A source of strength--nurses' perspectives of the perioperative dialogue.
OBJECTIVE
To describe nurse anaesthetists' and theatre nurses' experiences of working with the perioperative dialogue.


BACKGROUND
A new way of working in the perioperative context is the 'perioperative dialogue model', which is the meeting between the nurse and the patient before, during and after a patient's surgery.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 nurses, trained in working with the perioperative dialogue. Data were analysed according to grounded theory.


RESULTS
One core category, 'source of strength', and two main categories, 'walking together' and 'creating a caring relation', were defined. These represented factors in developing nurses' work and professional competence. The nurses became more committed to their work when they came to know the person beyond the character of the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
The perioperative dialogue is a source of strength to the nurses. It is necessary that the organization supports nurses in this new way of working.
Rudolfsson
Gudrun
G
The Nordic School of Public Health, Göteborg, Sweden. gudrun.rudolfsson@telia.com
Ringsberg
Karin C
KC
von Post
Iréne
I
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009719:Nurse Anesthetists / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009871:Operating Room Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden