title: The I-C-A-C framework: uncovering patients' experiences.
abstract: The use of metaphors to enhance nursing knowledge and intervention has not been thoroughly addressed in a Chinese context. Use of metaphors helps people transform feelings from the inexpressible to the expressible, to revise their view of their own strengths from unaware to aware, and to expand a one-dimensional view to a multifaceted one. Based on the therapeutic essence of metaphors, this article proposes the I-C-A-C framework on the use of metaphors, with a case example given to illustrate how nurses can help uncover patients' illness experiences. The I-C-A-C framework has four strategies: I - Inviting the patients to create and share their metaphors; C - Creating many meanings for the metaphors; A - Analysing the metaphors; amd C - Connecting the patients' metaphors to their personal context. Limitations and implications of the framework for nursing practice are suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, United College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. zehippo@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Zenobia C Y
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D001364:Awareness; D003210:Concept Formation; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D019365:Metaphor; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012803:Sick Role