title: The use of mirrors in critical care nursing.
abstract: There is no known literature to guide the critical care nurse in the use of mirrors in patient care. This article explores how the author came to believe that mirrors were essential to nursing practice. Misconceptions and assumptions concerning mirrors are explored. A framework that conceptually explores the experience of viewing self in the mirror from the perspective of a person is presented. Five situations in which the mirror may be used in critical care are discussed. This article does not present an authoritative view on mirrors in nursing; rather, it is an invitation to dialogue about a unique element in the environment that may be used to enhance nursing care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Woman's University, Institute of Health Sciences-Houston Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. wyonaf@comcast.net
authors.forename: Wyona M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Freysteinson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008297:Male; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D055096:Optical Devices; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010360:Patient Transfer; D020238:Prosopagnosia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment; D055815:Young Adult