title: The concept and relevance of existential issues in nursing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to illuminate and clarify the concept of existential issues in relation to nursing research and nursing practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article is a theoretical analysis of existential issues in relation to nursing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Existential issues are becoming more commonly discussed and investigated in nursing research. Thus, it is important to clarify the concept.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A clarification of existential issues may contribute to health care quality by increasing awareness of what existential issues are and drawing attention to the importance of discussing and reflecting on these issues, since practitioners in a caring profession will most likely encounter them.
authors.affiliation: Dalarna University, Department of Health and Social Studies, SE-791 88 Falun, Sweden. Electronic address: cud@du.se.
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Udo
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D004645:Empathy; D005060:Europe; D005086:Existentialism; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000523:psychology*; D015399:Nursing Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Death; Existential issues; Existential philosophy; Meaning