title: The Nordic Tradition of Caring Science: The Works of Three Theorists.
abstract: The Nordic tradition of caring science has had a significant influence on healthcare research, healthcare education and clinical development in the Nordic countries from 1990 to the present. Theoretical contributions from the professors and scientists Katie Eriksson, Kari Martinsen and Karin Dahlberg form the basis for this paper. The tradition has established a paradigm of ethics, ontology and epistemology for the caring science domain. Short introductions present the scientific background of Eriksson, Martinsen, and Dahlberg, and show how interpretive teamwork has led to the formation of an intertwining of the essential qualities of the theories. The synthesis emphasizes caring science as a human science, and views caring as a natural phenomenon where the patient's world, vulnerability, health, and suffering are primary. In the art and act of caring, relationships and dialogue are essential; they provide parameters where caring becomes visible in its absence.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arman
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Mälardalens University, Eskilstuna, Sweden.
authors.forename: Albertine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranheim
authors.affiliation: Research & Development Coordinator, Forensic Psychiatric Regional Clinic, Vadstena, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rydenlund
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Linköping University, Norrköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Patrik
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rytterström
authors.affiliation: Professor, Stord/Haugesund University College, Stord, Norway.
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rehnsfeldt
mesh_terms: D004645:Empathy; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D009742:Nursing Theory; D028723:Personhood; D012537:Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; D012586:Science
keywords: Nordic tradition; caring science; health and suffering; patient’s world; theories