title: Sensing kuuki among visiting nurses.
abstract: This study aimed to explore how visiting nurses in Japan sense Kuuki (mood or atmosphere) in the homes of patients and families. Participants were 15 Japanese visiting nurses with experience sensing kuuki in homes of patients and families. Data were collected through two 90 min focus group interviews with experienced visiting nurses, and a qualitative content analysis was performed. The qualitative analysis showed that experienced visiting nurses sensed kuuki in eight ways. Kuuki differs based on type of illness, state of health and number of visits. Sensitivity to kuuki is thought to be linked to understanding of patient and family feelings, changes in the physical condition of patients and evaluation of nursing care delivery. Perception of kuuki also contributes to care planning especially on the very first home visit and when visiting terminally ill patients.
authors.affiliation: Doctoral Student, Chiba University Graduate School of Nursing, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shimamura
authors.affiliation: Professor, Chiba University Graduate School of Nursing, Japan.
authors.forename: Sayuri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suwa
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Chiba University Graduate School of Nursing, Japan.
authors.forename: Mayuko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsujimura
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D064650:Home Health Nursing; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D012931:Social Environment
keywords: Japan; expert nursing; kuuki; non-verbal communication; nurse-patient relation; visiting nursing