Considering “the more” of patients suffering from alcohol use disorders. An illustration of acute nursing care from a lifeworld-led perspective

ABSTRACT

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to illustrate a theoretical value framework for humanisation of healthcare, a lifeworld-led care that has the potential to support nurses in acute medical units in addressing and meeting both challenges and care needs expressed by patients suffering from alcohol use disorders. Providing care to these patients means working with a very divergent and complex group of patients. When hospitalised in an acute medical unit, nurses are often these patients' first encounter, which gives a unique opportunity to initiate and establish a successful care alliance.

Method

 The present study is a qualitative study based on an amplified secondary analysis of 25 pre-conducted interviews. Following a hermeneutic approach, the analysis was structured in accordance with the conceptual value framework for humanisation of care, drawing on the recognition of the patients' lifeworld as an aspect of importance.

Findings

The study showed that while there were examples of humanising care guided by the patients’ lifeworld present, there were also situations of care that were dehumanising. Conclusion: When letting the patients’ perspective of well-being be the centre of care, the patients’ experience of meaningfulness and sincerity within the provided care was nurtured, and they felt more humanly met.

KEYWORDS:

• Acute nursing care
• nursing care
• alcohol use disorders
• substance abuse
• qualitative research
• lifeworld-led care
• nursing practice

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their gratitude to all participants in the studies for sharing their time and experiences. Hence, the research programme of ‘The Acute Patients’, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark

Author contributions

Study design and data collection were done by H.M.B.; analysis was done by H.M.B., and A.N.; manuscript preparation was done by H.M.B., M.L., and A.N. H.M.B., M.L., N.B., and A.N all agreed on the final version.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The study is a part of PhD project funded by a private foundation “Fiskerfonden” supporting care providers and nurses and assisting nurses and Aarhus University’s Research Supplement.

Notes on contributors

H. M. Bové

H. M. Bové, Ph.D. student, MScN, RN.

M. Lisby

M. Lisby, Associate Professor, Clinical specialist, Ph.D, MHSc, RN.

N. Brünés

N. Brünés, Consultant for the social nurses, RN.

A. Norlyk

A. Norlyk, Associate Professor, StudyDirector, Ph.D., MScN, RN.