Aesthetics in nursing practice as experienced by nurses in Indonesia: A phenomenological study

Background: While aesthetics in nursing practice brings out the beauty in nursing, studies regarding how aesthetics are implemented in practice are lacking. Objective: To describe the meanings of aesthetics in nursing practice experienced by nurses in Indonesia. Methods: This qualitative study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological approach based on Gadamerian philosophy. Thirteen nurses were asked to reflect on their experiences of providing aesthetics in their practice through drawing, followed by individual face-to-face interviews. Data were collected in a public hospital in West Sumatra, Indonesia. The interview transcripts and the pictures were analysed following van Manen’s approach. Results: Five thematic categories were revealed: 1) Engaging in caring for persons; 2) Full of compassion; 3) Sympathetic place of care; 4) A joyful time of care; and 5) Distracting the inconvenience in care. Conclusion: Aesthetics in nursing practice is understood and experienced by Indonesian nurses in various ways, not only limited to the visual beauty, cleanness or tidiness of nursing intervention, but are expressed in other ways within caring, including providing care with compassion, applying the art of communication, relieving the pain, and applying innovation in care. These findings can be used to inform nurses in practising aesthetic nursing for enhancing the quality of care. Funding: Faculty of Nursing Research Grant, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.

Experiencia vivida del primer contacto con muerte en prácticas clínicas de estudiantes de enfermería

Introduction: Death is a complex phenomenon, nurses in training may face the process of dying and death of people, which can generate diverse situations that represent their lived experiences. Objective: To understand the lived experience of the first contact with death during clinical practicum of nursing students at a public university.Methodology: Qualitative study with phenomenological approach. It was conducted from October 2020 to February 2021. Selection of participants by intentional sampling with information saturation with seven participants. Data collection through phenomenological interview; participants gave informed consent. The analysis was carried out through the three phases of Max Van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological method (description, interpretation, description plus interpretation). Results: The students refer to having been faced with the phenomenon in a state of helplessness, blockage, uncertainty, and fear; as well as facing death in a professional and reflective manner in order to provide quality care. Discussion: Death is a natural process; however, the first experiences are diverse and can produce in the students a set of emotions that condition their capacity to act, the way of adapting and observing the needs that arise during this experience. Conclusion: The experiences of nursing students show that they have difficulties in facing death, but it was not an impediment to provide the necessary care; it is considered that a deeper preparation on the process of dying can be favorable for their performance as professionals. Introducción: La muerte es un fenómeno complejo, las enfermeras en formación pueden enfrentarse al proceso de morir y muerte de personas, lo que puede generar diversas situaciones que representan sus experiencias vividas. Objetivo: Comprender la experiencia vivida ante el primer contacto con la muerte durante prácticas clínicas de estudiantes de enfermería de una universidad pública.Metodología: Estudio cualitativo con enfoque fenomenológico. Se llevó a cabo de octubre del 2020 a febrero del 2021. Selección de participantes por muestreo intencional con saturación de información con siete participantes. Recolección de datos a través de entrevista fenomenológica; los participantes emitieron su consentimiento informado. El análisis se llevó a cabo por las tres fases del método fenomenológico hermenéutico de Max Van Manen (descripción, interpretación, descripción más interpretación). Resultados: Los estudiantes refieren haber estado frente al fenómeno en un estado de impotencia, bloqueo, incertidumbre y miedo; así como afrontaron la muerte de manera profesional y reflexiva para brindar cuidado de calidad. Discusión: La muerte es un proceso natural, sin embargo, las primeras experiencias son diversas y pueden producir en los estudiantes un conjunto de emociones que condicionan su capacidad de actuar, el modo de adaptarse y observar las necesidades surgidas durante esta experiencia. Conclusión: Las experiencias de los estudiantes de enfermería demuestran que tienen dificultades para afrontar la muerte, pero no fue un impedimento para brindar los cuidados necesarios; se considera que una preparación más profunda sobre el proceso de morir puede ser favorable para su actuar como profesional.

Hermeneutic Phenomenology

In this chapter, the qualitative research methodology known as hermeneutic phenomenology was explored beginning with a brief historical overview of phenomenology and hermeneutic phenomenology followed by a conceptualization of hermeneutic phenomenology. As elements of the hermeneutic phenomenological research process were explored, practical applications were provided as exemplars of each component of the process including participant selection, the hermeneutic circle, forestructures, data collection, management, and analysis. These application exemplars were presented in italics and labeled as applications. Attempts were made to contextualize the methodology in ways understandable to doctoral students seeking a methodological framework within which to situate their own research. Finally, sample completed studies utilizing hermeneutic phenomenology were referenced.

Digital Assessment Experiences in Mathematics under Modular Distance Learning

Modular distance learning is indispensable and using digital assessment as a method to measure students' progress is essential as the Philippines education system shifted from face to face classes to distance learning this time of pandemic. The main purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of the students about digital assessment in mathematics under modular distance learning. This study utilized Qualitative Research Design, Hermeneutic Phenomenological method which involved 15 students. There were four emerging categories and eventually formed nine major themes:(1) Educational Involvement (2) Learners Engagement (3) Support (4) Educational Tool Refinement. While the emerging major themes were 1) students experience digital assessment tool predicament in mathematics (2) difficulty grasping the topic through teachers’ instructional method (3) students have a proclivity to engage in academic dishonesty (4) procrastination and cramming are common among students during exams (5) learners have become passive to their own learning development (6) students' internet connections at home are inadequate (7) students are unable to focus during the exam as a result of the destructive environment (8) Digital Assessment tool commendation and new preference is evident among the students (9) Students have learned to appreciate the worth of their time and work. Keywords: Modular Distance Learning, Digital Assessment.

Viewing the image? Ultrasound examination during abortion preparations, ethical challenges

During preparation for early abortion in Norway, an ultrasound examination is usually performed to determine gestation and viability. This article aims to provide a deeper understanding of women’s and health care personnel’s (HCP) experiences with ultrasound viewing during abortion preparation in the first trimester. Qualitative in-depth interviews with women who had been prepared for early abortion and focus group interviews with HCP from gynaecological units were carried out. A hermeneutic-phenomenological analysis, inspired by van Manen, was chosen. Thirteen women who were pregnant and considering abortion in their first trimester and 20 HCP, namely, 19 registered nurses and one medical doctor, were recruited from gynaecological units at six hospitals. The study was approved by the ethics committee (2014/1276). The essential meaning structure of ‘autonomy under pressure’ consisted of two themes that expressed the different experiences of both the women and the HCP, namely, expectations versus precautions and choice versus protection. The women and HCP expressed different attitudes before the consultation that affected their experiences of the ultrasound examination. While the women had expectations of a clarification based on their choice to either see or not see the ultrasound image, HCP seemed to be more concerned with predetermined rules that they believed would protect the women. Consequently, the basis for dialogue was not optimal, and women’s autonomy was under pressure. Health care personnel are ethically challenged during preabortion ultrasound examinations. Meeting the individual woman’s needs and respecting her autonomy during preparation for abortion requires sensitivity, involvement, and dialogue skills by health personnel. According to the woman’s desire to be informed about the possibility of viewing the image during the abortion preparations, a dialogue that is focused in this direction should arise before the examination.

Developing a Brief Tele-Psychotherapy Model for COVID-19 Patients and Their Family Members

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic is negatively impacting the mental health of COVID-19 patients and family members. Given the restrictions limiting in person contact to reduce the spread of the virus, a digital approach is needed to tackle the psychological aftermath of the pandemic. We present the development of a brief remote psychotherapy program for COVID-19 patients and/or their relatives.Methods: We first reviewed the literature on psychotherapeutic interventions for COVID-19 related symptoms. Based on this evidence, we leveraged ongoing clinical experiences with COVID-19 survivors and family members to design an intervention model that could be disseminated and integrated into the workflow of the mental health system.Results: This 8-session model –inspired by constructivist and hermeneutic-phenomenological therapies– serves COVID-19 patients during hospitalization, remission and recovery. This model can also be delivered to people dealing with the COVID-19 hospitalization/discharge of a family member, or the loss of a family member due to COVID-19.Conclusion: We described a remote psychotherapeutic approach to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic psychological aftermath. To date, the approach seems feasible and highly customizable to patients’ needs. Studies are underway to test its preliminary efficacy. Once proven efficacious, this treatment model could provide a blueprint for future tele-psychology wide-scale interventions.

Conceptualizing the Value of Aging: What is it Like to Be An Older Woman in the 21st Century?

The basis for this hermeneutic phenomenological research was to identify common themes in women 65 years of age and older and determine whether these women felt valued in ageing. The best description of this research becomes the study of the phenomena as real living or “entering the lifeworld “(Finlay, 2012). The research sought to increase the knowledge of how older women feel about their own ageing and the effect of society’s response to them. The participants covered a large age range of 66 to 93 years of age all of which experienced physical, emotional, and social changes involving age. The participants' response to these changes of ageing and society’s response to them ranged from very positive to very distressing. Twelve women were interviewed from a vast range of locations throughout the United States through zoom due to COVID 19. Their responses reflect four main categories: ageism, successful ageing, active engagement, and social support. The interviews focused on seven main questions: Tell me about being your age? Is there a time you can recall when you first felt older? Have you ever felt mistreated as an older adult? Have you ever felt you were discounted or ignored as being an older woman? Have you done anything to maintain your youth? Have you done anything to feel youthful? Have you ever felt dismissed related to your age? Utilizing seven questions and the conversation with these questions brought forth this study. This became a platform for these women to tell their stories.