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Views on Nurses' Understanding of a Holistic Approach to Nursing : A Qualitative Review and Thematic Analysis

Wihlborg, Monne LU and Björklund, Maria LU orcid (2024) In International Journal of Caring Sciences 17(2). p.638-654
Abstract
It is assumed that nursing is performed on a scientific knowledge-based approach toward patients that considers the wellbeing of the whole person. The meaning and understanding are essential
when conceptualizing the idea of caring for the whole person and how this is applied by nurses in
healthcare. However, the meaning and understanding of holism varies widely according to research. The aim of this study was to show how a holistic approach is comprehended in studies about nurses’ views to nursing. The study’s design adopts an inductive interpretive approach. We conducted a qualitative literature review based on empirical, peer-reviewed studies retrieved from CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE and PsycInfo (EbscoHost). In all 126 papers were... (More)
It is assumed that nursing is performed on a scientific knowledge-based approach toward patients that considers the wellbeing of the whole person. The meaning and understanding are essential
when conceptualizing the idea of caring for the whole person and how this is applied by nurses in
healthcare. However, the meaning and understanding of holism varies widely according to research. The aim of this study was to show how a holistic approach is comprehended in studies about nurses’ views to nursing. The study’s design adopts an inductive interpretive approach. We conducted a qualitative literature review based on empirical, peer-reviewed studies retrieved from CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE and PsycInfo (EbscoHost). In all 126 papers were included for full text review, 17 papers were eligible for thematic analysis representing a variation in views on a holistic approach to nursing. Findings showed three different approaches: ontological-philosophical oriented: partnership/alliance oriented: help and need oriented. Interpreting the findings through the lens of Heidegger’s view on holism - moving from a needs approach to towards a consciousness view, suggests that a deeper ontological awareness is needed to avoid a reductionist understanding of holism related to nursing. A higher degree of complexity in holistic thinking and reflection by visualizing an outcome based on a holistic meaning is suggested.
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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Nurse's understanding, nurse's perspectives, holism, holistic
in
International Journal of Caring Sciences
volume
17
issue
2
pages
638 - 654
ISSN
1792-037X
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
68d9bf39-513f-4262-a994-6cfb4f2fda29
alternative location
https://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/2-1.wihlborg.pdf
date added to LUP
2024-09-10 14:10:59
date last changed
2025-06-04 08:27:01
@article{68d9bf39-513f-4262-a994-6cfb4f2fda29,
  abstract     = {{It is assumed that nursing is performed on a scientific knowledge-based approach toward patients that considers the wellbeing of the whole person. The meaning and understanding are essential<br/>when conceptualizing the idea of caring for the whole person and how this is applied by nurses in<br/>healthcare. However, the meaning and understanding of holism varies widely according to research. The aim of this study was to show how a holistic approach is comprehended in studies about nurses’ views to nursing. The study’s design adopts an inductive interpretive approach. We conducted a qualitative literature review based on empirical, peer-reviewed studies retrieved from CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE and PsycInfo (EbscoHost). In all 126 papers were included for full text review, 17 papers were eligible for thematic analysis representing a variation in views on a holistic approach to nursing. Findings showed three different approaches: ontological-philosophical oriented: partnership/alliance oriented: help and need oriented. Interpreting the findings through the lens of Heidegger’s view on holism - moving from a needs approach to towards a consciousness view, suggests that a deeper ontological awareness is needed to avoid a reductionist understanding of holism related to nursing. A higher degree of complexity in holistic thinking and reflection by visualizing an outcome based on a holistic meaning is suggested. <br/>}},
  author       = {{Wihlborg, Monne and Björklund, Maria}},
  issn         = {{1792-037X}},
  keywords     = {{Nurse's understanding; nurse's perspectives; holism; holistic}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{638--654}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Caring Sciences}},
  title        = {{Views on Nurses' Understanding of a Holistic Approach to Nursing : A Qualitative Review and Thematic Analysis}},
  url          = {{https://www.internationaljournalofcaringsciences.org/docs/2-1.wihlborg.pdf}},
  volume       = {{17}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}