Abstract
Aim: This study explores how seriously ill hospitalized patients' experience and assign meaning to their patient room. Background: Modern hospitals and the rational underlying care and treatment of today have their emphasis on diagnosis, cure and treatment. Consequently, aesthetics in the patient rooms such as a view of nature or natural light entering the room are often neglected in caring for these patients. Method: A phenomenological-hermeneutic study design was applied and data was collected through multiple qualitative interviews combined with observations at a teaching hospital in Denmark. Twelve patients participated. Findings: The findings show that a view of nature and natural light in the form of sunlight or daylight in the patient room play a significant role in creating positive and supportive thoughts and emotions in the seriously ill patients. Three themes were identified: (i) Experiencing inner peace and an escape from negative thoughts, (ii) Experiencing a positive mood and hope and (iii) Experiencing good memories. Conclusion: Our findings highlight aesthetic sensory impressions in the form of nature sights and natural light in the patient room as a powerful source of well-being, relief and hope for the patients during serious illness. Therefore, these sensory impressions should be thought of as holding palliative potential and should be included as a part of caring for the seriously ill patients.
Originalsprog | Engelsk |
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Tidsskrift | Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences |
Vol/bind | 29 |
Udgave nummer | 3 |
Sider (fra-til) | 426-434 |
ISSN | 0283-9318 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - sep. 2015 |