J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  1995 Dec;2(2):183-197.

The Study on the Characteristic of Physical Touch in Caring Situation

• Chang SO

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate the characteristic of physical touch in caring situation. The subjects of this study were adults in caring situation, therefore they were composed of 7 patients, 6 nurses, 3 doctors, 3 pharmacologists, 3 men in paramedicine area, 3 nursing educators and 13 normal general adults. The datas were gathered through nonstructured questionnaire from June, 20th to September, 15th in 1995. The datas were subjects' descriptions about the intention, perception, and form of physical touch in caring situation and analyse by content analysis. The results as follow : The datas were divided into four areas. There were the situation being necessitated the physical touch, meaning of physical touch, form of physical touch and perception about physical touch in caring situation. The situation being necessitated physical touch were the situation that required physical treatment, to deliver the active expression of concern about the patients, to determine the treatment due to the identification of physical condition of patients and to induce the psychological equilibrium into patient's mind. The meanings of physical touch in caring situation were #NAME? #NAME? -interpersonal affectionate relation that the intentions were to deliver the understanding of patient's pain, were to delivery the meaning to the patient not be alone. The forms of physical touch in caring situation were none invasive forms just like laying hands on hand, head, shoulder, gentle knocking on the shoulder or back, massage of legs and back and finger pressure on acupuncture points. The perception of physical touch in caring situation divided into two parts. In family, the perceptions of physical touch in caring situation were to promote health status because physical touch induce the psychological peace, and to evoke the importance of relationship among family members. In relation with care giver, perception of physical touch in caring situation were inevitable process in treatment, and to deliver the trust and concern about patients.

MeSH Terms

Acupuncture Points
Adult
Caregivers
Fingers
Hand
Head
Humans
Intention
Leg
Male
Massage
Nursing
Surveys and Questionnaires
Shoulder