Abstract
The purpose of this empirical paper is to shed light on the phenomenon of being touched in professional care practice. The study has a qualitative design and is a phenomenological hermeneutical exploration based on the story of a care provider. In her story, she describes how her interactions with a substance abuser touched her. The narrative data stems from dialogue with her colleagues and demonstrates a moral appeal and challenge in practical care. Investigations reveal that being touched is about allowing one’s self to be awakened by the suffering of others. Being touched by others’ suffering thus provides the ability “to see” what is at stake. Identifying with one’s suffering and the awareness of what is at risk may be factors that “tip” a person’s decision toward acting in the best interest of another person. Being touched may muster an individual’s courage to engage in “risk-taking” actions in care. This process paves the way to care and represent essential practical knowledge for health care professionals.
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The study was conducted according to the Law on Research Ethics and followed the key principle that all participation in research should be voluntary and that participants must provide their written consent. The study was registered with the Norwegian Social Sciences Data Service and was approved by the Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics. All procedures performed in the study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the regional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration.
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Solvoll, BA., Lindseth, A. The issue of being touched. Med Health Care and Philos 19, 299–306 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-015-9682-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-015-9682-1