Caring touch as communication in intensive care nursing: a qualitative study.

Purpose: This article describes intensive care nurses` experiences of using communicative caring touch as stroking the patient`s cheek or holding his hand. Our research question: "What do intensive care nurses communicate through caring touch?"

Methods: In this qualitative hermeneutically based study data from two intensive care units at Norwegian hospitals are analysed. Eight specialist nurses shared experiences through individual, semi-structured interviews.

Caring touch in intensive care nursing: a qualitative study.

Background: Historically, caring touch was integrated in targeted nursing acts as shoulder massage, calming patients or to check vital parameters by touching the patient`s skin. However, this phenomenon in intensive care nursing still lacks convincing descriptions. Caring touch is an important part of being an intensive care nurse and confirming the patient`s dignity.