An explanatory study on the concept of nursing presence from the perspective of patients admitted to hospitals

Aims and objectives To clarify the concept of nursing presence through patients’ perception. Background The holistic caring process at the bedside must incorporate the concept of nursing presence. Most of the research about nursing presence is based on nurses’ experiences, and research into patients’ experiences is minimal. According to goals of patient centredness, the association between the patient satisfaction and nursing presence, and patients’ ability to understand this concept, it is important to explore this concept from the patients’ perspective. Design A qualitative approach. Methods Based on purposive sampling technique, 12 patients were recruited. After participant observation, 15 interviews were carried out with participants. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using conventional qualitative content analysis. Results Five main categories were drawn from the data including informed concentration, task‐centred/patient‐centred relationship, clarification of meanings, comprehensive participation and accountable encounter. Data analysis alongside the authors’ reflections resulted in the emergence of one overarching theme, ‘coconstructed interaction’, which shows the notion that effective nurse–patient interaction enhances cooperation, coordination and collaboration in caring and improves nursing outcomes. Conclusions Accordingly, the nursing presence would be ideal for patient‐centred caring. Relevance to clinical practice Knowing the perspectives of patients is important as the evaluation of nursing care quality should rely on outcome indicators that are sensitive to patients. For instance, client satisfaction and health status acceptance, especially as it relates to coping, comfort level, hope, and participation in decision‐making, are included in the nursing outcomes’ classification system. Thus, the findings of this study may facilitate improvement in the quality of care by continuous improvement in knowledge, attitudes and abilities of nurses. It is therefore recommended that managers and clinical nurses, by relying on these findings, design the caring activities so that nurses’ presence can act as a facilitating factor for improving quality assurance.