Patients' Experiences of Compassion within Nursing Care (Bramley & Matiti, 2014)

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the study design, empirical themes, Watson's carative factors crosswalk, and relational inquiry principles from Bramley and Matiti (2014).

Compassion (Bramley & Matiti, 2014)

A fundamental element of nursing care—rather than an optional extra added after clinical tasks—experienced by patients through being recognized as individuals, receiving verbal and nonverbal communication, having dignity and independence protected, and sharing brief moments of genuine human connection.

Perspective-Taking

A practice strategy in which the nurse actively considers the emotional and psychological impact of care from the client's position, especially during intimate or unfamiliar clinical procedures.

Caring Occasion (Watson)

An encounter that occurs when a nurse enters a client's unique frame of reference (phenomenal field) and acts meaningfully, rather than merely carrying out or completing a clinical task.

Humanistic–Altruistic Values (Carative Factor 1)

Watson's carative factor defined as treating the client as an individual of inherent worth, rather than as an object or a workload item.

Faith–Hope (Carative Factor 2)

Watson's carative factor that centers on offering encouragement to patients facing illness, vulnerability, and a loss of personal independence.

Sensitivity to Self and Others (Carative Factor 3)

Watson's carative factor focused on noticing patient fear, embarrassment, and loneliness, as well as recognizing the nurse's own personal attitudes and emotional reactions.

Helping–Trusting Relationship (Carative Factor 4)

Watson's carative factor that builds interpersonal trust through physical presence, attentive listening, touch, reliability, and respectful communication, even during brief interactions.

Expression of Feelings (Carative Factor 5)

Watson's carative factor in which the nurse invites clients to voice emotional distress and responds constructively without judgment or dismissal.

Creative Problem-Solving (Carative Factor 6)

Watson's carative factor involving the individualization of patient care rather than the mechanical application of standardized routines without regard to personal experience.

Transpersonal Teaching–Learning (Carative Factor 7)

Watson's carative factor that entails explaining procedures in understandable language while learning from the client's personal expertise regarding their own needs.

Supportive, Protective Environment (Carative Factor 8)

Watson's carative factor requiring the preservation of patient privacy, safety, dignity, and emotional comfort, while acknowledging that staffing levels and ward culture directly impact care delivery.

Assistance with Human Needs (Carative Factor 9)

Watson's carative factor focused on providing timely, respectful assistance with fundamental physiological needs (such as toileting) while minimizing physical exposure and feelings of dependence.

Existential–Phenomenological Forces (Carative Factor 10)

Watson's carative factor oriented toward understanding what illness, hospitalization, and physical dependence mean from the individual client's specific perspective.

Thematic-Network Analysis

A qualitative analytical framework applied by Bramley and Matiti (2014) to analyze semi-structured interview data by organizing findings into basic, organizing, and global themes.

Knowing Me and Giving Me Your Time

The first empirical theme in Bramley and Matiti (2014), emphasizing personalized care, recognition of vulnerability during intimate tasks (such as bedpan use), and the profound value of brief, fleeting moments of genuine connection.

Understanding the Impact of Compassion—How It Feels in My Shoes

The second empirical theme in Bramley and Matiti (2014), reflecting client experiences of loneliness, emotional distress, and the acute negative impact of dismissive or uncaring staff encounters.

Being More Compassionate Through Communication and the Essence of Nursing

The third empirical theme in Bramley and Matiti (2014), focusing on interpersonal communication, bedside conduct, leadership influences, and the participant debate regarding whether compassion is innate or can be taught.

Relational Inquiry

A nursing approach that examines care beyond isolated actions by analyzing the interplay among intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual/systemic forces within clinical encounters.

Intrapersonal Factors (Relational Inquiry)

Internal experiences and emotional states affecting care, including patient feelings of pain, fear, embarrassment, or loss of control, alongside the nurse's personal assumptions, feelings, and time pressures.

Interpersonal Factors (Relational Inquiry)

Relational dynamics occurring between individuals—such as tone of voice, body positioning, eye contact, power imbalances, and active listening—that shape trust and dignity in clinical practice.

Contextual Factors (Relational Inquiry)

Systemic and environmental conditions—such as staffing ratios, workload constraints, leadership styles, team communication, and institutional performance metrics—that enable or inhibit the delivery of compassionate care.