Foundation of Humanistic Nursing Theory
Logic of Phenomenological Methodology
METHODOLOGY-A PROCESS OF BEING
Humanistic Nursing Theory:
A Phenomenological Approach
Chapter Seven
Humanistic Nursing Theory: A Phenomenological Approach
Dr. Zderad wrote in this chapter that development of humanistic nursing theory must grow by the sharing of each nurse's unique, and individual view. Phenomenological nursing theory cannot develop any other way. In the previous chapter Dr. Paterson related that those outside of nursing can only relate by observation and it is only nurses that can advance nursing theory. Just as clinical situations require dialogue, theory also must advance with dialogue, it does not occur in a vacuum
Dr. Zderad wrote that nurses deprecate their experiences but this is just where the value is; the uniqueness of the human experience. There is no right, wrong, great or little value, it is all of worth. The phenomenological description is an absolute necessity in building theory...."it is the most crucial and immediate need." Paterson and Zderad named their theory "humanistic" nursing as it was easier to say, write, understand and relate than phenomenological approach to nursing. Humanistic, phenomenological, and existential nursing form a triad of interrelatedness.
The phenomenological method of studying disciplines is not limited to nursology but is useful as it allows for a variety of perspectives and, more to the point, it thrives with creativeness.
Recall that the first and second phases were preparation in coming to know and knowing intuitively? This is where one must have a spirit of receptivity and a readiness for the experience as well as an understanding of one's own biases. "The methodological process is subjective-objective and intuitive-analytic....More specifically, the method entails an intuitive grasp of the phenomenon, analytic examination of its occurrences, synthesis, and description "(P & Z, pg. 79). This process may or may not be linear, in that, this process may occur simultaneously or in any order in any time frame.
Intuitive grasp of the situation may occur from a little tickle on the edge of one's consciousness to an epiphany that stops one cold. This is not a dialogical process but rather one of simply knowing or recognition of something. This occurrence is clear and distinct. Promotion of this ability can be nurtured and developed. In part this is done by being unfettered with habituation and routine. Promotion of this is also done by bracketing, a hold in abeyance, of one's prejudices and angular views as much as is humanly possible. Active and passive experiences are different. Part of an intuitive grasp of the other's experience is to place oneself (figuratively) in their place. This awareness of the experience may be active on the nurse's part and passive on the patient's end, an example may be giving a bed bath. Both experience motion, touch, smell, but the perspective is different. Another part of the intuitive grasp of the other's experience is to view the experience objectively or subjectively. Objectively the person shows evidence of pain during the bath. Subjectively, the nurse does not feel the pain but through an intuitive grasp of the experience the nurse will know and have empathy for the patient of the pain experienced even though no dialogue between patient and nurse takes place.
Given this scenario, when the phenomena is experienced intuitively, other known similar experiences need to be brought to the surface of the mind for the sake of analysis, synthesis and description. Dr. Zderad wrote that techniques for doing this include comparing and contrasting instances of the phenomenon that leads to similarities and differences. A variety of instances are then studied to realize the common elements. These elements are studied to see their interrelatedness.
Description of the phenomena is done by gathering central elements from each of the phenomena. This methodology is accomplished by describing positive elements or observing the lack of such elements in each phenomena. Analogies are frequently used to describe these transactions as well as use of metaphors. While these techniques lack precision, this is where best fit and the beauty of qualitative research resides.
