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This study aimed to describe patients' perspectives on their experience in osteopathic treatment, to contribute toward developing interpretative models on effectiveness. A descriptive phenomenological approach was used. The data were collected through a semistructured interview. To capture the variability of the phenomenon, a purposive sample of 12 participants with previous experience of osteopathic care was selected. The data analysis was carried out in an inductive way, and it was parallel to the recruitment to continuously monitor the data saturation. Data saturation was reached with 12 participants (female = 9; male = 3). Participants' age ranged from 27 to 82 years old (mean: 55.25 ± 17.15; median: 59; kurtosis: -0.82). Participants had different reasons for consultation. The analysis showed 1 overarching theme, "Osteopathy is a path of awareness," 3 themes, and 12 categories. Themes were: (1) "The experience of pain produces awareness of the need for care," (2) "Osteopathy is a journey to be shared over time," and (3) "The effectiveness of the osteopathic treatment is the discovery of the person's unity by experience." Participants affirm that osteopathy is a path of awareness that starts from an experience of pain; leads them to contact an osteopath; and ends with their experience of the unity of body, mind, and spirit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a practice, nursing centers on patients' bodies and how they live the experience of illness and disability through their bodies (embodiment). International nursing studies conducted on the topic of body care primarily include theoretical studies, whereas empirical studies remain sparse. The aim of this study was to describe nurses' perceptions of the role of their bodies and the bodies of patients during body care. This study used a descriptive phenomenological study based on Husserl's philosophical perspective. A purposive sample of 11 Italian registered nurses representing the highest level of nursing education, different clinical experience levels, and different clinical specialties were interviewed. Data were collected between July 2015 and September 2015. Open-ended interviews were analyzed using Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method. Lincoln and Guba's strategies were used to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. In addition to the overarching theme, "Body care is the heart of nursing," 4 major themes with 13 subthemes emerged from the data. The 4 major themes were as follows: (1) "Body care encompasses the essence of person"; (2) "Body care touches the heart of person"; (3) "The body generates opposite strategies of care"; and (4) "In time, the body 'nourishes' the helping relationship." Nurses considered body and embodiment concepts central to nursing. Body care is treated as an experience with extraordinary emotional contents, allowing nurses to discover the essentials of human nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Increasing burden of cancer in Europe and socio-demographic trends imply that more cancer patients will face high levels of dependency. Care dependency is often perceived as a distressing experience by cancer patients who are concerned about becoming a burden to others. The experience of care dependence has been scarcely investigated in advanced cancer patients, especially in the hospital setting. This study aimed at describing advanced cancer patients' experiences of care dependence in hospital and of the factors perceived by them as contributing to decrease or increase this dependence. Methods The study used a descriptive phenomenological approach based on Husserl's (1913) life world perspective. Data collection and analysis followed Giorgi's (1997) five basic methodological steps. Data were gathered by semi-structured interviews with thirteen advanced cancer adult inpatients of a teaching hospital. The interviews were audio-recorded and the recordings transcribed word for word. Results Three themes emerged: ‘dependency discovers new meanings of life’, ‘active coping with dependency’ and ‘the care cures the dependent person’. The essential meaning of care dependency was the possibility to become aware of being a person as both an object and subject of care. Conclusion Dependence appears as an experience with strong relational connotations, which enable patients to see differently their life, themselves, the world and others. Dependency is revealed as a natural experience, only partly in accordance with previous studies. Deeper insight into the meaning patients attach to care dependency can enable nurses to better meet the patient's needs, e.g. by improving caring relationships with patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding students' experiences with regard to older adults is important for educators in developing specific educational strategies to encourage future healthcare professionals to consider the geriatric field as a career choice. The study explored Italian university healthcare students' experiences with older people and their perceptions of them at the beginning of their course. A qualitative descriptive design. A Faculty of Medicine in Italy. A sample of 15 students enrolled in healthcare courses was included. Semistructured interviews were conducted. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Six categories were identified. The young Italian students' first experiences with older adults were with their grandparents, representing their first models of aging. Grandparents were sources of emotional support. Older adults were seen as custodians of collective memory and as a guide for younger generations. The intergenerational relationship was characterized by respect and reciprocity. Young adults recognize the frailty and vulnerability of older adults and view intergenerational solidarity as a way to protect them. They imagined their own old age as characterized by strong family relationships and by active aging, due to their personal experience with their grandparents. This study revealed mainly positive experiences and attitudes of healthcare students toward older adults. The students' relationships with their grandparents contributed greatly to this outcome. • For Italian young adults the grandparents are the first significant models of aging. • Older people are custodians of collective memory and guides for younger generations. • The intergenerational relationship is characterized by respect and reciprocity. • The intergenerational solidarity can protect frail and vulnerable older people. • Italian young people imagine their old age similar to that of their grandparents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]