PDF (PhD Thesis) - UWE Research Repository - University of the ...

emotional and difficult events in their own personal lives, which often
remain unprocessed. What effect might that have on patient care? I
believe if the emotional aspects of caring for others remains unprocessed
then the nurse-patient relationship formed can be affected. This may result
in detached and uncaring attitudes, communication or behaviour.
Therefore, from the patient‘s perspective, a potentially less effective
therapeutic encounter is experienced.
During my degree, I was influenced by Carper‘s (1978) patterns of
knowing. This legitimised personal knowing as part of the knowledge
needed to support nursing care. Therefore, equally, central to my practice
both as a nurse and teacher has been the belief that everyone has a story
to tell. The work of Stockwell (1972) about the unpopular patient and
Menzies-Lyth‘s work (1960) about defences against anxiety both had a big
impact on my practice. Therefore, where possible I try to hear the story of
the person I have been caring for. It involves listening to the stories of their
lives, how their illness and experiences have shaped them while at the
same time providing physical care. In hearing their story I am also learning
about myself. Stories are a two way process. If I could have processed the
two experiences with John and Victor further, through reflection away from
the bedside, I now believe I would have been able to maximise my
learning opportunities much earlier. Prior to starting this PhD inquiry and
based on my experience and conversations with other nurses in the
classroom, I assumed that in the ward, stories would be shared. I
imagined at best, stories might be shared in the coffee room or later in the
pub with other nurses. Alternatively, they might be shared with family and
friends who may or may not have any experience of healthcare, or
perhaps they were never processed at all. Was reflective practice really
happening where it mattered?
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