PROFESSIONAL NURSE AND GENERIC CARE OF CHILDBIRTHING WOMEN CONCEPTUALIZED WITHIN LEININGER'S CULTURE CARE THEORY AND USING COLAIZZI'S PHENOMENOLOGICAL METHOD.
Contributors: Wayne State University.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 294
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Description: The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was discovery of the meanings of care/non-care as experienced by ten European-American women during childbirth. This research was conceptualized within Leininger's (1991) Theory of Culture Care which includes definitions of professional nurse and generic care and the significance of world view, cultural and social structure factors as the basis of embedded care. The research areas included: the woman's lived experiences of care/non-care from the professional nurse and from the generic caregiver(s); the phenomena of generic care by professional nurses; the congruence of these constructs with Leininger's theory; and the implications for nursing and for the care recipient. The descriptions of professional nurse care (non-care) and generic care (non-care) were analyzed using Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenologic method. Nine professional nurses were interviewed to discover the generic foundation of professional nurse caregiving.

The discovery of care universalities and diversities confirmed these tenets of Leininger's theory. Some of the universal professional nurse care patterns were: used cognitive and scientific knowledge, communicated understanding of women's experiences; enabled lay caregiver to participate actively; and used culture care accommodation. Universal generic professional nurse care patterns included: provided naturalistic/instinctual nurturing; and employed person-to-person care. Diverse generic professional nurse care modalities included: hugged the woman for comfort; and treated the woman as the nurse wanted when sick or birthing.

Universal generic care patterns included: provided loving care; used care patterns learned at home; used humor and chitchat; and used care modes similar to helping a sick child. Diverse generic care modalities included: preferred verbal modes to touch; and desired to help but unsure how. Additionally, the construct of encouragement was discovered.

It was discovered that professional nurse care arises from the integration and synthesis of generic care patterns into professional nurse care. The research findings confirmed Leininger's theoretical position; professional nurse care is based upon culturally learned generic practices and are necessary to culturally appropriate care. The results of this study can guide nurses to know the differences and similarities between generic and professional care. Nurses can cognitively use this knowledge with Leininger's theory for beneficial and satisfactory care of clients.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-02, Section: B, page: 0364.

Thesis (PH.D.)--WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY, 1993.

School code: 0254.