The “patient body”, from object to subject of care: embondiment and caring touch

Abstract

BACKGROUND:
Can the nursing profession exist without touching the patient? How do you touch a body? Can contact be considered a patient need? Even today, this topic is poorly discussed both in clinical practice and in research. Physical contact is an essential, fundamental aspect; through the latter,  professional enters into a relationship with the intimate, physical and psychological space of the person.

AIM:
Investigate the importance and effects of the use of nursing contact.

METHODS:
Literature review throught Pubmed, MSAL, FNOPI, Regione Abruzzo, AGENAS, CESPI and Gazzetta ufficiale consultation, using the following keywords: «nurse touch», «contact in nursing», «need for contact», «touch therapy», «touch evaluation scales», «caring touch», «benefits of touch in nursing».

RESULTS:
Caring touch is recognized by the WHO as complementary nursing care with multiple benefits for the patient, professional and company. It is also recognized as a relational nursing skill in 2014 through a company resolution at the TorVergata Polyclinic and implemented in some regions. The most recent implementation in the Sant'Andrea University Hospital in Rome dates back to February 2023.

CONCLUSIONS:
From the work it emerged that, although nursing skills of a relational nature are recognized by Ministerial Decree 739/94, only in some regions/companies and universities is the caring touch technique implemented/widespread. NANDA recommends, among the nursing interventions for Nursing Diagnosis “Unbalanced energy field” and “Risk of loneliness” the caring touch. Nonetheless, to date, it is rarely used and requires greater emphasis. It’s authors’ hope this knowledge will be further expanded by including training/implementation of touch as a work and well-being tool.