Beziehungsarbeit in der ambulanten Kinderkrankenpflege - Eine phänomenologische Untersuchung des Spannungsfeldes von Nähe und Distanz.

Relationship-work in outpatient pediatric nursing - a phenomenological study of the field of tension of proximity and distance Abstract. Background: Outpatient pediatric nursing makes it possible to care for seriously ill children in the environment of their families. Professional caregivers are facing specific challenges because of their work within the family and the 1:1 care. Objective: The study asks about experiencing the tension between proximity and distance of caregivers in outpatient pediatric nursing. Methods: Nine narrative interviews with pediatric nurses in the outpatient setting were conducted which were then analyzed following Spichiger und Prakke's approach of interpretative phenomenology. Results: Thus the main topics "Outpatient pediatric nursing as a special nursing setting", "Adaptation to the family system", "Proximity and distance as criteria of professionalism", "Proximity and distance as constant tightrope walk", "Handling stressful situations" and "Time factor as an essential component of the relationship structure" could be identified to describe the phenomenon. Conclusion: Creating awareness for the specifics of this particular field of practice already during the training phase and when entering an outpatient nursery service can help to prepare them for their assignment. Caregivers should be given the space to talk about the relationship-work with the patients, in order to enable reflection of their professional role. A clear idea of that role with regards to who has to fulfill which tasks and issues of responsibilities seems to be helpful. Perhaps the term proximity and distance does not represent the pertinent poles of the relationship between nurses and caregivers.