Making the invisible visible - operating theatre nurses’ perceptions of caring in perioperative
practice
Sammanfattning
The aim of this study was to describe operating theatre nurses’ (OTNs’) perceptions of caring in
perioperative practice. A qualitative descriptive design was performed. Data were collected with
interviews were carried out with fifteen strategically selected operating theatre nurses from different
operating theatres in the middle of Sweden. A phenomenographic analysis was used to analyse the
interviews. The findings show that operating theatre nurses’ perceptions of caring in perioperative
practice can be summarised in one main category: To follow the patient all the way. Two descriptive
categories emerged: To ensure continuity of patient care and keeping a watchful eye. The operating
theatre nurses got to know the patient and as a result became responsible for the patient. They
protected the patient's body and preserved patient dignity in perioperative practice. The findings
show different aspects of caring in perioperative practice. OTNs wanted to be more involved in
patient care and follow the patient throughout the perioperative nursing process. Although OTNs have
the ambition to make the care in perioperative practice visible, there is today a medical technical
approach which promotes OTNs continuing to offer care in secret. Published by arrangement with
John Wiley & Sons.