ABSTRACT
Arman and Rehnsfelt’s (2007) study led them to conclude that ‘the essence of
uncaring was that patients were not seen as whole human beings and their existential
suffering was not noticed by caregivers’ (p. 373). Box 1.3 provides an example of
unkindness to a patient who was clearly vulnerable and the staff member, instead
of being understanding, was impatient and harsh. Halldorsdottir’s (1991) study
identified the detrimental effects of skills being implemented without a caring
context. Her in-depth interviews highlighted the vulnerability of patients who
found uncaring encounters with nurses were discouraging and distressing. Patients
described being initially puzzled and disbelieving, followed by feelings of anger and
resentment, and then despair and helplessness. She found that dependent people
being uncared for developed feelings of a sense of loss, and of being betrayed by
those counted on for caring. Non-caring nurses were described as being ‘cold human
beings, like computers’. Halldorsdottir described this feeling as ‘dehumanisation’, with
the person feeling that they have no value as a person and are ‘an object’: ‘I was . . . a
piece of dust on the floor’. The uncaring nurse, Halldorsdottir found, did carry out
the routine tasks but was perceived as not ‘caring about the patient as a person’. In
Thorsteinsson’s (2002) study, participants reported that poor-quality nursing care
made them feel angry and stressed. One person said: ‘It made me mad – I did not feel
that I deserved it. When you are in my position you are unable to defend yourself – it
was an unpleasant feeling.’
