Abstract
The study was carried out at a surgery ward in Norway, November 1997 to January 1998. 12 patients were interviewed, 8 men and 4 women. The average age was 73,6 years. The study used a hermeneutical method. The participants had been trough a relatively big operation in the colon-rectum area. Most of them were in need of help to body care. They were interviewed once, about 1–2 weeks after surgery. The study indicate that technology don't need to hinder the experience of good nursing. The patients seemed to have a deep force towards independence, and they seemed to appreciate the nurse being slightly paternalistic. They didn't experience the nursing situation as sexual, and didn't seem to feel embarrassed when undressed, but one woman and one man wouldn't be nursed by men. Tree of four women expressed scepticism towards male nurses. The scepticism seemed to disappear when they had experienced male nurses in concrete situations. All the patients, except from two men, would be happy to be massaged at the back and on the feet. The patients didn't seem to pay much attention to the nurses hands.
They had difficulties in separating the hands from the total nursing-relation. The nurses were welcome to use more humour. The majority of the patients expressions indicate satisfaction with the nursing they received, although they experienced the nurses as very busy persons.