Promoting the Integration of Therapeutic Touch in Nursing Practice on an Inpatient Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive qualitative research was to explore experiences of nurses and patients on an inpatient oncology unit when nurses had time preserved for the exclusive offering of therapeutic touch (TT). Nine nurses participated in an educational program to learn the process of TT, but later identified busyness, difficulty centering, and lack of comfort asking colleagues for coverage as significant obstacles to integrating TT in practice. With dedicated time for TT three key findings emerged: TT as a vehicle for comfort, caring, and presence; a shift to the personhood of the patient and reawakening of the essence of nursing; and illumination of the power of linking practice, theory, and research.