Open AccessHospital meals are existential asylums to hospitalized people with a neurological disease: A phenomenological–hermeneutical explorative study of the meaningfulness of mealtimes
Author(s) -
Beck Malene,
Birkelund Regner,
Poulsen Ingrid,
Martinsen Bente
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
nursing open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.55
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2054-1058
DOI - 10.1002/nop2.246
Subject(s) - existentialism , feeling , hermeneutic phenomenology , psychology , phenomenon , disease , university hospital , hermeneutics , lived experience , medicine , psychotherapist , social psychology , family medicine , philosophy , epistemology
Aim Hospital meals are challenging for neurological patients. Patients struggle with both physical eating disabilities and social issues during mealtimes. The aim of this study was to examine the meaningfulness of the phenomenon of hospital meals for hospitalized patients with a neurological disease. Design Interviews ( N = 23) with neurological patients were analysed and interpreted to gain in‐depth comprehensive knowledge of the phenomenon of hospital mealtimes. Method Data were analysed and interpreted in a three‐phased process using a phenomenological–hermeneutic approach inspired by Paul Ricouer. Results Four themes were identified: (a) A lonely ride together with others; (b) Letting the chaotic setting fade into the background; (c) Mechanical activity with great personal significance; and (d) Humanizing the setting when eating in the hospital. Mealtimes were supporting existential moments to patients. Offering a calm mealtime setting was experienced by the patients as an asylum where uplifting and comforting feelings were raised.