How do nurses in palliative care perceive the concept of self‐image?

Background Nursing research indicates that serious illness and impending death influence the individual's self‐image. Few studies define what self‐image means. Thus it seems to be urgent to explore how nurses in palliative care perceive the concept of self‐image, to get a deeper insight into the concept′s applicability in palliative care. Aim To explore how nurses in palliative care perceive the concept of self‐image. Design Qualitative descriptive design. Method In‐depth interviews with 17 nurses in palliative care were analysed using phenomenography. The study gained ethical approval. Results The concept of self‐image was perceived as both a familiar and an unfamiliar concept. Four categories of description with a gradually increasing complexity were distinguished: I dentity, S elf‐assessment, S ocial function and S elf‐knowledge. They represent the collective understanding of the concept and are illustrated in a ‘self‐image map’. The identity‐category emerged as the most comprehensive one and includes the understanding of ‘ W ho I am’ in a multidimensional way. Conclusion The collective understanding of the concept of self‐image include multi‐dimensional aspects which not always were evident for the individual nurse. Thus, the concept of self‐image needs to be more verbalised and reflected on if nurses are to be comfortable with it and adopt it in their caring context. The ‘self‐image map’ can be used in this reflection to expand the understanding of the concept. If the multi‐dimensional aspects of the concept self‐image could be explored there are improved possibilities to make identity‐promoting strategies visible and support person‐centred care.