Patient's body exposure through the look of the nursing academic

Abstract

Objective: Recognizing the experience of nursing academics in relation to the patient's body exposure during nursing care conduction in hospital environment. Method: A qualitative descriptive study, performed with nursing academics of a public institution in southern Brazil, between August and September 2010. The content was submitted to thematic analysis. Results: Exposure of patient's body constitutes an experience which the academic faces during hospital care, resulting in feelings such as anxiety, fear and embarrassment. The user's responsiveness, the presence of others during the execution of procedures, lack of professional sensitivity and of material resources and inadequate physical space were identified as hindering the experience. Conclusion: Physical exposure and intimacy preservation deserve space for discussion in the classroom and at work, aiming at student fitness to everyday practice of nursing and improving the quality of care.