This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Carr, J. M. Articles by Clarke, P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Carr, J. M. Articles by Clarke, P. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Development of the Concept of Family Vigilance

School of Nursing, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT

Pamela Clarke

Department of Nursing, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID

Although there is an increase in the visibility offamilies in hospitals, there was little known about the meanings, patterns, and day-to-day experience offamilies staying with hospitalized relatives. The purpose of this qualitative, ethnographic study was to describe vigilance, defined as the family member's experience of staying with a relative in the hospital setting. Eight adult family members with relatives on two acute care neurology units were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data were collected using informal, semistructured interviews and participant observation. Qualitative analysis provided a meaningful grouping of the data pieces into five categories of meaning: commitment to care, emotional upheaval, dynamic nexus, transition, and resilience. These categories of meaning provide a description of vigilance and enhance the theoretical understanding of this care phenomenon.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. Carr Poetic Expressions of Vigilance Qual Health Res, November 1, 2003; 13(9): 1324 - 1331. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. A. Meyer The Art of Watching Out: Vigilance in Women who have Migraine Headaches Qual Health Res, November 1, 2002; 12(9): 1220 - 1234. [Abstract] [PDF]