“A becoming in the meeting”: the interpretations of competence in home care from the perspectives of older people and registered nurses – a meta-ethnography

Abstract

Aim The aim of this meta-ethnography was to identify and synthesize qualitative studies focusing on older people’s and registered nurses’ interpretations of competence in home care. Methods The meta-ethnography followed the six phases developed by Noblit and Hare (1988). Results In Phase 6, the translation process of the included studies, three themes were identified: i) temporality—the feeling of being of value; ii) dignity—a person, not just a patient; and iii) mutuality of being—togetherness. A synthesis was developed, and the phrase “a becoming in the meeting” emerged. Conclusion The sense of becoming includes progress, which means becoming something other than before in relation with others and refers to what constitutes the meeting between the older person and the registered nurse working in home care. Competence originates from becoming in the meeting, and registered nurses should therefore value what they do and hold on to this aspect of caring competence that centres on a caring relationship. It is important for registered nurses working in home care to be able to cultivate a caring relationship.

Keywords

• competence
• care
• caring relationship
• dignity
• home care
• meta-ethnography
• older people
• registered nurses
• temporality
• togetherness