Year: 2000 Source: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, v.14, no.4, (2000), p.275-283 SIEC No: 20030000

Fourteen Norwegian, three Danish, & two Swedish physicians employed at a Norwegian psychiatric hospital narrated their lived experiences in caring for suicidal psychiatric patients. The interview text was transcibed & interpreted using a phenomenological-hermeneutics method, inspired by Ricoeur’s philosophy. Two main themes were found: 1) Power Over (communicating with the patients; not accepting one’s own mortality, vulnerability, & fallibility; being rejected by the patients; & 2) Power To (deep communicating with the patients; accepting one’s own mortality, vulnerability, & fallibility; being trusted by the patients. These findings were pondered in the light of Cissna’s & Sieburg’s writings about confirming. (39 refs)