Hermeneutic Phenomenology Research Approach: A Review of the Continuing Professional Development in the Clinical Speciality of Cardiology

Abstract

Background: The specialised clinical environment is very challenging and complex for nurses. Those working in such an environment need to constantly update their knowledge and skills in order to be proficient in their specialty. Phenomenology is a branch of philosophy and a research method used to reveal the unknown aspects of experience and explain phenomena. Nurse experience using online continuing professional development (CPD) provides an insight regarding this method of learning. Aims: This paper reviews the role of phenomenology as branch of philosophy and research method to reveal staff experience in developing their advanced clinical skills using online CPD activities. Results: There are several-reasons supporting the use of phenomenology as a research-methodology. First, the significance of phenomenology-research is to aid exploration of the lived-experience. This means exploring the originality of humanexistence, life as it is lived and the original-dimensions. Second, phenomenology is concerned with human-world, and the world cannot be described without referring to personal-consciousness and experience. Third, phenomenological-research helps to reveal the internal-structure of lived-experience or the essence of phenomena. The essence can be sensed through studying details and facts encountered in the lived-experience and the language used to describe it. Fourth, phenomenologicalresearch contextualises the lived-experience with deep and rich-meaning of the way that humans-act in their world. Fifth, phenomenological-research stimulates human thoughtfulness to wonder about life and perceive meanings for everyday-lifeevents. Finally, phenomenological-research is a poetising-project; poetising means talking, primally and ontologically, about original-experience, thus disclosing meaning of how it is like to be or exist in this life. Conclusion: Phenomenological research is the most suitable approach for exploring and further understanding of human experiences and other human phenomena. The hermeneutic interpretive approach allowed the researcher to reveal the deeper meanings of the online CPD experience. *Correspondence: Dr. Issa Al Salmi, MD, BA, BAO, Bch, MB (Trinity College), FRCPI, MRCP (U.K.), FRCP, MIPH, PhD (AUS), FASN (USA); The Royal Hospital, 23 July Street, P O Box 1331, code 111, Muscat, Oman and Oman Medical Specialty Board, Aziabah, Muscat, Oman, Telephone: 968 92709000, Fax: 968 245 99966, ORCID: 0000-0002-3443-5972, Research ID: J-4622-2014. Received: 25 August 2020; Accepted: 14 September 2020