Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Stakeholders' Perspectives on Implementing the iSupport for Dementia Program to Address Inequalities in Dementia Care: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Lily Xiao, Kham Tran, Kate Laver, Claudia Meyer, Rachel Milte, Hui-Chen Rita Chang, Ying Yu, Shahid Ullah, Anna Howard, Vicki Kanakaris, Mary Sophou, Barbara Leon, Alison Kitson","doi":"10.1111/scs.70255","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70255","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>To explore stakeholders' perspectives on (1) the cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the Greek, Italian and Spanish versions of the iSupport for Dementia program and (2) strategies to implement the iSupport program in Australia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative descriptive study was applied. Data were collected from focus groups with family carers of people with dementia from Greek-, Italian- and Spanish-speaking backgrounds and bilingual and bicultural health and social care professionals in community aged care settings in Australia. The reflective thematic analysis method was used to identify themes from the data. The COREQ checklist for qualitative research was followed to report this study.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that stakeholders would like to see inclusive language used in the iSupport program to empower and engage carers in the program. They also suggested that the iSupport program should meet diverse learning needs and preferences for carers. They would like to see bilingual and bicultural staff deliver the iSupport program to carers and coach carers based on their individual needs. They suggested that the methods used in carer peer support should be socially inclusive in the digital age. In addition, they would like to see the iSupport program integrated into aged care services.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Implementing the iSupport for Dementia program in multiple languages that incorporates peer support and coaching activities for carers is an opportunity to address health inequalities for people with dementia and their carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Training and supporting bilingual and bicultural health and social care professionals is vital for embedding the iSupport program in aged care services.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70255"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13090560/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147718427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Adherence to Self-Management for Chronic Diseases Among Unemployed Jobseekers in Finland-A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Nina Kemilä, Outi Kähkönen, Leila Paukkonen, Anne Oikarinen","doi":"10.1111/scs.70230","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70230","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this study was to identify the factors that promote and weaken adherence to self-management among unemployed jobseekers with chronic diseases.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A qualitative descriptive study was used.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study participants (n = 12) were recruited from users of employment services, and data were collected during summer 2022 via semi-structured thematic interviews and analysed using inductive content analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three main categories emerged that promote adherence to self-management of chronic disease: functioning of the service chain, psychosocial support and life management. Furthermore, two main categories were identified as weakening adherence to self-management of chronic disease, namely, challenges in coping with everyday life and challenges related to access to services and information.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Adherence to self-management is influenced by both individual and disease-specific factors, as well as the available resources. Unemployment does not undermine adherence to self-management, yet the harmful aspects of unemployment can strongly affect an individual's ability to cope and take care of themselves. Unemployed people with chronic diseases want to participate in the decision-making related to self-management but need support from social and health care services. As such, adequate health care services, professional support and coordinated service guidance will improve adherence to self-management among the unemployed.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70230"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13053159/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147628659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"International Learning Initiative Part 1: A Protocol for Developing a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Module on Racism in Healthcare.","authors":"Theresa Raphael-Grimm, Karina Huus, Elzana Odzakovic, Sarah Hamed, Julia Lindblom, Johanna Falck, Maria Björk","doi":"10.1111/scs.70265","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70265","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Compassionate care is a fundamental expectation of all health professionals, yet biases and racism exist and significantly interfere with the caring process. Faculties within the health sciences have been tasked with addressing racism. However, methods to prepare students to identify racism in healthcare are scant, especially methods that utilise an international, cross-cultural approach.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To describe a protocol for developing a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) module to increase nursing students' comfort with both identifying and discussing racism in healthcare.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The module was developed through an iterative, pedagogically informed process drawn from the five steps in SUNY COIL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Careful and collaborative planning and implementation fostered the creation of a learning module that is based on multiple accepted pedagogies (psychological safety, interactive and reflective learning, and theories from implicit bias and institutional racism) to allow nursing students and faculty to thoughtfully engage in critical dialogue around the sensitive issue of racism in healthcare.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Following the steps outlined for effective COIL development, while drawing from accepted pedagogies, facilitated the creation of an innovative learning module.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70265"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147989507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Making Sense of the Final Moments: A Qualitative Study of Informal Caregivers' Perception of Good Death in the Bereavement Process.","authors":"Merve Işık, Ogün Asan","doi":"10.1111/scs.70260","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70260","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>The study aimed to explore caregivers' perceptions of 'good death' following adult deaths in the intensive care unit.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Understanding caregivers' perceptions of 'good death' in the intensive care setting is essential to reveal how physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural dimensions shape the bereavement process.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative descriptive design was used. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 caregivers between June and August 2025. Participants had lost an adult relative in the intensive care unit within the previous 6-24 months (approximately June 2023-February 2025). Data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify multidimensional themes that reflected caregivers' experiences of good death.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Caregivers described good death as a multilayered process extending beyond physical comfort to encompass emotional, spiritual, social, and cultural dimensions. Four themes were identified: (1) Physical and emotional comfort, (2) Meaning and spirituality, (3) Psychosocial challenges and (4) Cultural and social support. Key elements included a painless and peaceful death, the opportunity to say goodbye while conscious, the presence of relatives, autonomy, religious rituals, spiritual care, surrender to fate, social support and culturally shaped caregiving responsibilities.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>For caregivers, good death encompassed not only physical relief but also opportunities for farewell, spiritual and religious peace, social support and meaning-making. The restrictive nature of intensive care was seen as a barrier to these needs, underscoring the importance of family-oriented end-of-life practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70260"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13254546/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148220426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patients' and Healthcare Professionals' Experiences of Patient-Centeredness in Digital Care: A Qualitative Systematic Review.","authors":"Riikka Kärsämä, Suvi Kuha, Mira Hammarén, Outi Kanste","doi":"10.1111/scs.70273","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70273","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Patient-centeredness is considered a key component of efficient, high-quality healthcare services. As digital care is becoming an established part of healthcare systems, there is a need to explore patients' and professionals' experiences of patient-centeredness in digital care.</p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>To synthesise the existing qualitative evidence on patients' and healthcare professionals' experiences of patient-centeredness in digital care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a systematic review of qualitative evidence conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for qualitative systematic reviews. Reporting followed the PRISMA checklist. A systematic search was performed on Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL and the Finnish database Medic in October 2023 and updated in April 2026. Eligible studies were qualitative and reported adult patients' or healthcare professionals' experiences of patient-centredness in digital care across healthcare settings. Data were synthesised using thematic synthesis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Following duplicate removal, 5682 records were identified through database searches, and 30 reports fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review. Based on thematic synthesis, seven analytical themes were constructed: (1) enabling patients' ownership of their condition, (2) supporting patients' sense of safety and continuity, (3) rebuilding the patient-professional relationship, (4) influencing equality in digital care and (5) increasing the versatility of professionals and organisations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings suggest that digital care influences patient-centeredness in multiple ways. Patients and professionals describe digital care as offering new ways to enhance patient-centeredness, for instance, by providing support to patients in new ways and increasing patient participation. Both patients' and professionals' roles are described as changing in digital care, with patients becoming more actively involved in taking responsibility for their health and professionals enabling this by integrating their expertise with patients'. Technology and the physical distance of digital care were described as posing challenges to the patient-professional relationship, while technology-based support was described as enhancing patients' sense of safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70273"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148057700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determination of Ontological Well-Being and Self-Compassion Levels in Patients with Mastectomy: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Behice Belkıs Çalışkan, İnci Mercan Annak, Ayşe Kabasakal, Ömür Aktaş, Aslı Emine Büyükkasap, Fatma Yasemin Kutlu","doi":"10.1111/scs.70228","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70228","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Individuals who undergo mastectomy encounter many psychosocial problems, and individuals need to be evaluated psychosocially during the surgery process. Although the concepts of ontological well-being and self-compassion are new in the literature, they provide important clues for the psychosocial evaluation of individuals.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study was planned to determine the ontological well-being and self-compassion levels of individuals who have had a mastectomy.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was planned with a descriptive and cross-sectional design and conducted in the general surgery clinic of a training and research hospital. Data were collected face-to-face by reaching 96 individuals who had mastectomy operations. Data were collected using the 'Socio-demographic information form, Self-compassion scale-short form (SCS-SF), and Ontological well-being scale (OWBS)'. Statistical methods were used to evaluate the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When the study findings were examined, a statistically positive but weak relationship was found between the ontological well-being and self-compassion levels of individuals who had a mastectomy (r = 0.363, p < 0.05), and a statistically positive but weak relationship was found between all dimensions of OWBS and SCS-SF (p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The significant relationship between the ontological well-being and self-compassion levels of individuals who have had a mastectomy and many sociodemographic characteristics reveals that these two psychosocial factors should be evaluated. In addition, the high levels of ontological well-being and self-compassion of individuals and the positive effects of these two concepts on each other are variables that should be considered.</p><p><strong>Implication for practice: </strong>The study results provide insight into the ontological well-being and self-compassion levels of individuals who have had a mastectomy. Nurses can determine patients' coping skills and quality of life by examining how individuals evaluate the past, present, and future within the scope of ontological well-being and the level of compassion they show to themselves while making psychosocial assessments. With these values determined, a comprehensive nursing plan can contribute to individuals' complete state of psychosocial well-being.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70228"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13051375/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147624285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patients' Experiences in Inviting Healthcare Persons Into Caring Relationships: A Thematic Analysis.","authors":"Marja Leena Portaankorva, Anne Kasén, Lisbeth Fagerström, Heli Vaartio-Rajalin","doi":"10.1111/scs.70254","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70254","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study explored patients' experiences in inviting healthcare persons into the caring relationship.</p><p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Healthcare persons (i.e., physicians and nurses in this study) are usually responsible for inviting patients into caring relationships. Limited research has been published about patients who actively initiate relationships with healthcare persons, and their invitations are sometimes overlooked.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative approach was applied. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 20 adult patients in outpatient care between January and April 2023 and analysed with inductive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Patients initially invited healthcare persons into the caring relationships. The themes are (1) patients tried to contact healthcare persons in a human-to-human way with polite small talk and discussion; (2) patients advocated for themselves and insisted on being heard if their suffering was not seen and understood; (3) patients strongly expressed their suffering and deep worries about wanting to be seen and understood and (4) patients experienced having their suffering seen and understood.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients' invitation can be interpreted as a patient's attempt to bring healthcare persons to a closer understanding of patients' suffering. Patients' invitation activity levels with healthcare persons differed based on how their first invitations were attended to or heard. Hearing a patient's invitation is an ethical challenge to practicing healthcare persons because even silent invitations should be heard, and more research is needed concerning healthcare persons in this area. More research is also needed on patients' invitations in different life and health situations; research is equally needed about patients' experiences of healthcare persons' invitations and how healthcare persons' invitations influence patients' dignity.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70254"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13092786/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147724493","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Consistency Between the Definition, Intervention and Assessment of Empathy in Nursing Empathy Intervention Studies: A Literature Review.","authors":"Ton-Lin Hsieh, Yu-Jeng Ju, Hui-Ling Yang, Chang-Chi Chiang, Meng-Lin Lee","doi":"10.1111/scs.70231","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70231","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Various studies have examined the effectiveness of interventions to increase empathy in health professionals. However, internal contradictions in the way studies define and assess empathy threaten the validity of research findings. This study aims to assess the coherence between the definition, intervention and assessment of empathy within the context of nursing empathy intervention studies. Furthermore, it scrutinises the intervention and assessment methods based on the knowledge-attitude-behaviour model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials across two databases from January 1995 to March 2025. The selected nursing empathy intervention studies were categorised based on dimensions of empathy and aspects of knowledge-attitude-behaviour. The alignment among definition, intervention and assessment was then evaluated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the final twelve studies included, only one demonstrated a consistent definition, intervention and assessment of empathy. One other study exhibited partial consistency, while the remaining ten were inconsistent. Only one study was consistent in its intervention and assessment concerning knowledge-attitude-behaviour aspects.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study exposes a significant discrepancy in the alignment of empathy dimensions and knowledge-attitude-behaviour aspects. Researchers should ensure consistency between the definition, intervention and assessment of empathy as well as knowledge-attitude-behaviour aspects for the intervention and assessment. Readers need to be aware of internal contradictions in nursing empathy intervention studies, for they threaten the validity of study results.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70231"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147533662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bringing the Hospital to the Adult Patient: A Qualitative Study of Patients' and Relatives' Experiences of Mobile Emergency Care at Home.","authors":"Åsa Falchenberg, Ulf Andersson, Anders Sterner, Gabriella Norberg Boysen, Henrik Andersson","doi":"10.1111/scs.70288","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70288","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>To explore how patients and their relatives perceive and experience emergency care delivered at home by Mobile Emergency Teams (METs).</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>An exploratory qualitative design was used to explore how patients and relatives experienced the care encounter. This approach was appropriate given the exploratory nature of the study.</p><p><strong>Ethical considerations: </strong>The study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (No: 2023-02186-01) and conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Participants provided informed consent, were assured of confidentiality, and were informed of their right to withdraw at any time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was conducted in southwestern Sweden and included 20 semi-structured interviews with patients (n = 11), relatives (n = 4), and joint patient-relative interviews (n = 5) who had recently received care from METs. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis generated two overarching themes: Embraced by a calming environment and A sense of safety and security. Participants described METs' arrival as a turning point that brought calm and clarity to emotionally intense situations. The teams' respectful approach, clear communication and structured assessments contributed to emotional reassurance. Receiving care at home, in a familiar environment and in the presence of loved ones, supported participants' sense of dignity, autonomy and control. However, some participants expressed uncertainty about what would happen after METs' departure, indicating a need for improved follow-up and continuity of care.</p><p><strong>Limitations: </strong>Findings are shaped by a specific Swedish context, joint interviews and purposive sampling, which may limit transferability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Emergency care at home was experienced as emotionally supportive and clinically competent. Attentiveness, clarity and a respectful presence were central to participants' sense of being thoroughly and considerately cared for.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70288"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13284527/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148296819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nurse Educators' Perceptions of the Meaning of Nursing Theories in Norwegian Bachelor's Nursing Programmes: A Focus Group Study.","authors":"Monica Evelyn Kvande, Tone Glad, Anne Clancy, Gabriele Kitzmüller","doi":"10.1111/scs.70233","DOIUrl":"10.1111/scs.70233","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To explore how nurse educators in bachelor's nursing programmes perceive the meaning of nursing theories in nursing education.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>Nursing is situated between a professional discipline and an academic discipline. Nurses' professional values significantly influence nursing practice, playing a key role in shaping their behaviour and decision-making and the quality of care provided.</p><p><strong>Design: </strong>A descriptive qualitative study was conducted and reported on in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four focus groups with 17 educators at three universities and one university college were conducted between September 2021 and September 2023. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, in accordance with Braun and Clarke's approach.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three themes identifying nurse educators' perceptions of the meaning of nursing theories in Norwegian bachelor's nursing programmes: nursing theories define what nursing is and refer to core elements in nursing practice; nursing theories strengthen nursing students' self-understanding and professional identity and nursing theories-a vital yet marginalised part of nursing education.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Nursing theories strengthen nursing students' self-understanding and identity as nurses and provide them with the knowledge needed for empathetic caring and relational competence. While nursing educators acknowledge the importance of nursing theories in nursing education, discipline-specific nursing knowledge often competes with knowledge from other disciplines. The interdisciplinary approach emphasised in the training of health and social care professionals can overshadow the unique contribution of nursing theories. As a result, nursing theories may appear less important.</p>","PeriodicalId":48171,"journal":{"name":"Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences","volume":"40 2","pages":"e70233"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13036281/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147582754","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}