Abstract:
This thesis presents an autoethnographic study of the concept of 'compassionate listening'
within my general and palliative care practice. I examined my care for people in critical life
course moments to gain insight into the process of listening with compassion. This insight
evolved through a process of layered reflection using a series of texts, particularly stories that
captured critical moments in working with people who were facing crisis situations or who were
dying. Writing and reflecting on these stories enabled me identify how I engaged with patients
and their loved ones. I was able to explore how compassionate listening could be used to
ascertain their needs, particularly when they were unable or unsure how to proceed.
Compassion implies the capacity to acknowledge another human's suffering or predicament.
Compassionate listening is a form of active listening that begins with the intention to be
present for the person. It brings humanness, patience, an acknowledgement of one's own
vulnerability and a willingness to interact with a person in a meaningful way that could alleviate
some of their suffering. During this special encounter both nurse and patient reach an
embodied knowing.
In studying this aspect of caring I chose stories from my practice that were written over a
number of years in different locations. I reflected again on these stories to gain deeper insight
and asked colleagues to read some of the texts and give me feedback on my practice. Their
comments were a valuable part of this layered reflective process. This thesis presents eight
stories and a series of reflections on those stories and colleague's comments, which enabled
me to explore compassionate listening as it evolved in my practice. This study contributes to
an understanding of how the ability to develop refined awareness of meaningful interactions
with people can enhance wellbeing for both the patient and nurse.
