Neben einer historischen Übersicht über die Theorieentwicklung in der Pflege gibt Afaf Meleis eine Klassifikation der wichtigsten theoretischen Ansätze der Krankenpflege Ende des 20. Jahrhunderts. Darüber hinaus verweist sie auf Verbindungen zwischen pflegetheoretischen Ansätzen und allgemeinen Grundlagen der Theoriebildung. Ferner enthalten sind Abstracts einflussreicher theoretischer Publikationen aus den Jahren 1960 bis 1984.

Consolation is needed when a human being suffers (i.e. feels alienated from him-or herself, from other people, from the world or from his or her ultimate source of meaning). The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of consolation. Tape-recorded narrative interviews were carried out with 18 professionals from various spheres. The transcribed interviews were interpreted hermeneutically. A model of consolation is outlined in a drawing. It states that the mediator and the receiver of consolation must become ready (...) for consolation before it can take place. To be ready means to be present and available. Availability means expressing suffering and listening respectively, and thereby opening up for communion and consoling dialogue. Communion brings about contact with the sacred dimension that human beings share and thus with goodness, light, joy, beauty and life. Consolation involves a shift of perspective and an experience of meaning in spite of suffering. (shrink)