A phenomenological focus on Levinas' concept of alterity interpreted as respect for the other in a healthcare encounter

With significant angst, disrespectful relatedness has been observed in healthcare interactions. Within many healthcare settings, verbiage abounds appealing for greater awareness and remedy toward respecting the patient in clinical practice.;This descriptive phenomenological study focused on practicing registered nurses to elicit their responses to "What is the nature of respect for the Other in a healthcare encounter from the perspective of registered nurses?" Theoretical bases of Levinas' concept of alterity and Watson's Human Caring Theory were referents for centering nursing prominence on respect for the Other in a healthcare encounter.;The research design was phenomenological. The sample was comprised of 11 registered nurses. Data collection was achieved by semi-structured audiotaped interviews. Moustakas' processes were attended in formatting and analyzing the phenomenological focus. Analysis yielded rich description of Levinasian alterity interpreted as respect for the patient within findings of horizons describing awareness of self/Other, caring, compassion, collegiality, competence, empathy, presence, and behaviors observant of patient dignity and rights. Time, scheduled in ample amount, was cited as central to a respectful healthcare encounter. The horizons explicated by the nurse-participants' description combined nursing art with Levinasian ethics, sustaining the Other as an end.;This study was especially timely in reference to the Joint Commission's new standards for healthcare professionals' behavior. Recommendations centered about a code of conduct inclusive of courtesy, business etiquette, and general people skills that aligned with the study's description. The concept of alterity centered within Levinas' Philosophy of Ethics and Watson's Human Caring Theory provided credence to raise consciousness in respectful encounter toward each Other's health and harmony.