Nurse-parent dialogue: Illuminating the evolving pattern of families with children who are medically fragile

Guided by Newman's theory of health as expanding consciousness, this study explored the pattern of nurse-parent interaction in families with children who were medically fragile by applying the hermeneutic, dialectic method of interviewing and analysis. Living with children who are medically fragile was manifested by continual uncertainty Families changed from trying to gain control of their uncertainty to learning to live in the uncertainty, as they evolved through an initial period of disruption and disorganization to organization at another level. This required new ways of relating to friends, family, healthcare providers, and the community, expanding the consciousness of the family.