Using Heidegger’s philosophy of dasein to support person-centred research
Intended for healthcare professionals
Evidence and practice    

Using Heidegger’s philosophy of dasein to support person-centred research

Lorna Chesterton Research associate, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England
Kirsten Jack Professor of nursing education, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, England

Why you should read this article:
  • To understand the concept of dasein and its relevance when undertaking person-centred research

  • To recognise how dasein places people in a holistic context and values what is important to them

  • To enable use of the way findings are situated contextually to assist in influencing nursing practice and policy

Background Locating and explicating philosophical frameworks, which enable a person-centred approach, is important for nurses undertaking research to respect and value participants during the process. This reflects the ideals of person-centred care.

Aim To explore how Heidegger’s philosophical concept of dasein and its relationship with the hermeneutic circle can support person-centred research.

Discussion Dasein is described as ‘being in the world’ and encourages thinking about the ways in which people are bound to their surroundings and history. Understanding and applying it to nursing research is important as it enables researchers to explore the ‘lifeworld’ of another and promotes person-centred research practice.

Conclusion Developing a person-centred approach to research can be achieved by using Heidegger’s concept of dasein, which can enable the development of insight into another person’s lifeworld.

Implications for practice Understanding the concept of dasein enables nurse researchers to undertake person-centred research. Dasein recognises individuals in the holistic context of their world and values what is important to them. Situating findings contextually allows nurse researchers to influence nursing practice and policy.

Nurse Researcher. doi: 10.7748/nr.2021.e1806

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Correspondence

l.chesterton@mmu.ac.uk

Conflict of interest

None declared

Chesterton L, Jack K (2021) Using Heidegger’s philosophy of dasein to support person-centred research. Nurse Researcher. doi: 10.7748/nr.2021.e1806

Published online: 22 November 2021

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