Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 1e/2026

The Importance of touch in palliative nursing care

In clinical practice, touch is often reduced to a functional and technical component of care. However, research shows that basic human, empathetic touch can help alleviate suffering, anxiety and strengthen the relationship between the nurse and the patient. This paper examines the significance of touch in palliative nursing care by linking empirical findings with a phenomenological understanding of touch as a relational experience rooted in human embodiment and vulnerability. It also identifies barriers associated with empathetic touch and, in the context of healthcare education, emphasizes the need for systematic development of nonverbal communication skills. Touch represents an indispensable element of holistic palliative care that can significantly contribute to the humanization of clinical practice.

Keywords: palliative nursing care, touch, phenomenology, embodiment, vulnerability