Nursing older people in Thailand: Embryonic holistic rhetoric and the biomedical reality of practice

Abstract Qualitative research, informed by grounded theory, was used to investigate gerontic nursing practices in Bangkok, Thailand. In-depth interviews with older persons, their families, and nurses were conducted and the data were analyzed using constant comparison. Five inter-related major themes in gerontic nursing practice were revealed: the reality of nursing practice, family caregiving, views of gerontic nursing, tension, and communication. It was concluded that, though nursing rhetoric supported holistic care, the reality of everyday practice is still biomedical in focus.