Book, Journal and Conference News

BOOKS 

Brigitte Cypress (2011). The Lived ICU Experiences of Nurses, Patients and Family Members: A Phenomenological Study of Critically Ill Patients, their Families and Nurses. Saarbrücken, Germany (LAP Lambert Academic Publishing AG & Co. KG, [ISBN 978-3-8433-9462-8]; pp. 197 $ 93.00.

The author of this book is a phenomenological researcher and a colleague in human science practice. In this book she discusses how critical illness and the admission of a family member to an intensive care unit is an extremely stressful experience that may result in an emotional turmoil, high level of stress, role conflict, interruption of normal home routines, and potential changes in relationships among patients and family members. This phenomenological study explored the lived intensive care unit experiences of nurses, patients and family members during critical illness in the intensive care unit using a purposive sample of five participants from each category. Content analysis of narratives elucidated that the patient’s experiences as it relates to finding meaning during critical illness is centered on obtaining support from their families and professionalism from the nurse. Adaptation in the intensive care unit, as experienced by nurses, patients and family members integrates family as a unit, physical care, physiological care and psychosocial support resulting in transformation. Future studies should be done to further explore the patient-family-nurse experience during critical illness in the intensive care unit.
http://www.amazon.com/Experiences-Nurses-Patients-Family-Members/dp/3843394628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1296916305&sr=8-1

Linda Finlay (2011). Phenomenology for therapists: Researching the lived world. Chichester, UK: Wiley Blackwell. [ISBN 978-0-470-66645-6, pp. 299, $ 49.95 pb].

In this book on phenomenological research, written especially with the situation and needs of psychotherapists in mind, Finlay provides a lucid and engaging introduction to the basics of phenomenology (including discussion of major figures in the movement), various research approaches within phenomenology (ranging from descriptive to hermeneutical and heuristic), and concludes with a substantial section on the steps in carrying out research. This text is both compact and quite comprehensive; it is also even-handed in its discussion of the varied perspectives within phenomenology. The examples of research included in the discussion are likely to be of interest to clinicians and to hold the attention of students.

Maxine Sheets-Johnstone (2011). The primacy of movement (expanded 2nd ed.). Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing. [ ISBN 978 90 272 5219 7, pp. 574, $ 49.95]

Sheets-Johnstone, a phenomenological philosopher associated with the University of Oregon, has written extensively about movement and the body. This expanded second edition carries forward the initial insights into the biological and existential significances of animation by taking contemporary research findings in cognitive science and philosophy and in neuroscience into critical and constructive account. It first takes affectivity as its focal point, elucidating it within both an enactive and qualitative affective-kinetic dynamic. It follows through with a thoroughgoing interdisciplinary inquiry into movement from three perspectives: mind, brain, and the conceptually reciprocal realities of receptivity and responsivity as set forth in phenomenology and evolutionary biology, respectively. It ends with a substantive afterword on kinesthesia, pointing up the incontrovertible significance of the faculty to cognition and affectivity. This book has received wide praise for bringing the importance of movement into the realm of cognitive neuroscience.

JOURNAL NEWS 

Journal of Metabletica: Inquiries into the Changing Nature of Being-in-the World
This is new semi-annual journal, with founding editors Dr. Marvin F. Zayed and Dr. Bertha Mook. The first issue, published in February 2010, was dedicated to the founder of Metabletics, Prof. Dr. J. H. van den Berg. Contact the editors at: metabletica@rogers.com

CALL FOR PAPERS 

The Interdisciplinary Coalition of North American Phenomenologists (ICNAP) is holding its annual conference at Fordham University, New York City, Labor day weekend, 2012. The call for papers will be available this fall. 

Abstracts must be submitted by February 1, 2011. For more information check ICNAP’s website. http://www.icnap.org/index.htm