Caring in Ambulance Encounters With Older Patients With Complex Care Needs: A Phenomenographic Study

Caring in ambulance encounters with older patients with complex care needs is perceived as a multidimensional and contextually situated practice that integrates clinical, relational, and ethical dimensions. While caring was often expressed in terms of balancing symptoms and medical interventions, it also involved moral sensitivity, relational engagement, and professional responsibility. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of caring as a lifeworld-led and ethically grounded practice in ambulance care, with implications for education, reflective practice, and policy development.