Vulnerability can be experienced in practice
when interpersonal and professional
relationships with colleagues, patients and
their families present difficult challenges
and the practitioner may feel disempowered
due to a perceived lack of control over
evolving situations (Xyrichis & Ream 2008).
Austin (2005) purports that humans are
vulnerable beings possessing an intrinsic
need to trust in order to survive in life,
while Sellman (2006) warns that betrayal
of trust leads to vulnerability. A ‘thinking
tank’ session with perioperative colleagues,
prior to the literature analysis, generated
their perception of perioperative patient
vulnerability, as outlined in Figure 2.
Figure 2 Vulnerability: Concept descriptors
(highlight by colleagues)
Paradoxically, within nursing literature the
concept of vulnerability has been defined in
specific populations, for example patients
with HIV/AIDS, neonates, the homeless,
older people, and women and children.
Purdy (2004) described vulnerable
populations as: unprotected, exposed,
undefended, sensitive or immature.