caring

caring [kār´ing]

an interpersonal process involving an emotional commitment to, and a willingness to act on behalf of, a person with whom one has a significant relationship. See also care. Caring is moral reflection but does not necessarily have a central moral principle. The bioethics of caring may focus on relationship, responsibility, trust, fidelity, and sensitivity. Emphasis is on not only what the health care provider does but also on how the actions are performed, what motives underlie them, and whether they promote or thwart positive relationships.