top of page

Based on the provided search results, the "Lifeworld Approach to Care" (or lifeworld-led care) is viewed as a humanising, phenomenological approach that focuses on the patient’s lived experience of health and illness, rather than solely on the disease or technical aspects of care. 

​

Here is what AI-driven research suggests about this approach:

​

Core Principles of the Lifeworld Approach

  • Focus on "What Matters": The approach prioritises understanding the patient's perspective, including their subjective experiences, feelings, and personal history, rather than just objective medical data.

  • Key Dimensions: It covers essential human dimensions:

    • Temporality: Experience of time.

    • Spatiality: Experience of space.

    • Embodiment: Experience of being in a body.

    • Intersubjectivity/Sociality: Being in relation to others.

    • Agency: Sense of self-determination.

  • Contextual Understanding: It acknowledges the patient within their social, cultural, and environmental context. 

Key Findings on its Application

  • Enhances Humanity in Care: The approach is effective at bringing human dimensions of care "alive" in clinical settings, improving dignity, and reducing the risk of dehumanisation.

  • Supports Education and Training: Lifeworld-led education is crucial for training healthcare professionals to be "attuned" to the patient's inner world, moving beyond mere technical skills.

  • Improves Outcomes: Increased use of the lifeworld approach correlates with better outcomes and more humane treatment of patients, especially in chronic, long-term conditions.

  • Facilitates Reflection: It encourages reflection, allowing practitioners to move between theoretical, scientific knowledge and the lived experience of the patient. 

The Role of Technology and AI

  • Moderating Technology: Lifeworld-led care acts as a "humanising force" that can moderate, rather than block, technological progress.

  • Balancing "Voice of Medicine" and "Voice of Life": The approach aims to balance the "voice of medicine" (technical/clinical) with the "voice of the lifeworld" (patient's personal world).

  • AI Integration Challenges: While AI can aid in data-driven aspects of care, the lifeworld approach emphasises that AI lacks "embodied, practical relationship to the world" and cannot replace the human capacity for empathy. 

In summary, the lifeworld approach is regarded as a vital, patient-centred, and deeply humanising framework that bridges the gap between technical, high-tech care and the lived, human reality of patients and practitioners.

​

About Dr Denise Andrea Harris 

Specialisms:

 

  • Brain Injury

  • Falls

  • Healthcare Education

  • Housing Adaptations

  • Orthopaedics

  • Palliative Care

  • Progressive Neurological Diseases

  • Trauma

 

 

Profile:

I am a consultant occupational therapist, researcher, publisher, and educator. I have twenty-two years of experience assessing and treating clients across the NHS, Social Services, and Private Sector companies.

 

My knowledge and skills were developed in NHS trauma and orthopaedics, community rehabilitation, rapid response, falls, palliative, and end-of-life care. Social Services housing, aids and adaptations, and Private Sector case management and head injuries.

 

After completing my PhD by publication, I conceptualised and launched my independent practice to provide care and education for people with motor neurone disease (MND). Independent practice has offered me various opportunities to work as an associate occupational therapist, educator, and expert witness.  In 2023, I published a book chapter exploring my research journey, published papers, and developed a person-centred care model in MND. This person-centred care model focuses on individuality, which includes three significant elements: 1. presuppositions, 2. acceptance, and 3. temporality.

 

I prepare Civil Procedure Compliant Occupational Therapy and Care Reports for the

Court covering various complex injuries. My areas of speciality are progressive neurological conditions, neurological rehabilitation, orthopaedic injury, and palliative and end-of-life care.

 

As an Independent Expert Witness, I aim to interpret the impact of the negligence that has occurred. I use my knowledge and skills to learn about a person in their world, their losses and potential for future rehabilitation. I make the necessary recommendations to enable a person to live life as they did before the index incident.

 

Professional Qualifications & Memberships:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Manchester Metropolitan University)

  • Master of Philosophy (Salford University)

  • Master of Research (Lancaster University)

  • BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (Salford University)

  • Healthcare Professions Council Registered

  • Member of Royal College of Occupational Therapists (since 2003)

​

​​​

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
11062b_c4f5ef07f81740e1a12588833251612a~mv2.jpg

Services

1

OT and Care Expert

I specialise in preparing OT and Care Reports that comply with civil regulations and cover a range of complex injuries for court proceedings. The types of injuries and conditions I can report include Brain injury, Orthopedic injury, Progressive Neurological Disease, Palliative and end-of-life care

2

Training Course End of Life Care

Training course for health and social care professionals who wish to provide person-centred end-of-life care.

3

Training Course on Research Methodologies

Training course for health and social care professionals wishing to apply person-centred research methodologies

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Gemma Cummins, Occupational Therapist/Director, All-in-One Occupational Therapy

"After reviewing the website, I strongly endorse the Lifeworld approach and suggest it to individuals or family caregivers dealing with illness or injury. I have been following this research based on evidence from the start and have witnessed the positive impact it can have."

Barbara Simmons, PhD Psychologist, ALS Family Centre, University of Miami 

"I have just finished a 4-session course with Denise Harris and it was definitely worth it. Although we both work with MND patients, she has a well-organized and structured approach that has proven to be highly beneficial. Additionally, she has provided me with new insights that will help me improve my interactions with patients. Her articles are also invaluable for furthering my knowledge in this field. It's rare to find someone who understands the needs of these patients so well, and I plan to maintain a long-term relationship with her."

Christine Kenney, Senior Lecturer, Salford University

"I received a lot of positive feedback about your session. Some students even mentioned that it was the best part of their day. That's quite an accomplishment!"

Get in Touch

Registered Office:

Tower House

269 Walmersley Rd

Bury

BL9 6NX

​

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

Thanks for submitting!

© 2014 Lifeworld Approach to Care

Based in Bury, UK

Working Remotely

​

Member of RCOT

​

 â€‹

​

bottom of page