Alison Kitson

University of Adelaide, Flinders University

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Alison Kitson is a pioneering force in nursing and healthcare transformation, best known for her foundational work on fundamental care and person-centred health systems. Her research centres on bridging the gap between clinical cure and compassionate care, arguing that even the most advanced medical interventions fail without attentive, relational care. In her widely discussed editorial “Crossing the caring chasm” (2016, 12 citations), Kitson diagnoses the systemic challenges of ageing populations and integrated care, calling for a radical reorientation of health systems toward caring processes. Her more recent piece “There is no cure without care” (2023, 3 citations) crystallises this philosophy, asserting that COVID-19 vaccines alone could not heal—health professionals’ fundamental care was essential. Kitson’s impact extends beyond citations; she has shaped international nursing curricula and policy frameworks, notably through her leadership of the International Learning Collaborative, which advances evidence-based fundamental care. Her work challenges researchers and clinicians alike to recognise that curing and caring are inseparable, making her a vital voice in reimagining compassionate, effective healthcare for the 21st century.