Montgomery offers a theory of caring, grounded in both clinical practice and theory, that advances caring as an intrinsic part of nursing. Demonstrating the depth and complexity of caring communication, she describes the qualities and behavioural manifestations needed to communicate caring to the patient, while admitting the emotional risks facing caregivers. A model is presented which describes the support necessary within the health care system to sustain this level of communication and to help caregivers cope with these emotional demands.