Therapeutic Relationship

Therapeutic relationship refers to the professional relationship between a nurse and a client, it is the foundation on which a nurse and patient can work together to identify issues that are affecting the patient and requires change. The focus of this relationship is to bring about change in the person s health.

Attributes of a nurse- patient relationship.

Being there--the patient likes the nurse to be there for them, that means being present for the patient when needed.

Self disclosure--patients sometimes think that they are the only ones who are having difficulties; by some self disclosure the patient is able to see that others share their difficulties. This also validates their feelings and provides perspective for their problems.

Being concerned--this enhances the nurse patient relationship, nurses recognize the need for the patient to make their own decision about their lives and their health as well as offering choice and   alternatives to facilitate the patient in problem solving.

Components of the nurse –patient relationship includes trust, respect, empathy and rapport. In this relationship the nurses are trusted to assist change in patient by facilitating the understanding of the information. It requires the nurse to have active listening skills, be focused on the patient s needs, be led by the patient s issues and develop problem solving capacity and evaluate the change in the patient to identify progress towards maximum health.

Respecting a patient is all about caring, liking and valuing. The patient is regarded as a person of worth and respected. They are accepted for who they are or as they are, they are to be seen as individuals, people with lives beyond their mental illness.

Empathy forms a basis for a helping relationship between the nurse and the patient; it includes perceiving the patient s feelings and their meanings, sensing the patient’s private world as if it were your own. When the nurse knows and understands the patient,...