Therapeutic Person-Centered Relationships

Running head: THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS
Therapeutic Person-Centered Relationships
Name
University

THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS 2
Abstract
The purpose of this essay will be to look at the importance of establishing a therapeutic
relationship with patients by analyzing a case study. The essay will also assess the code of
conduct nurses should follow as laid down by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
The concepts of paternalism and self-efficacy will also be described in the essay.

THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS 3
Introduction
A therapeutic relationship between a patient and a healthcare provider is defined as a
nurturing, caring and supportive relationship that is based on mutual respect, understanding
and trust (Pullen & Mathias, 2010). These relationships are usually formed during stressful
periods for the patient and they can last from a brief encounter to an extended period of time
depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. The basis of therapeutic relationships is
to facilitate effective communication with healthcare providers and create an environment for
positive interactions (Kornhaber, Walsh, Duff & Walker, 2016).
Patient-centered or person-centered care refers to how healthcare delivery and
decision-making is centered on the individual patient’s needs. The goal of this type of care is
to give patients the power to become active participants in matters related to their health
(Reynolds, 2009). Both therapeutic relationships and person-centered care are interrelated
because healthcare providers need to address the emotional concerns and needs of their
patients to provide effective care (Kornhaber et al. 2016).
Components of a Therapeutic Person-Centered Relationship
According to the College of Nurses of Ontario (2018), there are five components
which make up the nurse-patient relationship which is similar to a therapeutic patient-focused
relationship. These components are always present regardless of the length of interaction, the
setting in which care is being given and whether the nurse is the main caregiver. One of these
components is trust which is very important because the patient who is ill is in a vulnerable
and stressful situation. Trust is important in a therapeutic relationship because it forms the
basis of effective communication between the patient and the nurse (College of Nurses of
Ontario, 2018, p.3).

THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS 4
The second component of a therapeutic relationship is professional intimacy which
refers to the type of services and activities that nurses provide during care. Some of these
activities include bed baths, assisting with dressing, changing continence products and
assisting with toileting (College of Nurses of Ontario, 2018). These activities provide a form
of closeness between the nurse and the patient and they can also involve the psychological,
emotional, mental and social needs of the patient. The patient’s personal health information
also forms professional intimacy because of the Protection of Privacy Act which all care
providers are meant to follow (2018, p.3).
Respect is also a component of therapeutic relationships where healthcare providers
are required to recognize that each individual patient is unique and should be treated with
respect regardless of their economic status, cultural background, personal attributes and their
illness (2018, p.3). Empathy is another component and it refers to offering validation,
expressing understanding and resonating with the patient during their healthcare experience.
Nurses and other care providers need to have an appropriate emotional distance with their
patients so that they can remain professional and objective (2018, p.4).
Power in therapeutic relationships refers to how nurses have more power than their
patients despite the fact they don’t perceive it. This is because nurses have more influence
than their client’s within the healthcare system in the form of patient advocacy, specialized
knowledge and skills and access to confidential health information (College of Nurses of
Ontario, 2018). When nurses use this power in the right way, they are able to partner with
their patients to achieve better health outcomes and also provide care in a respectful and
dignified way. In the event this power is misused, it is then considered to be abuse of power
(College of Nurses of Ontario, 2018, p.4).