Therapeutic Relationship and Communication

This chapter discusses the importance of person-centered communication in nursing and how it affects the quality of care. It also highlights the differences between person-centered care and social relationships. Nurses need to develop a more therapeutic approach for dealing with various in-depth issues of the patients to encourage trust and confidence.

Running head: THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNICATION
THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNICATION
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THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP AND COMMUNICATION
Chapter 7: Communication
Nurses need to undertake person-centred approach towards communication with
patients where they need to include patients and family members as active participants in
decision-making procedures regarding the care plan. Nurses need to seek for feedback from
the patients and at the same time encourage them become an active member of the care plan
development. Teaching patients is an important aspect of care as it not only helps patients to
feel empowered but also makes them develops the motivation to engage in self-management
activities and develop self-coping abilities.
Development of person-centred relationship with patients is an essential attribute of
nursing profession as it helps in setting the climate in ways by which both professionals and
patients proceed towards a common goal of meeting the needs of the patient. It has been
found that the quality of the relationship that is developed with the patients is most significant
element in determining the effectiveness of the treatment procedures. Problems might arise in
care when nurses fail in establishing rapport as well as the helping and trusting relationship
with the service users.
Nurses must however remember that there exist marked differences between the
person-centred care and that of social relationship. Although both the relationships have the
common elements of care, trust, concern and growth, several other factors is there that make
one different from the other. Firstly, the person-centred relationship occurs because of a
specific purpose with a specific individual. It is mainly characterised by an unequal sharing if
information where the service users share information that relates to different health problems
but the nursing professionals shares information much professionally as per their job role. In
friendly relationships, sharing of information is much similar not only in quantity but also in

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type and equal in shared responsibilities. Moreover, the person-centred relationship is mainly
based on the needs of the person and not on the needs of the healthcare professionals whereas
in case of friendships, needs of both the participants are mainly considered.
Nursing professionals should be well aware of the boundaries that the professional
relationships possess. Crossing such professional boundaries might result in disciplinary
actions as well as legal obligations and hence nurses need to be very careful about it.
Most of the everyday person-centred relationships often might seem very similar to
regular social relationships but nurses need to develop the expertise to engage in purposeful
communication with the patients that goes beyond the casual chat over weather or sporting
teams. Nurses need to be well aware of the needs of the person and develop a more
therapeutic approach for dealing with various in-depth issues of the patients. This results in
encouraging trust and confidence of the persons as they feel that nurses are competent enough
to understand their concerns and care for them accordingly.