Developing A Therapeutic Relationship With The Patient

When we take care of our client in differentNurse: Assist and help patient to understand their
dimensional aspect we have to expect that thereproblem and accept the help available.
is always resistance, failures along the way. WeActivity: Actively works to foster trust and
forget to realized that it a process both the nursedevelop the relationship. Involves learning about
and the patient. It is a multi-factoral aspect with athe patient and their initial concerns and needs.
various activities can be utilized with in thePatients are being informed of the general
relationship to facilitate patient adaptation process.purpose of talking with the nurses. Identify the
There is no single theoretical model is effectiveproblems you want to work on. Discuss to patient
with every patient. Even patient with the sameto know that nurses cannot solve problems or
mental illness will have somewhat differentmake decisions for them rather help patient to
manifestations of symptoms, provided with theirlook at realistic options so that they can make
unique character, history, current life situation, andtheir own decisions as well.
emerging needs.If the orientation is successfully done and when
There are several approach with the nursethe nurse identifies the patients readiness to work
patient relationship which comprises with a goalon a behavioral modification possibly change may
directed interaction that utilized a non verbal andbegin to rise.
verbal communications to convey the following;B. Working Phase
willingness to learn, genuine respect to patient,Goal: Stabilization of needs, reduction of
desire to help the client, understanding the patientsymptoms and development of supportive
as a person, his problems, and need as well. Withrelationship.
this approach, part of the nursing process is toNurse: Explore more the problems, identify
used assessment to identify client's problems orpossible solutions, test out new behaviors.
needs, formulate nursing interventions andProblems: Changing or modifying behavior is more
evaluation process to evaluate effectiveness ofdifficult and it is a long term process to work on.
care.Activity: Know how well a patient understand his
The nurse should purposefully and carefully guidesproblems, there are some suggested steps of this
and directs the conversations toward the patientsseries. In depth detailed description of situation,
identification of needs or a problems, issues andthoughts and feelings and even behaviors. Analysis
selects the therapeutic strategies to facilitatestep is necessary to encourage accuracy in
awareness, decisions, changes, or comfort.patient's conclusions about the problems. Even the
Privacy is strictly observed during this processpatient identify the problem accurately, he may
and personal data can be shared but rarelynot automatically decide his behavior is worth
discloses personal problems, because sharing anychanging. Interpretation step, leads to decision that
information of the client is big " NO NO ". Thechange is necessary and appropriate.
nurse has the responsibility to observed anyPlanning step, problem solving is the main crux in
bizarre or unacceptable social behaviors or lack ofthis process. Patient here is being guided in
skills. Help use " free time "to develop and verbaldecision about the change. In developing and
skills, to reality test, get feedback, and supportconsidering alternative solutions and formulating
for new behaviors. Informal or recreationalmethod for carrying out the plan. Implementation
encounters with patient maybe spontaneous butstep, try new behaviors or solution in a safe
therapeutic.environment with the nurse and then a real
There are some important points that I would likesituation. Ask the client to rehearse or practice
to stress out on this topic, usually the nursethe upcoming situation. Evaluation step, allows
patient relationship is not a" social relationship" takefeedback and used to assess the success of new
note of this!. It would only means thatbehaviors and solutions to problems. Should begin
involvement, mutual support, intimacy is not partin a constructive manner and help client learn to
of this process. The nurse interest and concernask for and use feedback appropriately.
here is always being misinterpreted, situation like "Reality testing and cognitive restructuring is one
client often ask or wish the nurse to be a friendof the most important strategy in the analysis
and go out for a certain date". We have tointerpretation, and planning phases. Help the patient
remind the patient of his/her role. Try to discusssee reality more clearly and objectively where
their needs for friendship, love and support.they may have been past distortions or in
Furthermore, there are some nursing theoristaccuracies, it is not a matter of arguing but
who believed that nurse and patient relationshipPRESENTING one so that patient can consider
begins as strangers and move in stages toanother option. Should have to be constructive
become collaborators in solving their problems.feedback. Cognitive restructuring is helping patient
Which until now it remains valid and proven to besee another viewpoint that will help him adjust his
very effective and has given various stages. Butview to be more realistic. Patient need to redefine
before we discuss those phases, we must takehow he interpreted a situation or change his
into big consideration that before interacting toperception of another person's behavior.
different clientele whether in mental or in medicalC. TERMINATION STAGE
health facilities the nurse should have a selfIn inpatient work and changes are rarely
awareness.completed because patients are discharge or
There are several phases or stages on the nursemove or the nurse has change the unit.
client relationship. To discuss its background let usSynthesizing what has occurred focuses on more
try to identify the specific function and problemsindirect outcomes of the relationship. For problems
of the nurse encountered of each stages.that need continuing attention after discharge
A. Orientation phasewhat we usually do is to have appropriate
Patient: Feel needs and seek help of theirreferrals such as in Doctor's clinic, self help groups,
problems.community agencies.