What is most effective when the nurse is developing a therapeutic relationship with a patient?

. 2021 Jun;28(3):335-343.

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The association between empathy and the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship in mental health units: a cross-sectional study
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How do you establish a therapeutic relationship with a patient?
When developing a therapeutic relationship with a client which characteristic is most essential?
When a nurse establishes a therapeutic relationship with a patient which of the following is the primary focus for the client's care?
What are the 4 stages of a therapeutic relationship?

doi: 10.1111/jpm.12675. Epub 2020 Aug 3.

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PMID: 32657511
DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12675

Free article

The association between empathy and the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship in mental health units: a cross-sectional study

Antonio R Moreno-Poyato et al. J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2021 Jun.

Free article

Abstract

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: Empathy is one of the main attributes for establishing the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship. Davis (1983) identified four components on an empathic response: perspective taking, fantasy, empathetic concern and personal distress. It is essential to deepen our knowledge on the influence of the dimensions of empathy for the construction and development of the therapeutic alliance during the different phases of the therapeutic relationship. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: A significant association exists between the dimensions of empathy and the construction and development of the therapeutic alliance during the different phases of the therapeutic relationship between nurses and patients in mental health units. This study shows that the nurses' perspective on the patient's situation improves the bond, and therefore, this skill is especially useful in the first phase or orientation phase of the therapeutic relationship. However, for the second phase or working phase of the therapeutic relationship, a greater empathic concern among nurses, together with less personal distress, improves collaborative goal setting with patients. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: It is important for mental health nurses to be aware of the importance of personal self-awareness and the emotional management of empathy for the construction and development of therapeutic relationships of quality with patients. Knowledge of the relationship between each of the dimensions of empathy in the different stages of the therapeutic relationship is useful for the design of educational programmes, by including training on empathic strategies. ABSTRACT: Introduction Empathy and its dimensions (perspective taking, empathic concern, personal distress and fantasy) are essential for establishing the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship. It is important to know how this influences the construction and development of the therapeutic alliance during the different phases of the therapeutic relationship. Aim To examine whether the dimensions of empathy influence the nurse-patient therapeutic relationship within mental health units. Method A cross-sectional design was used to collect data to measure the therapeutic alliance and the different dimensions of empathy via an online form completed by nurses working at 18 mental health units. Linear regressions were used in the analysis. Results A total of 198 participants completed the questionnaires. Nurses established a greater therapeutic alliance with patients when they were able to adopt their patient's perspective and experience concern. Discussion Nurses' perspective taking is an influential factor impacting the nurse-patient bond in the orientation phase, whereas experiencing greater concern and decreased emotional distress were associated with improved therapeutic alliance in the working phase. Implications for practice These findings may help gain awareness among nurses of the importance of empathy in the nurse-patient relationships, as well as inform educational programmes, by including training in empathic strategies and emotional management.

Keywords: acute care; acute mental health; empathy; therapeutic relationships.

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How do you establish a therapeutic relationship with a patient?

Fostering therapeutic nurse-patient relationships.

Introduce yourself to your patient and use her name while talking with her. ... .

Make sure your patient has privacy when you provide care. ... .

Actively listen to your patient. ... .

Maintain eye contact. ... .

Maintain professional boundaries..

When developing a therapeutic relationship with a client which characteristic is most essential?

Empathy is considered to be one of the most important characteristics of the therapeutic relationship.

When a nurse establishes a therapeutic relationship with a patient which of the following is the primary focus for the client's care?

1. Which is the primary nursing goal when establishing a therapeutic relationship with a client? The goal of a therapeutic nursing interaction is to promote client insight and behavioral change directed toward client growth.

What are the 4 stages of a therapeutic relationship?

Ideally, the therapeutic relationship has a clear starting point and ending point. It progresses through the four stages outlined above: commitment, process, change, and termination.