Promoting nurse-patient therapeutic relationship in the Patient Assessment and Transition to Home unit at Peace Arch Hospital

Abstract

Nurse–patient therapeutic relationships (NPTR) have the potential to contribute to optimal health conditions for patients and facilitate quality and effective nursing care; however, there is not always a commitment and focus on NPTR practice. This action-oriented inquiry engaged nursing staff at the Patient Assessment and Transition to Home (PATH) unit at Peace Arch Hospital (PAH) to explore through an appreciative orientation the overarching research question: How might the nursing staff enhance the nurse–patient therapeutic relationship in the PATH unit? Engaging nursing staff through a series of stringed Liberating Structures revealed that the nursing staff are practicing NPTR through diverse and complementary ways, such as building rapport, honest communication, being empathetic, and going above and beyond the assigned responsibility. In addition, situational and systemic factors help nurture NPTR in practice, including staff education and collaboration, patient willingness, and time availability. However, participants also revealed an enhanced emphasis on NPTR is needed to improve patient care, staff well-being and reduce operational costs. The research concludes offering action-oriented recommendations to support an ongoing commitment to NPTR and enhanced NPTR practice.