Nurse-patient therapeutic relationship
This is a clinical incident which I have encountered in the initial days of my nursing practice as a registered nurse in India. I am using steps of the Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988) to reflect the whole situation. This cycle consists of six stages (description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, and conclusion and action plan) (Lewis, 2015). Reflection in nursing is important to appraise the practice, adopt new and advanced changes, and update professional knowledge. This experience is related to prioritizing patient-centered care by developing a therapeutic relationship with the patient and family members at the workplace (Hamovitch et al, 2018).
While working in the surgical recovery room, I noticed that one of the patients, who was a female nearly 65 years old, was refusing to eat. After a thorough assessment, I came to know that patient was feeling lonely and depressed. I approached the client and tried to explore her feelings regarding the underlying issue. Initially, the patient denied disclosing the matter, however, eventually, by following principles of therapeutic relationship I succeeded to develop trust. Eventually, she felt ventilated and agreed to eat.
It was a sad situation for me because I was empathizing the situation my putting myself at her place. She was 65 years old and nobody was there to look after her.
After constant attempts to make a good therapeutic relationship with the patient, I succeeded to know that she was depressed because of living alone, as her husband was no more and her only son was living away. I analysed that depression and loneliness were the main contributing factors of his resisting and denying behavior (Tony, 2019). These factors were further contributing to poor health (Tony, 2019). I analysed that trust and mutual understanding are important to develop therapeutic relationships in any workplace.
In conclusion, maintaining a good and trust-worthy IPR (Inter-Personal Relationship) at the workplace is a fundamental principle to provide quality and patient-centered care to the patients and their families (Abaan, 2018). The nurses must show sincerity, trustworthiness, dedication, and empathy to develop IPR with their patients. Effective communication and active listening can also help to gain the trust of the patient. Also, a nurse must be able to notice and understand non-verbal methods of communication such as gestures and facial expressions. The overall purpose of maintaining good IPR is enhancing the patient’s ability to explore feelings and increase collaboration.
Next day, I discussed the specific incident with the supervisor of the ward. She suggested all the staff working in surgical recovery to maintain a good rapport with patients and their families by following basic nursing principles such as privacy, confidentiality, trust etc. Besides, I understood that therapeutic relationship and communication are important to understand our patients and their therapeutic needs.
In conclusion, I mentioned one of my experiences, specifically about the impact of the therapeutic relationship on the overall health of the patient. I reflected my experience by using the Gibbs Reflective Cycle.
This is a clinical incident which I have encountered in the initial days of my nursing practice as a registered nurse in India. I am using steps of the Gibbs Reflective Cycle (1988) to reflect the whole situation. This cycle consists of six stages (description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, and conclusion and action plan) (Lewis, 2015). Reflection in nursing is important to appraise the practice, adopt new and advanced changes, and update professional knowledge. This experience is related to prioritizing patient-centered care by developing a therapeutic relationship with the patient and family members at the workplace (Hamovitch et al, 2018).
While working in the surgical recovery room, I noticed that one of the patients, who was a female nearly 65 years old, was refusing to eat. After a thorough assessment, I came to know that patient was feeling lonely and depressed. I approached the client and tried to explore her feelings regarding the underlying issue. Initially, the patient denied disclosing the matter, however, eventually, by following principles of therapeutic relationship I succeeded to develop trust. Eventually, she felt ventilated and agreed to eat.
It was a sad situation for me because I was empathizing the situation my putting myself at her place. She was 65 years old and nobody was there to look after her.
After constant attempts to make a good therapeutic relationship with the patient, I succeeded to know that she was depressed because of living alone, as her husband was no more and her only son was living away. I analysed that depression and loneliness were the main contributing factors of his resisting and denying behavior (Tony, 2019). These factors were further contributing to poor health (Tony, 2019). I analysed that trust and mutual understanding are important to develop therapeutic relationships in any workplace.
In conclusion, maintaining a good and trust-worthy IPR (Inter-Personal Relationship) at the workplace is a fundamental principle to provide quality and patient-centered care to the patients and their families (Abaan, 2018). The nurses must show sincerity, trustworthiness, dedication, and empathy to develop IPR with their patients. Effective communication and active listening can also help to gain the trust of the patient. Also, a nurse must be able to notice and understand non-verbal methods of communication such as gestures and facial expressions. The overall purpose of maintaining good IPR is enhancing the patient’s ability to explore feelings and increase collaboration.
Next day, I discussed the specific incident with the supervisor of the ward. She suggested all the staff working in surgical recovery to maintain a good rapport with patients and their families by following basic nursing principles such as privacy, confidentiality, trust etc. Besides, I understood that therapeutic relationship and communication are important to understand our patients and their therapeutic needs.
In conclusion, I mentioned one of my experiences, specifically about the impact of the therapeutic relationship on the overall health of the patient. I reflected my experience by using the Gibbs Reflective Cycle.