Therapeutic relationship

This chapter will focus upon the relationship that exists between the nurse and the patient and their family. It is recognised that such a relationship should be therapeutic, and indeed this seems essential to the delivery of effective nursing care. However, it is unwise to assume a therapeutic relationship will automatically occur, as there are many challenges in establishing and maintaining such a relationship in community settings. In this chapter the key features of a therapeutic relationship will be identified, and some of the challenges of maintaining that relationship in a community setting will be discussed. This will lead the reader to consider some of the issues or particular relevance to his/her patient group, and to explore some of the consequences of failing to establish and maintain relationships. In conclusion, the current and potential changes in healthcare delivery will be reviewed with particular reference to the way these changes might impact on the nurse/patient/family relationship.