Abstract
Session presented on: Wednesday, July 24, 2013:
Purpose: Facilitation of a therapeutic relationship is an essential skill in nursing, particularly in mental health care. Nurses in private general hospitals are exposed to the emotional effects of physical illness as well as the increase in admission of patients with mental health needs. Poor nurse- patient relationships have been reported by patients and in the media. The researchers experienced incidents of an apparent lack of awareness during nurse-patient interactions while working in private general hospitals. However, no studies have been done on how nurses and care workers perceive a therapeutic relationship with patients in terms of their emotional and mental health needs. In accordance with the research problem, the purpose of the study was to explore and describe nurses' perceptions of facilitating a nurse-patient therapeutic relationship.
Methods: A quantitative, contextual and deductive study was conducted in three private general hospitals in Gauteng, South Africa with a purposive sample of 184 nurses and care workers. Based on the concepts of a therapeutic relationship, empathy, positive regard, genuineness, concreteness and self-exploration, nurses' perceptions of facilitating a therapeutic relationship were self-assessed on five point scales in a questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistical techniques. Specific hypotheses were tested to identify whether statistically significant differences existed between the perceptions of two or more categories of nurses.
Results: Results showed general insensitivity, lack of awareness and reflection of nurses and care workers regarding the patients' emotional needs. When categories of nurses were compared, no statistically significant differences were found between the perceptions of various groups tested.
Conclusion: Previous training or experience was clearly not retained over time; therefore, all categories of nurses need to be equipped with the necessary self-awareness and interpersonal skills to facilitate a nurse-patient relationship with patients who have physical and mental health needs.
Sigma Membership
Tau Lambda at-Large
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
N/A
Keywords:
Perception, Therapeutic Relationships, Nurses
Recommended Citation
Van den Heever, Annalie E., "Nurses' perceptions of facilitating a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship in private general hospitals in South Africa" (2013). INRC (Congress). 57.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2013/presentations_2013/57
Conference Name
24th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Prague, Czech Republic
Conference Year
2013
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Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Nurses' perceptions of facilitating a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship in private general hospitals in South Africa
Prague, Czech Republic
Session presented on: Wednesday, July 24, 2013:
Purpose: Facilitation of a therapeutic relationship is an essential skill in nursing, particularly in mental health care. Nurses in private general hospitals are exposed to the emotional effects of physical illness as well as the increase in admission of patients with mental health needs. Poor nurse- patient relationships have been reported by patients and in the media. The researchers experienced incidents of an apparent lack of awareness during nurse-patient interactions while working in private general hospitals. However, no studies have been done on how nurses and care workers perceive a therapeutic relationship with patients in terms of their emotional and mental health needs. In accordance with the research problem, the purpose of the study was to explore and describe nurses' perceptions of facilitating a nurse-patient therapeutic relationship.
Methods: A quantitative, contextual and deductive study was conducted in three private general hospitals in Gauteng, South Africa with a purposive sample of 184 nurses and care workers. Based on the concepts of a therapeutic relationship, empathy, positive regard, genuineness, concreteness and self-exploration, nurses' perceptions of facilitating a therapeutic relationship were self-assessed on five point scales in a questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric statistical techniques. Specific hypotheses were tested to identify whether statistically significant differences existed between the perceptions of two or more categories of nurses.
Results: Results showed general insensitivity, lack of awareness and reflection of nurses and care workers regarding the patients' emotional needs. When categories of nurses were compared, no statistically significant differences were found between the perceptions of various groups tested.
Conclusion: Previous training or experience was clearly not retained over time; therefore, all categories of nurses need to be equipped with the necessary self-awareness and interpersonal skills to facilitate a nurse-patient relationship with patients who have physical and mental health needs.