Nurse Patient Relationship

Marcus Engle was freshman in college when he got into a car accident that changed his life forever. With decreased physical ability and inability to see, Marcus had to find a way to adapt to theses modifications to this life. Most importantly, this life changing experience helped to analyze all effective and ineffective forms of communication he experienced while he was in the hospital. In his book “I’m Here” he talks about it is important establishing an effective therapeutic relationship between healthcare provider and the patient because it will help them work together towards a common goal, patient’s health goals. Unlike social relationship, this relationship is dynamic, client focused, and client’s goal oriented to enhance patient outcome.
Barb makes Marcus feel as though he is a big part of this healing process, which add to a relationship being therapeutic. At the end of his stay at the hospital, the health care providers’ (such as Barb) and patients’ (Marcus) relationship comes to an end because that is the evolution that must be taken by all nurse-patient relationship, this is known as the termination phase. Because nurse-patient relationship is a professional, it ends when the patient meets their health goal or helps patient set a new goal. Building therapeutic relationship is critical because it helps the patient leave with a feeling of being incorporated in their health care process, but also satisfied with the cared they have
Dr. Dennis Fuller, speech pathologist used therapeutic technique with Marcus. When Marcus spoke his first word, he knew that he was slurring and not speaking as clearly as he used to before the accident. Marcus at this moment felt defeated and states “it’s awful” (Engel, 68). Dr. Fuller responded by saying “you can’t expect miracles on the first day” (Engel, 68). Which gave Marcus hope that he will one day be able to speak more clearly than he did today. Dr. Fuller wanted to give Marcus realistic goals, helping him take one step at a time. Another helpfully technique was practiced in this book was when Dr. Beehner came to unwire Marcus’ jaw. During their whole interaction, the doctor directed all question to Marcus and talked to him, making him feel like he is a vital part of this healing process. Dr. Beehner created this feeling in Marcus through the use of pronouns like we, us, and our (Engel, 114-17). Giving the patient that you as a health care provider want the same thing they do is very important. These two techniques help Marcuse positively respond to the treatment because he felt like he was part of the