The Four Stages Of A Therapeutic Relationship

"A therapeutic relationship is defined as 'one in which the patient feels comfortable being open and honest with the nurse' (Dart, 2011: 16) and is linked to the development of a productive relationship and positive patient outcomes (Canning et al, 2007)." This essay will discuss the characteristics of a therapeutic relationship, what rapport is and why it is important in a nurse-patient relationship, the 4 phases of a therapeutic relationship, the pre-interaction, introductory, working and terminations phases and the communication skill necessary in the development of a therapeutic relationship.

Rapport is a very important step in developing a successful therapeutic relationship between nurse and patient. Rapport is the ability to form and uphold a positive relationship. The rapport between nurses and patients enables the patient to feel comfortable and more relaxed in a situation where they are feeling stressed and vulnerable (Belcher and Jones 2009). It is the nurse's responsibility to respond to exactly what the patient says and does, fast, while respecting their different cultures, values, and beliefs (Belcher and Jones 2009). Rapport builds trust which is "an attitude in which the individual has the confidence to rely on someone or something." (Belcher and Jones 2009). It enables the nurses to care for the patients as well as they possibly can. Having trust in the nurse means that the patient will share information that will help aid
The first of the four is the pre-interaction phase. This phase allows the nurse to gain information about their patient before they meet for the first time. They gain the information from the patient's file and their family's file, it allows the nurse to be aware of what the patient's feeling and fears may be. It also allows the nurse to set up the space for the meeting well to make the patient feel relaxed and happy to be there during the working