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Theory of Interpersonal Relations
Adrian Morejon Juiz
Ivonelia Moncada Rodriguez
Relvis Rivero
Florida National University
Theory of Interpersonal Relations
Developed by Hildegard Peplau in 1952.
It is a middle-range descriptive theory.
The theory emphasizes on the importance of nurse-patient relationship (Deane & Fain, 2015).
Theory of Interpersonal Relations identifies four phases of interpersonal relationship: orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution.
It holds that nursing is an interpersonal process involving interactions between two or more people with a shared common goal.
Hildegard Peplau
Hildegard Peplau was an American Nurse, born on September 1st 1909 and died on March 17, 1999.
Had a diploma from Pennsylvania School of Nursing, BA in interpersonal psychology, MA in psychiatric nursing, and EdD in curriculum development.
She had served as a Executive Director and President of American Nurses Association.
Famous for her Theory of Interpersonal Relations.
Cherished by nurses globally and she is considered as a Nurse of the Century and the Mother of Psychiatric Nursing.
Relevance of Theory of Interpersonal Relations in Healthcare
Theory is relevant in healthcare as it encourages interaction between healthcare providers and patients.
The theory formed a foundation of practitioner-patient relationship.
Practitioner-patient relationship is ideal for improving patient experience, satisfaction, and care outcome.
It demonstrate how healthcare workers can provide an accepting and trusting environments in healthcare facilities.
Appropriateness to the role of Nurse Practitioner
Theory of Interpersonal Relations can be incorporated in the nursing process.
A nurse practitioner roles are guided by the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
A nurse practitioner can use Theory of Interpersonal Relations when performing physical examinations and observation.
The theory would enable a nurse practitioner to conduct patient-centered assessment.
Appropriateness cont…
Theory of Interpersonal Relations is appropriate to nurse practitioner performing a nursing diagnosis.
It leads to patient-focused nursing diagnosis.
Theory is appropriate in care planning: the NP collaborate with patient to mutually set care goals.
The theory is relevant in implementation: the NP cooperate with patient to implement nursing interventions.
Theory of Interpersonal Relations is appropriate to the evaluation role of nurse practitioner : jointly evaluate to assess realization of mutually expected care goals.
Theory of Interpersonal Relations: Concepts
Nursing is an interpersonal, therapeutic process whereby, nurses engages in therapeutic relationships with individuals in need of healthcare services (Wasaya et al., 2021).
The goal of nursing is to help others understand their behaviors and identify their felt difficulties.
A nurse should apply principles and elements of human relations in the nursing process.
Nurses should use human relations principles address problems that arises at all experience levels.
Concept cont…
Theory of Interpersonal Relations views nursing as:
A healing art
Involving assisting the sick and those in need of health care.
Interpersonal process
It involves interactions of two or more people with a common goal.
When a patient and a nurse works together they became knowledgeable and mature.
A nursing goal is successfully attained by following sequential phases of therapeutic nurse-patient relationship.
Concepts: Roles of a Nurse
In a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship, nurses takes different roles:
Stranger: meet a client just like other strangers in real life, should create an accepting climate.
Resource person: provide professional information.
Teacher: educates the client.
Leader: offers direction.
Surrogate: serves as a substitute.
Counselor: provide guidance and encouragements.
Concepts: Sequential Phases of Therapeutic Nurse-patient Relationship
Hildegard Peplau identified four sequential phase: orientation, identification, exploitation, and resolution.
Orientation Phase
It is a problem defining stage/phase.
Starts when a nurse meets a nurse for the first time as a stranger.
Defining problem and determining services needed.
Patient seeks help, expresses needs, asks questions, conveys expectation, and shares preconceptions.
Nurse respond by defining of roles, purpose, goals, and rules of the process and helps identify problems (Arabacı, 2019).
Goals of this phase is to define problem, establish a professional relationship, and to build trust and respect.
Identification Phase
Nurse takes a role of a knowledge resource.
A nurse uses learned knowledge and expertise to identify problems and begins to formulate ideas and strategies to relieve them.
There is a selection of appropriate assistance.
Patient understands the problem to be resolved and recognizes his or her interdependent role in care process.
Patients develop a feeling that they are capable of dealing with the health problem: this decreases the feeling of hopelessness and helplessness.
Exploitation Phase
Patient makes full utilization of the services offered.
Usage of professional support for problem-solving alternatives.
Nurse help patient to exploit all avenues of help.
Focuses on self-direction and self-management.
The patient feels like an essential part of helping/care environment.
Nurses provide objective, reflective, and nonjudgmental feedback to help clarify thoughts ((Hagerty et al., 2017).
Resolution Phase
The common goal has been realized.
Patient no longer require professional services.
Patient gives up the dependent behavior.
Patient has an ability to make individual decision for help without depending on a nurse (Arabacı, 2019).
The patient and the nurse terminate their therapeutic relationship.
Applicability of Concepts to Daily Advanced Nursing Practice
The concept of applying principles of human relations is applicable to daily advanced nursing practice.
In essence, advanced nursing practices embraces principles human relations by encouraging patient-centered practice and care.
The concept of different nursing roles is applicable to daily advanced nursing practice: NPs takes up different role in practice such as leaders, resource person, counselor, and teacher.
The four sequential phases of therapeutic nurse-patient relationship are applicable to daily advanced nursing practice. Can be applied when performing a nursing process.
Relevance of Concepts of Theory to MSN Essentials
The concept on different roles of nurses is relevant to the MSN essential on organizational and system leadership.
The concept of nursing is an interpersonal process is relevant to the essential on interprofessional collaboration.
Nursing is a healing art is relevant to MSN essential on background for practice from science and humanities.
The four sequential phases are relevant to MSN essential on master’s‐level nursing practice: especially on performing comprehensive and systematic assessments as a base of decision-making.
Strengths
Gives nurses a structure/framework to base their interactions with patients (Fowler, 1995).
Promote patient-centered care which is an evidence-based practice.
It is consistent with other theories.
Has a high degree of applicability, simplicity, and generalizability.
References
Arabacı, L. B. (2019). Effect of using a Peplau's interpersonal relation nursing model in the care of a juvenile delinquent. Journal of Psychiatric Nursing. https://doi.org/10.14744/phd.2019.54366
Deane, W. H., & Fain, J. A. (2015). Incorporating Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations to promote holistic communication between older adults and nursing students. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 34(1), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010115577975
Fowler, J. (1995). Taking theory into practice: using Peplau's model in the care of a patient. Professional nurse (London, England), 10(4), 226-230
Hagerty, T. A., Samuels, W., Norcini-Pala, A., & Gigliotti, E. (2017). undefined. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(2), 160-167. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318417693286
Wasaya, F., Shah, Q., Shaheen, A., & Carroll, K. (2021). Peplau’s theory of interpersonal relations: A case study. Nursing Science Quarterly, 34(4), 368-371. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F08943184211031573