Assig 6 CH

The importance of forming relationships and bonds with patients and families in the development of healthy and working environments. The eventual outcome is the formation of a supportive community as per the definition offered by NursingEducationRes (2009). However, the current environment is experiencing challenges in forming relationships with patients. The outcome is more effort expended by the medical community, particularly nurses and primary physicians, to provide care and assistance. Considering the need for such relations is not mandatory, its involvement has greater advantages when assessing patient aftercare services and consultation. Thus, barriers to forming an effective relationship with families are caused by poor communication, lack of support, and lack of family participation.

According to a study by Norouzinia et al (2015), communication is the key requirement in the development of a healthy relationship between the patient, their families, and the medical staff, nurses. Based on the results of their qualitative study, they identified higher levels of satisfaction with the medical staff having more interactive and effective communication skills. However, the study concluded that research needed to address racially and culturally diverse communities has yet to be delivered. In such environments, dynamic communication skills are needed for healthy relationships (Norouzinia et al., 2015). Nevertheless, relationships are simpler to create when both parties have common familiarity and experience. With proper integration, it may offer the desired solution to helping medical staff ensure comprehensive practice. It may also be implemented in workshops and training sessions to help medical practitioners improve their practice.

Support is also a key requirement in developing valuable relations as it takes the form of empathy. According to Orgambídez-Ramos & de Almeida (2017), patients and their families value practitioners who express concern over their welfare. The notion is further supported by () whose publication encourages emotional support for patients. The researchers further state that the role of emotional support is to encourage patients to value their welfare. It eliminates the notion of coercion to undertake tests or take medication. Misinterpretations by patients are identified to frequently rise from prejudicial treatment and neglect of the patient’s emotional status (Orgambídez-Ramos & de Almeida, 2017). However, there is limited research on the emotional effects on the medical staff. Medical practitioners are expected to express emotional support, but due to the limited support for medical staff, the outcomes are negative (Pohl & Galletta, 2017). Regardless, empirical data back the notion of emotional support as it aids in the development of relationships with patients and their families.

Lastly, the involvement of patient families in medical decision-making further aids in the development of relationships (Woodgate et al., 2018). However, in some situations, families impose decisions that contradict the patient’s desires. Though the role of a nurse is to support patients and ensure they receive maximum care, they are also required to be aware of familial recommendations. Issues arise when nurses or medical professionals make independent decisions without consulting the patient or family (Woodgate et al., 2018). Overall, communication, participation, and support are the main barriers to forming an effective relationship with families. However, imposing solutions contradict the role of nurses in caring for the patients thus the need for the development of ethical and moral considerations.

References