Factors Facilitating the Nurse-patient Relationship in the Context of Involuntary Hospitalization for First-episode Psychosis
Introduction. The nurse-patient relationship is a key element in recovery for individuals involuntarily hospitalized for first-episode psychosis. However, the power imbalance between nurse and patient in this context can be detrimental to the relationship. Indeed, it is difficult for nurses to provide person-centred care and to seek collaboration with the patient under the circumstances. Objective. The aim of this study was to co-construct a vision of the ideal relationship between nurse and involuntarily hospitalized patient based on the recovery model. Methods. An appreciative inquiry action-research approach was used to enable five individuals involuntarily hospitalized for a psychotic episode and five attending nurses to share their positive relational experiences. Participants then reflected on the experiences to identify the ingredients useful to building the ideal nurse-patient relationship in this context. Results. The positive factors to emerge included certain nurse attributes, nursing interventions and contextual factors. The nurse-patient relationship would be facilitated by a nursing practice that promotes hope, empowerment, and self-awareness in patients. Discussion and conclusion. Nursing education should aim to develop active listening and humanism in nurses to facilitate the nurse-patient relationship. Also, care should be organized to encourage nurses to take time to listen to patients and the care environment should be rendered as safe and secure as possible. More research is required to develop educational interventions for nurses and nursing care models where priority is given to nurses listening to what patients have to say.