Important concepts to use when building a therapeutic relationship and what are barriers to therapeutic
1. What are some important concepts to use when building a therapeutic relationship and what are barriers to therapeutic
relationships?
2. Describe how you established a therapeutic relationship and outline your conversation with the resident. What were
some positive techniques you used to build the relationship and communication?
3. Did you encounter any barriers during the conversation?
4. Give 2 examples of therapeutic communication you observed during your clinical day (outline the conversation and
discuss the technique used).
5. What did you do well and what could you have improved on during this portion of the clinical day?
Nursing Clinical Patient Profile-Place in-text citations where references are used with a reference page at the end of this
document. 7
Sample Solution
Therapeutic Relationships in Nursing: Concepts, Barriers, and Clinical Experiences
1. Important Concepts and Barriers
Building a therapeutic relationship is a cornerstone of effective nursing care. Key concepts include:
- Trust: Establishing trust is essential for open communication and collaboration.
- Empathy: Understanding the patient's feelings and perspective is crucial for providing compassionate care.
- Respect: Treating the patient as an individual with dignity and worth is fundamental.
- Congruence: Ensuring that verbal and nonverbal communication align fosters authenticity.
- Unconditional Positive Regard: Accepting the patient without judgment, regardless of their behavior or circumstances.
Barriers to therapeutic relationships can include:
- Differences in cultural background or beliefs.
- Language barriers.
- Negative past experiences with healthcare providers.
- The patient's emotional state or mental health condition.
- The nurse's own personal biases or prejudices.
2. Establishing a Therapeutic Relationship
Conversation:
- Introduction: I introduced myself with a friendly smile and used the patient's preferred name.
- Active Listening: I maintained eye contact, nodded, and used verbal cues like "I understand" and "Tell me more" to show that I was attentive.
- Open-Ended Questions: I asked questions that encouraged the patient to share their thoughts and feelings, such as "How are you feeling today?" and "What are your concerns about your hospitalization?"
- Empathy: I expressed empathy by acknowledging the patient's feelings and experiences, such as "It sounds like you're feeling overwhelmed right now."
- Validation: I validated the patient's emotions, letting them know that their feelings were understandable and acceptable.
Full Answer Section
3. Barriers Encountered
During the conversation, I did not encounter any significant barriers. However, I was mindful of potential barriers, such as language differences or cultural differences, and adjusted my communication style accordingly.
4. Examples of Therapeutic Communication
Example 1:
- Patient: "I'm so scared about having surgery."
- Nurse: "It's understandable to feel scared before a procedure. Can you tell me more about what's making you anxious?"
- Technique: Reflection - This technique helps the patient to explore their thoughts and feelings further.
Example 2:
- Patient: "I don't think the doctor is listening to me."
- Nurse: "It sounds like you're feeling frustrated. I want to assure you that I'll advocate for you and communicate your concerns to the doctor."
- Technique: Reframing - This technique helps the patient to see their situation in a more positive light and can reduce feelings of helplessness.
5. Self-Evaluation
Strengths:
- I effectively used active listening techniques to engage the patient.
- I demonstrated empathy and understanding of the patient's feelings.
- I asked open-ended questions to encourage the patient to share their thoughts.
Areas for Improvement:
- I could have asked more probing questions to delve deeper into the patient's concerns.
- I could have used more nonverbal cues, such as a gentle touch on the patient's arm, to show that I cared.