Mutual timing: an essential component of provider/patient communication

To present a concept clarification in an effort to give a name to a commonly experienced but poorly understood communication process: mutual timing.

Extensive literature review of scientific and nursing literature; relevant theories; standardized process for concept clarification as delineated in the literature.

Good communication involves many familiar concepts, including good eye contact, attentive listening and the use of silence and touch. Mutual timing is the difference-making moment, creating common ground in the midst of engagement. Concept clarification is a critical step to understanding important practice concepts. Wedding the concept to everyday practice provides the beginning for development of guidelines, which can be used by nurse practitioners (NPs) for making decisions while caring for patients.

Nursing has claimed to be privy to a special relationship with patients that differs from other health care professions. When asked to differentiate their care from that of physicians, NPs are often quoted as valuing the psychosocial aspect of care and stressing the importance of their relationship with patients. Many NPs define themselves in terms of relationship, emphasizing strong moral obligations and mutual commitments with their patients. One of the core processes of the effective patient/provider relationship is good communication.