Reconceptualizing the nurse-patient relationship

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Relationship Dynamics
• Human Relatedness Theory

Background:

• The established nurse-patient relationship model.
• The foundational principles of human relatedness theory.

Purpose of the Study:

• Critically examine historical and current assumptions within the nurse-patient relationship.
• Propose an alternative framework for nurse-patient interactions aligned with contemporary healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• Systematic analysis of existing literature on nurse-patient relationships.
• Observational data collection from practicing nurses.
• Conceptualization and discussion of the human relatedness theory as a new model.

Main Results:

• Identified limitations in traditional nurse-patient relationship assumptions.
• The theory of human relatedness offers a novel perspective on nurse-patient dynamics.
• This framework is applicable to current healthcare environments.

Conclusions:

• The human relatedness framework enhances understanding of nurse-patient relationships.
• It provides new avenues for nursing assessment and intervention strategies.
• This model supports future research in nursing practice and theory development.