Reviewing the nurse-patient partnership.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Professional Studies

Background:

• Patient-centered care is a cornerstone of modern nursing practice.
• The concept of 'partnership' between nurses and patients is increasingly recognized as vital.
• Understanding the nuances of this partnership is crucial for effective healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a framework for examining the concept of nurse-patient partnership.
• To explore how the nursing profession views and utilizes the partnership concept.
• To provide clarity on the complex nature of nurse-patient partnerships.

Main Methods:

• A formal review of existing literature was conducted.
• Searches included British and international nursing journals.
• Relevant nursing textbooks from the UK and USA were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• The review synthesized current understanding and application of nurse-patient partnerships.
• Identified variations in how partnership is conceptualized and implemented.
• Highlighted the complexity and multifaceted nature of this nursing relationship.

Conclusions:

• The concept of nurse-patient partnership requires further conceptual clarification.
• A framework for understanding and utilizing partnership in nursing is proposed.
• This review contributes to a deeper understanding of nurse-patient dynamics in contemporary nursing.