Promoting Trust in the Registered Nurse-Patient Relationship

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Patient-Provider Relationships

Background:

• Trust is fundamental to the registered nurse (RN)-patient relationship.
• A trusting relationship promotes patient engagement and active participation in care.
• Understanding the factors influencing trust is crucial for effective home healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review nursing literature and identify antecedents, attributes, and outcomes of trusting relationships between RNs and patients in home healthcare.
• To synthesize existing research on trust in the RN-patient dyad within the home care context.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of nursing literature.
• Identification and analysis of antecedents, attributes, and outcomes of trust in RN-patient relationships.
• Synthesis of findings related to home healthcare settings.

Main Results:

• Antecedents of trust include meeting needs, respect, time, continuity of care, and the initial visit.
• Key attributes of trust are communication, connection, and reciprocity.
• Outcomes of mutual trust include improved patient adaptation, health collaboration, security, and willingness to engage further.
• Barriers include lack of respect and incompetent or unethical care.

Conclusions:

• Establishing trust is vital for effective RN-patient interactions in home healthcare.
• Antecedents and attributes like communication and respect facilitate trust.
• Mutual trust leads to enhanced patient engagement, collaboration, and improved health outcomes.
• Addressing barriers is essential for fostering trusting relationships.