Exploring Nurse and Patient Experiences of Developing Rapport During Oncology Ambulatory Care Videoconferencing...

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Oncology
• Digital Health

Background:

• Videoconferencing became routine in oncology nursing during the pandemic.
• Little is known about developing clinician-patient rapport in virtual care settings.
• Virtual visits may challenge nurses' ability to form connections, show empathy, and provide support to cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate nurse-patient rapport in ambulatory cancer care via videoconferencing telehealth visits.
• To explore how patients and nurses describe experiences and strategies for cultivating rapport.
• To compare rapport in videoconferencing visits (VCVs) versus in-person visits (IPVs).

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study with 22 participants (10 cancer patients, 12 oncology nurses).
• Interviews conducted October 2021–March 2022.
• Conventional content analysis of interview data, with separate and comparative analysis of patient and nurse results.

Main Results:

• Three main themes emerged: person-centered care is foundational, adapting bedside manner for VCVs is feasible, and collaborative efforts ensure quality care.
• Barriers included interruptions, internet connectivity issues, privacy concerns, and lack of physical presence.
• Similarities were found in how nurses and patients described rapport experiences during VCVs.

Conclusions:

• Person-centered and relationship-based approaches can be adapted for VCVs, utilizing techniques like personal connection and active listening.
• Balancing VCV challenges and benefits is crucial for quality oncology care.
• Further research and guidelines are needed to optimize telehealth in cancer nursing.