Mutuality between nurses and patients with chronic illnesses: A cross-sectional descriptive study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Patient-centered care
• Chronic illness management

Background:

• Mutuality in healthcare involves patient participation in decision-making and care.
• Understanding mutuality is crucial for effective nurse-patient relationships in chronic illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the level of mutuality between nurses and patients with chronic illnesses.
• To assess the dynamics of shared decision-making and emotional exchange in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design.
• Involved 249 patients and 249 nurses.
• Utilized the Nurse-Patient Mutuality in Chronic Illness scale.

Main Results:

• Patients reported higher mutuality scores, demonstrating strong reciprocity, emotional sharing, and goal alignment with nurses.
• Nurses experienced challenges in mutual sharing, particularly concerning emotions, objectives, and care planning.
• Low scores for egalitarian relationships were observed in both patient and nurse groups.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight a disparity in mutuality, with patients being more engaged than nurses.
• Emphasizes the need for enhanced nurse education and organizational support to foster patient involvement and shared decision-making.
• Clinical practice should prioritize patient-centered approaches, integrating patient goals and decisions into care plans.