Exploring Mutuality in Nurse-Care Recipient Relationships in a Primary Care Setting: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Primary Care
• Health Relationships

Background:

• Primary care nurses build long-term relationships, crucial for person-centered care.
• The development of mutuality in primary care nurse-patient relationships is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe mutuality characteristics in primary care.
• To explore how mutuality develops between nurses and care recipients.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study with 14 nurses and 27 care recipients in primary care.
• Semistructured interviews (individual and dyadic) were conducted.
• Framework analysis guided by a mutuality conceptual framework.

Main Results:

• Mutuality is influenced by organizational factors (care continuity, nurse autonomy) and personal factors.
• The mutuality process involves building relationships beyond formal encounters, consistent presence, and shared decision-making.
• Outcomes include enhanced nurse identity/satisfaction and improved patient well-being/self-efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Mutuality in primary care shifts interactions to trust-based relationships, improving communication and shared decision-making.
• Care continuity, nurse autonomy, and relational skills are key to sustaining mutuality and quality care.