Defining and implementing a standard for therapeutic relationships

As family-centered care gradually became the norm in care of infants and children, relationships between staff, patients, and families became more complex. Because the complexity of these relationships was rarely, if ever, addressed, widely divergent, sometimes detrimental, behaviors evolved. Therapeutic relationships, which promote caring and define relationships with patients and families, are a positive and professional means to promote a family's control over their own child's health. This article describes assessment of nurse/patient/family relationships using family systems theory as a framework. The experience of implementing a culture shift toward therapeutic relationships is described.