Structural impediments to effective communication

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Psychiatry
• Communication Studies

Background:

• The nurse-patient relationship is crucial for therapeutic communication.
• Current understanding may limit its full potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the understanding of the nurse-patient relationship among mental health nurse authors.
• To investigate how this relationship influences therapeutic communication and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of scholarly works by mental health nurse authors.
• Literature review focusing on the conceptualization of the nurse-patient relationship.

Main Results:

• Mental health nurse authors rarely conceptualize the nurse-patient relationship as foundational to communication.
• The nurse's personal attributes are often disregarded, with focus on learned skills and techniques.
• Communication issues are typically attributed to patient factors or nurse technique, not the nurse's personal attributes.

Conclusions:

• A significant gap exists in understanding the nurse-patient relationship's role in facilitating therapeutic communication.
• Reconceptualizing the nurse-patient relationship is essential for enhancing therapeutic possibilities in mental health nursing.