A phenomenon is known as ‘patient education’ has been given great importance in the healthcare industry. It is defined as imparting important medical skills and knowledge that can help and encourage a patient to opt for healthier life choices after getting discharged from a hospital or a facility. A patient aware of and actively managing their health sees quicker recovery and is more satisfied with the care offered. The job of educating patients belongs to all healthcare workers, but nurses have been known to take up this role fully and perform it better than others.
The training nurses undertake teaches them patient-centered care. The term ‘patient care’ doesn’t only mean overlooking treatments and medication. Good care means establishing a relationship with the patient and emotionally connecting with them. It’s a way that helps the patient on the road to recovery. If you seek a career in nursing, you must understand how valuable the nurse-patient relationship can be for your career. But first, find here about LPN programs if you ever considered starting a career in nursing.
Better healthcare outcomes
Researches prove that a good nurse-patient relationship positively impacts healthcare outcomes. In patient-centric care, the end goal is a smooth and safe recovery of the patient. And this is only made possible when nurses are fully invested in the well-being of their patients. These researches have revolutionized formal education for nurses. Whether online or physical, professional nursing degrees now prioritize teaching communication skills, emotional intelligence, and excellent patient care, apart from all the medical training. There are multiple formal degrees in nursing education that all solely center on imparting excellent bedside manners. There is an ongoing debate on MSN vs DNP, the two higher degrees for RNs to pursue if they wish to grow in their careers. The differences mainly lie in how they conduct their program and teach. What is common between these two degrees is that their main focus remains patient-centric care.
Let’s look at this common example to understand the concept of how a good relationship with patients can improve health outcomes. Patients experience anxiety before any procedure or surgery. This anxiety can be because of either being totally in the dark or knowing too much. It is at this hour that the nurse can make the patient feel optimistic. Researchers say that this positive encouragement helps the patient experience lesser pain, and they recover much quicker than those who are afraid and anxious.
Emotional connection boosts understanding
Getting sick and requiring medical care can be extremely overwhelming for patients and their attendants. They are stressed and anxious about what will happen next. There is also a very little chance that the patient you are looking after comes from a medical education background. Even if they or any of their caretakers do have some knowledge, their minds will still have a zillion questions. Common problem patients and their attendants face is that they do not feel confident enough to ask questions or convey their feelings. A general sentiment amongst people is that healthcare workers might ridicule them for asking silly questions or expressing their fears.
The only way to change this public belief is to work towards establishing good relations with patients. When a nurse makes an effort to build a connection with their patient, the patient feels relaxed and can express themselves better. This can help relieve a lot of their stress and anxiety. Nurses that operate with empathy, kindness, and honesty can uplift the patient’s morale and catalyze their recovery process.
Patients feel that they are cared for
Establishing a good emotional relationship with the patient can give the feeling of being cared for. When patients know that their healthcare workers, particularly nurses, are fully invested and involved in their process towards recovery, their trust in the team and the treatment strengthens. Every nurse follows a strict schedule of administering medication and checking vitals. But any nurse that steps out of the box and ensures that their patients are comfortable and relaxed is already making the recovery process easier for their patients.
These are little gestures that do not take a long time. You can observe your patients and see how they interact with their families and friends. This can give you a lot of pointers. You can crack jokes and keep the atmosphere light to ease all the stress for the patient. You can also say a prayer with the patient before any procedure if you have observed religious inclination. You can even inquire about a patient’s close family, friends, or pets to let them know you care about them. These little tricks take only a few minutes, but their impact can go a long way.
Relationships enforce good follow-ups
A patient who trusts their healthcare team and treatment plan and who feels valued and taken care of is more likely to look after themselves once discharged. As discussed above, patient education is vital for recovery once the patient steps out of the hospital they were admitted to. Patients who are not satisfied with their care will never likely comply with their treatment and show up for follow-ups.
When a nurse cares, the patients become more engaged and involved in their healthcare. Developing relations with patients can help you win their trust and make them feel that their recovery is as important to you as it is to them. Welcoming them openly on follow-ups and remembering their medical details can make them feel comfortable and willing to follow all care instructions.
Nurses perform better
Nursing as a career is exceptionally rewarding. But we cannot ignore the difficulties and the challenges that come with it. The physical and emotional stress can be draining for these individuals. Research has proven that patient satisfaction rate is a morale booster for nurses, and it makes them eager to perform better in their field. The only way to ensure that the patients are satisfied with the quality of care they receive is by developing relations with them. It strengthens patients’ trust in their team as well as their treatment. Such measures, when taken, make recovery for the patient quicker, and they can also make the nurses’ job easier. When the patients are satisfied, nurses are eager to do better. This healthy cycle is only bound to help the healthcare industry improve and flourish.
Conclusion
Kindness, honesty, and empathy in the healthcare industry have a great impact. It now has been proven that apart from conducting the right tests and administering the right medication, bedside manners have a great part to play in the patient’s recovery. Nurses are prime caregivers in any sizeable medical facility. This is why they are now taught to establish and develop relations with their patients to make them feel relaxed and stress-free. These measures help inpatient recovery and improve overall patient satisfaction, which is what the end goal is.
