Effects of nurse-patient relationship on the health of patients. (original) (raw)

This study sought to make the effects of nurse-patients relationship explicit, using the Ejisu Government Hospital as the setting. The population of the study was all nurses and patients of Ejisu Government Hospital. A random probability sampling technique was used to sample 83 composing of 68 patients and 15 nurses for the study. A case study sampling design was used to have in depth knowledge. Data were collected using questionnaire and observation as the tools of data collection. The findings revealed the influence of the socio-demographic characteristics of nurses and patients in the caring and curing relationship. No significant relationship was seen in the demographic characteristics of nurses and the kind of relationship they ensure. On the other hand, some demographics particularly the sex of patients revealed significant influence on their relationship with nurses. The crosstab revealed that female patients co-operate more and listens to the instructions of nurses than male patients. The study revealed three kinds of nurse-patient relationships. The kinds of nurse-patient relationship revealed were positive relationship, negative relationship and over-involved relationship. Negative nurse-patient relationship was seen to kill patients slowly; can deteriorate the physical, psychological and emotional state (depression, anxiety and stress) of patients and worsens patients‟ adjustment to illness while the positive nurse-patients relationship were also seen to ensure greater adherence of patients to treatment, increases patients‟ recovery rate, improves the level of patients satisfaction and ensures patients‟ sense of safety and protection. Per the findings of the study, it was recommended that the hospital environment should not be too formal where everything is officially carried out. The environment should therefore be informal to make the patients feel ease. This will release any undue pressure that might worsen their illness.