Thesis advisor: Dorothy A. Jones / Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define, develop, and psychometrically evaluate a scale designed to measure Nurse’s Perception of the Relationship Based Care Environment. Background: Relationship is a complex multidimensional concept. It is a critical component of professional practice and core to the interaction between nurse and patient. While there are a number of scales available to measure different dimensions of relationships between nurses and other groups there is no one scale that captures multiple dimensions. Methods: Based on a review of the literature and an earlier qualitative study, a theoretical representation was developed. This representation became the framework for development of elements and items for the NPRBCE scale. The content validity of the NPRBCE scale was determined by an expert panel of Registered Nurses. Four hundred and seventy three Registered Nurse participants completed the survey. Analysis: Data were subjected to Principal Components Analysis and Cronbach’s alpha was computed to determine reliability of the scale as a whole and each of the components of the scale. Results: The final solution was a five component 56-item scale. The five components include: nurse/ other discipline; nurse/organization; nurse/ nurse; nurse/ patient- knowing the patient; and nurse/patient-respecting the patient. The scale as a whole and each of the resulting components were found to be reliable. The components were parsimonious and interpretable. Keywords: relationship based care, relationship centered care, nurse practice environment / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2016. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

Abstract This study deals with the phenomenon of a doctor-patient relationship from a relationship-centered care point of view. Relationship-centered care is viewed as an opportunity for the doctor to enhance comprehensive care of the patient and to improve the quality of primary health care. The research was conducted in the context of General Practice-education aimed at physicians specializing in general medicine. The training was organized by the General Practice Unit of Northern Ostrobothnia Hospital district (PPSHP) and the Department of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Oulu. The aim of the research is to increase understanding of the phenomenon of a patient-doctor relationship. The phenomenon is examined by looking at the possibilities for a doctor specializing in general medicine to have a personal doctor-patient relationship with dialogical orientation. With the help of personal reflection the doctor specializing in general medicine can develop ways to prepare for the relationship and be in it. The possibility for a patient to encounter valuable care is constructed through reflection and introduction of dialogue. A doctor working in relationship-centered care strategically receives information about the patient's personal experiences. Combining this information with the latest biomedical knowledge assists in the general recommendations of the Current Care Guidelines, when applying them individually. The research is qualitative. The data comprises 16 doctors who participated in the General Practice-education, their semi-structured thematic interviews with transcribed texts, as well as the findings from questionnaires completed at the end of the education. The data is analyzed using qualitative methods. The results showed that subjects felt that the core of general medicine is a personal doctor-patient relationship, in which it is essential to listen to the patient's concerns, experiences, thoughts and expectations when making treatment decisions and deciding on the correct diagnosis. Personal readiness is increased by the doctor-patient relationship when outlining the theoretical content, practicing situations of interaction, handling challenges that have emerged from work in a peer group, as well as the doctor's awareness based on previous work experience in medicine. There can be barriers, attitudes, beliefs and non-processed emotions that emerge from one's personal history of experiences; processing these strengthens the belief in one’s own abilities to work according to internal information and to be more personally present in relationships. The results could be utilized during basic medical education and post-graduate training, as well as in supervision. / Tiivistelmä Tutkimus käsittelee potilas-lääkärisuhteessa olemisen ilmiötä suhdekeskeisyyden näkökulmasta. Suhdekeskeisyyttä tarkastellaan lääkärin mahdollisuutena tehostaa potilaan kokonaisvaltaista hoitamista ja hoidon laatua. Tutkimus toteutettiin prosessiluontoisessa General Practice -koulutuksessa, joka oli suunnattu yleislääketieteeseen erikoistuville lääkäreille. Koulutuksen järjestivät Pohjois-Pohjanmaan sairaanhoitopiirin kuntayhtymän (PPSHP) yleislääketieteen yksikkö ja Oulun yliopiston lääketieteellisen tiedekunnan terveystieteiden laitos. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on lisätä ymmärrystä potilas-lääkärisuhteessa olemisen ilmiöstä. Ilmiötä lähestytään tarkastelemalla yleislääketieteeseen erikoistuvan lääkärin mahdollisuuksia olla potilas-lääkärisuhteessa persoonallisesti ja dialogisuutta tavoitellen. Persoonallisen reflektion avulla yleislääketieteeseen erikoistuva lääkäri voi kehittää valmiuksiaan asettua suhteeseen ja olla siinä. Reflektiivisyyden käynnistyminen ja dialogisuuden omaksuminen mahdollistavat potilasta arvostavien hoitokohtaamisten rakentumisen. Suhdekeskeisesti työskentelevä lääkäri saa henkilökohtaista tietoa potilaan kokemusmaailmasta. Tämän tiedon yhdistäminen uusimpaan biolääketieteelliseen tietoon auttaa yleisten Käypä hoito -suositusten soveltamisessa yksilöllisesti. Tutkimus on laadullinen tutkimus, jonka aineisto koostuu 16:n General Practice -koulutukseen osallistuneen lääkärin puoli-strukturoiduista teemahaastatteluista litteroiduista teksteistä, heidän reflektiopäiväkirjoistaan sekä koulutuksen lopussa suoritetusta palautekyselystä. Aineisto analysoidaan laadullisin menetelmin. Tulosten mukaan tutkittavat pitävät yleislääketieteen ytimenä persoonallista potilas-lääkärisuhdetta, jossa oikean diagnoosin ja potilasta hyödyttävien hoitopäätösten tekemisen kannalta on oleellista kuunnella potilaan huolia, kokemuksia, ajatuksia ja odotuksia. Persoonallisia valmiuksia lisäävät potilas-lääkärisuhteen sisältöjen teoreettinen jäsentely, vuorovaikutustilanteiden harjoittelu, työstä nousevien haasteellisten tapausten käsittely vertaisryhmässä sekä lääkärin kokemushistoriasta kumpuavien asioiden tiedostaminen ja käsittely. Omasta kokemushistoriasta kumpuavien esteiden, asenteiden, uskomusten ja tunteiden käsittelemättömyyden työstäminen vahvistaa uskoa omiin kykyihin toimia sisäisen informaation mukaan ja olla persoonallisemmin läsnä suhteissa. Tutkimuksen tuloksia voidaan hyödyntää lääkäreiden perus- ja jatkokoulutuksessa sekä lääkäreiden työnohjauksessa.

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Therapeutic relationships were explored using participatory action research in recreation therapy at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SHSC). The 22 recreation therapists at SHSC comprised the research team and were actively involved throughout the research process; they determined the research questions, the research process, and engaged in data collection and data analysis. This study explored how recreation therapists understood their therapeutic relationships, how different waves of influences were negotiated and philosophies of care that emerged in their therapeutic relationships. At first glance, therapeutic relationships were understood as meaningful connections and shared experiences that developed over time between a recreation therapist and individual receiving care. Later on, therapeutic relationships emerged as a complex process with welcoming, continuing and closing phases. Positive therapeutic relationships were defined by qualities such as caring, trust, respect, and non-judgment for everyone involved. Therapeutic relationships were also influenced by the organizational context, unit specific cultures, family, and staff members and recreation therapists continually negotiated the expectations, power and boundaries of these influences within their therapeutic relationships. The recreation therapists also discussed the different roles, they and the individuals receiving care could engage in during their therapeutic relationships ranging from the traditional, contemporary or controversial. Findings revealed that recreation therapists’ practices were predominantly influenced by person-centered care philosophies, although the biomedical model and relationship-centred care philosophies were also apparent. The practice of being in the moment emerged as a means of enhancing therapeutic relationships, whereas self-reflective practice assisted the recreation therapists to negotiate different waves of influence on their therapeutic relationships.

Therapeutic relationships were explored using participatory action research in recreation therapy at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (SHSC). The 22 recreation therapists at SHSC comprised the research team and were actively involved throughout the research process; they determined the research questions, the research process, and engaged in data collection and data analysis. This study explored how recreation therapists understood their therapeutic relationships, how different waves of influences were negotiated and philosophies of care that emerged in their therapeutic relationships. At first glance, therapeutic relationships were understood as meaningful connections and shared experiences that developed over time between a recreation therapist and individual receiving care. Later on, therapeutic relationships emerged as a complex process with welcoming, continuing and closing phases. Positive therapeutic relationships were defined by qualities such as caring, trust, respect, and non-judgment for everyone involved. Therapeutic relationships were also influenced by the organizational context, unit specific cultures, family, and staff members and recreation therapists continually negotiated the expectations, power and boundaries of these influences within their therapeutic relationships. The recreation therapists also discussed the different roles, they and the individuals receiving care could engage in during their therapeutic relationships ranging from the traditional, contemporary or controversial. Findings revealed that recreation therapists’ practices were predominantly influenced by person-centered care philosophies, although the biomedical model and relationship-centred care philosophies were also apparent. The practice of being in the moment emerged as a means of enhancing therapeutic relationships, whereas self-reflective practice assisted the recreation therapists to negotiate different waves of influence on their therapeutic relationships.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The PeerSpirit Circle is a non-hierarchical, intentional, and relationship-centered practice of collaboration. There is a lack of scientific knowledge about the phenomenon of the PeerSpirit Circle in nursing or its potential impact on nursing practice, education, research, and the evolution of the profession and health care. The health care milieu is often entrenched in ways of being that do not support sustained change. For vitality to prosper and creativity to abound, paradigmatic shifts and new models of practice that emphasize collaboration are being called for. The purpose and aims of this phenomenological research study are to explore and give voice to the experiences of nurses who have participated in the PeerSpirit Circle model of practice with other nurses. The study includes interviews from five registered nurses from Canada and the United States conducted from 2009–2010 and interpreted from a Gadamerian philosophical hermeneutic perspective. The research findings reveal three themes: (1) experiencing the Circle container” where participants begin to understand the value of intentional preparation of the interpersonal space for safe human interaction and stronger collaboration—there are experiences of gathering, protecting, appreciating ritual, and sharing stories; (2) Experiencing space where protected space seems to be the essential element to inspire the presencing of participants with self and other, which in turn engenders genuine dialogue, a sense of sacred space, and freedom to be authentic; and (3) Experiencing our humanity, an unfolding theme, where participants experience reconnection with and understanding of their deeper humanity, stronger congruence with their core values, deeper experiences of caring and courage, personal and professional growth, and a profound appreciation for belonging to a lineage of nurses. The findings inspire a deeper understanding of barriers to congruence between values and action in nursing and nurses’ need to acknowledge, honor, support, and protect each other’s vulnerability. The implications for nursing practice, education, and research show that the PeerSpirit Circle model is a beneficial for use in all settings.