Patients' Experiences in Inviting Healthcare Persons Into Caring Relationships: A Thematic Analysis.
Marja Leena Portaankorva, Anne Kasén, Lisbeth Fagerström and 1 others
PMID 42002965WHAT IT FOUND
Patients with long-term illness described trying to invite nurses and doctors into care through greetings, small talk, advocacy, or strong appeals about suffering.
Some quiet invitations were missed, so nurses should watch for subtle cues.
Key findings
01Patients described taking initiative to contact staff through greetings, friendly talk, and checking whether staff seemed available.
02When patients felt their suffering was not seen, they said they had to be brave, demanding, and sometimes press the call button.
03Patients reported relief and confidence when staff saw their suffering and built a mutually caring relationship.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Findings come from 20 patients in Finnish day hospitals and outpatient clinics, so they may not apply to inpatients, other countries, or patients with less long-term care experience. Participants were recruited by nurses who already cared for them, which may have shaped their willingness or responses. The study relied on patients' accounts in interviews, not observed encounters, and participants did not review the findings. Some interviews were interrupted by nurses coming into the room, which may have affected privacy and depth. It describes experiences and themes, not whether staff responses improve care or outcomes.
Declared interests
The authors reported no funding and declared no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that a communication training programme or a specific response will improve care. This paper reports patients' experiences and themes, not tested effects on outcomes.