Therapeutic relationships

__Therapeutic Relationship__ __Suggested attributes of the nurse__


 * Empathetic
 * Accepting of individuality
 * Provide support
 * Genuine
 * Having unconditional regard for patients
 * Respectful
 * Maintain clear boundaries (Dziopa & Ahern, 2009).

 [|toronto physiotherapy] __Benefits of therapeutic relationship__


 * Problems can be solved easily
 * Improved medication compliance
 * Increased quality of life for patients through the provision of least restrictive care
 * Achievement of better outcomes

__What the nurse should do to help build a therapeutic relationship__


 * <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Introduce themselves
 * <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Remember the patients name
 * <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Interact with patients as equals
 * <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Give proper attention and respect patient’s opinions (Dziopa & Ahern, 2009).

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Learning Disabilities__

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;">//Therapeutic touch:// purposeful touching <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">of a person to give benefit either physically or psychologically, e.g. massage or therapeutic interventions as in physiotherapy.

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Touch can be used as a therapeutic way of healing and communicating with clients who have a learning disability. Gale and Hegarty (2000) suggest that it can also help improve a person’s quality of life, and emotional wellbeing.

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">There are two forms: procedural touch which has been described as being ‘task-oriented’, such as checking a patient’s pulse, administering medication or monitoring blood pressure. And nonprocedural touch which has been described as ‘not task-oriented’, including holding a patient’s hand while talking or placing one’s arm around the shoulder of another in a supportive gesture.

<span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__References__

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;">Dziopa, F. and Ahern, K. (2009) “Three Different Ways Mental Health Nurses Develop Quality Therapeutic Relationships”. //Issues in Mental Health Nursing.// 30, pp.14 – 22.

<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;">Gale E and Hegarty J.R. (2000) “ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 16pt;">The Use Of Touch In Caring For People With A Learning Disability”. //The British Journal of Developmental Disabilities.// 46:91, pp.97 – 108.