‘Samen in plaats van alleen’

‘Together instead of alone’: Experiences with the presence-oriented approach in long term forensic care The relationship between staff and patients influences the safety and effectiveness of treatment in forensic care. The presence-oriented approach focuses on optimizing that relationship. There is little evidence for the presence-oriented approach in forensic care. This study explores the influence of relational working according to the presence-oriented approach on the quality of the living environment and the self-image of patients in a forensic clinic where long-term care is provided. Quantitative research was conducted among 31 patients. Before and after introduction of the presence-oriented approach, the GCI-R and the RSES were administered to map the perception of the living environment and self-image. At the first measurement, patients already rated the living environment and their self-image as more than sufficient and from the patients’ perspective, both do not change significantly after the introduction of the presence-oriented work. Interviews with six employees show that working according to the presence-oriented approach forces professionals to self-reflect, which is experienced as complex but valuable and is associated with an increasing degree of customized care to patients. According to these employees, this increases the humanity factor in the collaboration. However, to continue working according to the presence-oriented approach, a comprehensive implementation policy is needed. Further research is necessary to determine how relational working in forensic care can best be guaranteed.