Evaluating The Impact of The Nurse-Patient Relationship: An Integrative Review

Home care agencies are rated by patients anonymously through surveys after patients’ care episodes. The star ratings on the surveys have a direct impact on the home care agency and all of the staff working there. The star rating affects insurance companies’ reimbursement, which ultimately impacts business revenue, while the goal is to provide quality patient care. In the home care setting, nurses and patients desire continuity of care and the building of trust for competent, safe, and quality care. The literature review explored the importance of fostering the nurse-patient relationship and its impact on patient satisfaction and quality. Utilizing the PRISMA model and Melnyk's level of evidence, 25 articles were chosen for the literature review. The literature produced several themes in the desired nurse-patient relationship including trust, communication, empathy, sense of belonging, and respect. Educating nurses on the importance of these qualities of the nurse-patient relationship, and supporting them to produce the desired nurse-patient relationship, could produce more satisfied patients and better survey results.