Analysis of the concept of mutuality.
OBJECTIVE
Mutuality is explored as an interaction style for providers and clients that encourages accountability.


CONCLUSIONS
Accountability by both providers and clients is necessary to manage health care costs and outcomes.


METHODS
Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis.


METHODS
Literature from 1930 to 1996. Mutuality is compared to autonomy, reciprocity, consumerism, negotiation, participation, collaboration, and paternalism.


CONCLUSIONS
Mutuality is shown to balance power and respect, and to promote productive provider-client communication. This interaction style for partnership relationships fosters positive and lasting health care outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses are challenged to develop the skill of eliciting give and take, and creative, mutual exchanges.
Henson
R H
RH
Oklahoma Baptist University, School of Nursing, Shawnee 74801, USA.
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D017008:Negotiating; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010358:Patient Participation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012941:Social Responsibility