Effects of a relationship-enhancing program of care on outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of a relationship-enhancing program of care (REPC) on resident and care provider outcomes.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental, repeated measures design, with intervention and comparison groups. Questionnaires were distributed to 50 residents, and observations were conducted of 40 residents and 34 nursing staff at baseline and 3 months after the intervention, on two Canadian nursing home units. An investigator-designed educational program based on Winnicott's theory of relationships and the empirical literature, was provided to care providers and their supervisors on the intervention unit. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) was used to compare the intervention and comparison groups in regard to changes in the outcomes over time.


RESULTS
The REPC had statistically significant effects on (a) residents' perceptions of care providers' relational care, (b) care providers' relational behaviors, and (c) continuity of care.


CONCLUSIONS
Evidence showed that these care providers were taught how to enhance their relational skills with residents living in long-term care facilities without added staff. Recommendations for practice and research are discussed.
McGilton
Katherine S
KS
Alzheimer Society of Canada, Kunin-Lunenfeld Applied Research Unit, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, 3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6A 2E1. kathy.mcgilton@utoronto.ca
O'Brien-Pallas
Linda L
LL
Darlington
Gerarda
G
Evans
Martin
M
Wynn
Francine
F
Pringle
Dorothy M
DM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000458:organization & administration; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology*; D009742:Nursing Theory; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation