Relationships between families and registered nurses in long-term-care facilities: a critical analysis.
Although much has been written about the relationship between families and nurses, little systematic analysis has been undertaken of this dyadic relationship in long-term care (LTC). Using a critical ethnographic approach, the researchers conducted separate in-depth interviews with 17 family-nurse dyads caring for residents with Alzheimer disease or a related disorder in one LTC setting. Analysis of interview transcripts and fieldnotes revealed 4 types of family-nurse relationships--conventional, competitive, collaborative, and "carative"--each reflecting the roles of nurse and family, negotiating strategies, and consequences. In addition, it became apparent that intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the development of certain types of relationships. The findings have implications for nursing practice, policy development, and further research within LTC settings.
Ward-Griffin
Catherine
C
School of Nursing, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, N6A 5C1 Canada. cwg@uwo.ca
Bol
Nancy
N
Hay
Kim
K
Dashnay
Ian
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004645:Empathy; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D017008:Negotiating; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology*; D009864:Ontario; D011321:Primary Nursing; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires