title: [Therapeutic communication in Nursing: essential instrument of care].
abstract: The objective of the study was to analyze the process of therapeutic communication as developed by nurses who work in hospital units according to Peplau's theory. It is a descriptive-exploratory research accomplished in the period of October and November of 2006, of the Municipal district of Fortaleza, CE, Brazil in october and november, 2006. The participants of the study were 14 patients and 12 nurses, through a a semi-structured interview. Data were organized in thematic and discussed with literature review. Results demonstrated that since admission to hospital discharge, there is communication and interaction with a interpersonal relationship. Several times, however, that communication does not occur as it was supposed to, because nurse in her work does not priorize the visit to patients in her daily activities. Patients have difficulties to distinguish nurses from other health care professionals, which difficults the approach and development of therapeutic communication.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Departamento de Enfermagem, Fortaleza, CE.
authors.forename: Alexandra Carvalho
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Pontes
authors.forename: Ilse Maria Tigre
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Arruda Leitão
authors.forename: Islane Costa
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009729:Nursing