Nurses’ stories about their interactions with patients at the Holy Family Hospital, Techiman, Ghana

Abstract

Factors, which induced positive nurse-client interactions and barriers to positive nurse-client interactions from the perspective of nurses at Holy Family Hospital, were explored. In all, twelve State Registered Nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. Factors which induced positive nurse-client interaction included availability of adequate time, showing empathy, giving prompt care, considering nursing as a call (spiritual interpretation) and rendering holistic care. Factors which induced negative nurse-client interaction included differences in beliefs between the nurse and the client, perceptions of unfair treatment, payment requirement and processes, issues with clients' relatives, client issues, miscommunications and misunderstandings about treatment needs, coercion, forced dependence, human resource issues, professional nursing issues, issues with work environment, nurse issues, lack of communication and good interaction, and dropping of professional ethics. Suggestions for nursing education, practice and administration have been outlined. Among them is the need to use role-play as a major teaching method for nursing students to develop empathic behaviours so that they can put themselves in clients' situations. This understanding will allow them to practise quality nursing after completing their educational programs. There is also the need for policy makers in nursing to institute measures to hold nurses accountable if they abuse clients or clients' relatives. Lastly, as an important tool, nurses and other health care workers can make use of reflective practice to evaluate their professional interactions with clients and their relatives. This will foster positive nurse-client interaction in future.

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