THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS ON THE USE OF REASSURANCE IN THE NURSING MANAGEMENT OF ANXIOUS PATIENTS

This paper analyses the concept of reassurance in health care, arguing that it entails giving information predicting a safe outcome, plus the use of personal support to help patients feel secure. The literature on anxiety management interventions is reviewed and selected findings are presented from a survey of reassurance in nursing practice based on 351 critical incidents reported by 253 nurses and 51 patients. The survey concludes that reassuring strategies are indicated where patients' fears are judged to be unrealistic or excessive. Accurate assessment is vital and must take into account coping styles. Reassurance may also be indicated as a measure of last resort when working with cognitively impaired patients. Personal support interventions are particularly valued by hospitalized patients who appear to observe individual nurses in order to assess their levels of competence and caring before requesting help.