The nurse-patient relationship as a story of health enhancement in community care: A meta-ethnography

AimTo explore and improve our understanding of how nurse-patient relationships can enhance patients' health by synthesizing knowledge from published qualitative studies from both patients' and nurses' perspectives in community care. BackgroundWhile primary research showing the health benefits of the nurse-patient relationship has been reported, this knowledge has not previously been synthesized. DesignMeta-ethnography. Data sourcesA comprehensive search of five relevant databases, without year limitation, was completed. Inclusion criteria were: peer-reviewed studies exploring patient and/or nurse perspectives in community care settings, using a qualitative approach and published in English in any country. Review methodNoblit and Hare's meta-ethnographic approach. ResultsTen primary studies published between 1997 - 2014 met the research objective and inclusion criteria and were appraised as high quality using CASP. Included studies reported similar findings and reciprocal translational analysis was possible. Six core themes were identified: entering the patient's world; trusting and telling; identifying different needs and uncovering change; patients becoming masters of their own health; patients experiencing health in illness; and nurses going the distance. The core themes were synthesized into a metaphor of the nurse-patient relationship as a story of health enhancement, which illustrates the meaning of the common story they create together. ConclusionThe findings help us better understand how the nurse-patient relationship may enhance the patient's health, not only with regard to illness, physical condition and treatment but also physical, emotional, mental and social well-being. The nurse-patient relationship also has the potential to strengthen the patient's own resources towards maintaining health.