Knowing the Patient
It is a matter of fact that contemporary health care promotes the idea of knowing the patient meaning not to know simply his health problems but knowing his needs and psychological peculiarities in order to ensure better treatment and rehabilitation methods. Also if nurses know their patients, they are able to make easier and faster important clinical decisions. The offered model of knowing patient provides certain benefits, for example, it potentially improves patient outcomes and establishes relationships between nurses and patients. Further, knowing patient provides more efficient decision-making process. Therefore, nurses whose responsibilities are to deliver care and treatment should be allowed and motivated to know their patients.
Knowing patient is defined as the “process whereby and RN gains understanding of a specific patient, which subsequently enhances clinical decision making, selection of optimal nursing interventions, an patient outcomes”. It is suggested that knowing patient means to be aware of physical changes of the patient, to recognize the process of healing, to detect resources required for dealing with loss. Nurses should taught how to respond to patient needs and how to gain respect and support of staff colleagues.
Barnes’ Jewish Hospital worked out a project aimed at improving the quality of medical services and creating professional care environment. The aim is to improving working relationships by changing the way nurses worked together and to focus on knowing the patient. More attention should be paid to improving the process of problem identification and patient assessment. The benefit is that this model suggests minimization of interruptions because the nurses will be allowed to delegate their tasks not leaving the patient’s room. Consequently, nurses will be more informed and prepared for making quick decisions. Summing up, model of knowing patient improves not only patient’s outcomes, but also reduces job stress and increases job satisfaction.
References
Potter, P., & Mueller, J. (February 2007). How Well Do You Know Your Patients? Nursing Management, 40-49.