A Study of Structure of Nurse-Patient Interactions

−Orientation for Diagnostic/Therapeutic Cardiac Catheterization−

Abstract

　The purpose of this study was to clarify the structure of nurse-patient interactions in situations where patients feel anxious or threatened. The participants in this study were eight patients and eight nurses during orientation for diagnostic/therapeutic cardiac catheterization. The data were collected through participant observation and semi-structured interviews.

　The results showed two categories of expressions for nurses, "ascertain patient awareness of catheterization" and "prepare patient for awareness of catheterization", and three categories of expressions for patients, "relay thoughts and situations to nurses", "seek recognition and organize thoughts and situations", and "share awareness with nurses". Furthermore, there were four pat terns of nurse-patient interactions: "active nurse/active patient", "passive nurse/passive patient", "active nurse/passive patient" and "passive nurse/active patient".

　These findings suggest that in situations where patients may feel anxious or threatened, it is necessary to utilize orientation as not only an opportunity for explanation and guidance, but also as an opportunity for nurses to interview patients so that they can assist the patients to organize their thoughts in preparation for catheterization.