Florentino Saavedra, Jr.
A Reflection on the Interactional Phases of Human-to-Human Relationship Model
Right off the bat, this model falls under the Nurse-Client Dynamics in our discussion of the nursing theories because it zeroes in on building a therapeutic relationship between the nurse and the patient.
Phase of the original encounter
Task: to break the bond of categorization in order to perceive the human being in the patient and vice versa
Our life experiences form a great deal of what we are and the way we perceive and react to anything that is outside of ourselves - even in our subconsciousness. Personally, some experiences are so unpleasant that I had to take charge of them if they can be counter-productive and unhealthy in my manner of taking care of patients. A button in me gets pushed automatically if I see something in the personality of my patient that can potentially get in the way of easily establishing and carrying out whatever goal can be set for the day. And almost simultaneously, the call to be a professional nurse would kick in re-establishing the right framework of mind. Indeed, my patient is in the hospital in need of care and my own personal matters do not matter to my patients at all so I cannot bring these baggage when I go to work. That I must get past any label or pre-conceived notion of the patient’s demeanor or any of those barriers that can hinder me in establishing a caring and trusting relationship with my patient. I believe that the patients can sense these barriers from the nurses too through verbal and nonverbal cues. Having said that, I should be able to raise the red flag and set limitations if the patient is displaying any disruptive behavioral tendencies.
Phase of emerging identities
Task: Separating oneself and one’s experiences from others and avoiding “using oneself as a yardstick”
I have to be sensitive to my patients’ limitations in terms of age, culture, economic and educational backgrounds when choosing topics for health education discussions. There is no blanket strategy to this task and it takes enough clinical practice to develop flexibility. An approach that suits fine on one patient may be offensive to another.
Phase of empathy
Task: Sharing another’s psychological state but standing apart and not sharing feelings
In order to maintain a professional and healthy relationship with the patient and vice versa, I observe consistency and objectivity through the use of nursing judgment in carefully assessing and before actually intervening or not whatever behavior the patient is presenting. I try not to be emotional to be able to “perceive accurately what the patient is thinking and feeling.” Empathy is necessary to develop empathy.”
Phase of sympathy
Task: Translate empathy into helpful nursing actions
It is only after correctly identifying the patients’ behavior will I be able to truly care for the patient therapeutically in “alleviating the cause of the illness or suffering.”
Phase of rapport
Where all previous phases culminate and is defined as all those experiences, thoughts, feelings, and attitudes that both nurse and patient undergo and are able to perceive, share and communicate
I am being realistic that I also set parameters for managing patient expectations with those of mine. There are limitations working at night in terms of MD availability and routine procedures that will have to wait the next day. I remind myself from time to time that nursing is a 24-hour care. I try to be proactive though by reminding the patient and family members to lay down all their concerns when the MD do their rounds in the morning. In being advocates of the patient, we put ourselves in their place especially for the patients who do not participate during the rounds by asking questions on their behalf – on occasions that an MD drops by to see the patient at night. All in keeping earning the patient’s trust.