The nurses' perception of the relationship indicators between themselves and hospitalized patients with dementia

Abstract

This study explores nurses' perceptions about their relationship with hospitalized elderly patients suffering from dementia. Quantitative data was collected through self administered questionnaires, which were administered to a convenience sample of 25 subjects. 23 out of 25 questionnaires were completed giving a response rate of the study as high as 92%. Literature states that although the nurses usually have the proper knowledge about how to care for patients suffering from dementia, it is not always done appropriately in practice. Consequently, the study attempts to identify nurses' perceptions of their own nursing care towards patients suffering from dementia using Eric Berne's Transactional Analysis, identifying in which ego state they would operate whilst working with them. In the literature review the researcher has explored literature on dementia including demographic material and its causes and effects on the physical and psychological behaviour of the patient. Additionally the researcher assesses the role of the psychiatric nurse focusing on their role with elderly mentally ill patients as well as the communication skills that are established both with elderly people and those suffering from dementia. Finally the researcher explores the therapeutic relationship which the nurse builds with such patients. In the methodology chapter the researcher explains the research question as well as identifying the aim and objectives of the study. The researcher describes how the questionnaire was built, distributed, piloted and analyzed supplying rationality for each part. Results show that for most of the time the nurses in the study care for their patients using the Adult Ego State; however, there are certain situations in which nurses tend to change there Ego State to become either a Parent or, less commonly, a Child. In line with most of the research from within the published literature this study shows that it is of essential importance to build up a good therapeutic relationship using proper communication skills whilst not ignoring the physical needs of the patient. The study also shows that it is possible to explore this area of importance using the Transactional Analysis approach. This study recommends that further research should be carried out on a larger scale. It would be worthwhile to carry out an observational study in order to gain more knowledge about the actual clinical practice of the care for elderly patients suffering from dementia.