Centre for Policy on Ageing



The development of relationships between families and staff in long-term care facilities — nurses' perspectives
Author(s)	James Gladstone, Evelyn Wexler
Journal title	Canadian Journal on Aging, vol 21, no 2, Summer 2002
Pages	pp 217-228
Keywords	The Family ; Communication ; Nurses ; Attitude ; Nursing homes ; Qualitative Studies ; Canada.
Annotation	The objective of this study was to explore the way in which relationships develop between family members and staff working in long-term care facilities. In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 registered nurses (RNs). Data were analysed inductively using the constant comparative method. Findings show that RNs perceive their relationships with families to develop in four stages: the initial greeting; sizing up; making a tentative suggestion; and reaching a final decision. Several contextual factors were associated with the way in which relationships developed, including structural factors, family recognition of staff efforts, open communication, and professional identity. Findings suggest that relationships can best be understood from an interpretive perspective, and that an analysis of family-staff relationships should consider the influence of social power. (RH).
Accession Number	CPA-021101215 A
Classmark	SJ: U: QTE: DP: LHB: 3DP: 7S
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...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing.