Table 3.

Nurses' characterizations of relationships with patients

Therapeutic or potentially therapeutic
Intimate knowledge of patient used to inform decision-making and assessing treatment responses (De Bal et al. 2006, Hawley & Jensen 2007)
Promotes dignity, comfort, emotional support, tailored holistic care (Quinn 2003, Wilkin & Slevin 2004)
Providing information, guidance and support to patient decision-making (Kociszewski 2003, Quinn 2003, De Bal et al. 2006, Hawley & Jensen 2007)
Reconciling perspectives between patients, families and clinicians (Calvin et al. 2007, Hov et al. 2007)
Being an advocate for patient (Söderberg et al. 1999, Kociszewski 2003, 2004, Gutierrez 2005, Nordam et al. 2005, De Bal et al. 2006, Nolan 2006, 2007, Calvin et al. 2007, Hawley & Jensen 2007)