Building positive relationships is pivotal to providing quality support to individuals in social care and improving the overall wellbeing of all parties involved. Taking a person-centred approach to patients creates an environment that promotes doing things ‘with’ patients, not ‘to’ them. It becomes a relationship in which care professionals and patients work in cohesion, forming an equal partnership with a common goal. “Professional relationships are paramount to the delivery of safe and effective care and support and an understanding of these relationships, and how they are formed, is essential if you are considering pursuing a career in the health and social care sector.”[OCR]
In this article, we explore why fostering positive relationships is so crucial to ensuring individuals receive the care and support they need, and how they benefit both caregivers and those in need.
Enhanced Quality of Care
When individuals in social care feel valued and understood, the quality of care they receive improves significantly. Positive relationships lead to better outcomes in terms of mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Positive relationships are fundamental to providing the highest quality of care. When healthcare professionals and caregivers forge positive connections with their patients, it fosters an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Patients who feel valued and understood as a person, not a client, are more likely to follow treatment plans, adhere to medications, and actively participate in their own care. This cooperation, in turn, leads to better outcomes in mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Providing Necessary Emotional Support
Many individuals in social care may be dealing with challenging emotional and psychological issues, issues that aren’t always visible to an outsider. A trauma-informed approach gives caregivers the tools to provide a level of emotional support that is unique to an individual’s circumstances. Caregivers who show empathy and compassion create an environment in which patients or clients feel safe expressing their emotions. This emotional support can significantly impact a person’s mental well-being and is especially valuable to those with terminal illnesses or end-of-life care.
Trust and Safety
Trust is a fundamental element of any effective relationship. Patients need to trust that their caregivers have their best interests at heart and have the utmost confidence in the care they receive.
When healthcare professionals take the time to listen to the needs of those they care for, effective communication channels are formed and trust is built. When trust is established, individuals are more willing to communicate about their health and wellbeing, making it easier for healthcare professionals to provide correct treatment plans, significantly reducing the likelihood of any challenging behaviour.
Improved Staff Wellbeing
Healthcare and social care professionals often deal with emotionally challenging situations and high-stress environments, and mitigating the risk of burnout or emotional isolation is an important consideration. Promoting positive relationships is not only beneficial for the individuals receiving care but also crucial for the well-being of staff. It reduces stress, enhances job satisfaction, boosts professional development, improves mental health, and fosters a supportive work culture.
Staff members who feel respected and appreciated in their day-to-day interactions are more likely to stay in their positions, reducing turnover rates. Positive relationships contribute to overall job satisfaction by creating a more positive and even enjoyable work environment.
Improve your workplace and build better relationships with training from Timian
Positive relationships are not just a nice-to-have, but a fundamental aspect of high-quality care that must be cultivated and promoted at all levels of the organisational hierarchy. From the highest leaders to the frontline practitioners, demonstrating a willingness to improve will foster a better environment for all. It’s not only about individual interactions; it’s about a collective commitment to fostering a culture of care and empathy within the entire organisation.
Creating positive relationships doesn’t happen overnight – it takes time, effort and commitment. We have helped hundreds of care organisations across the UK to strengthen their patient relationships. With our help, your organisation can become a thriving and positive workplace for the benefit of all involved. Call us on 800 987 4075 to learn more or fill in the form on our website to get in touch.
James Hourihan
Director
Timian Learning and Development Ltd
