Enhancing person-centred care through the development of a therapeutic relationship

More than ever, district nurses require highly developed communication and interpersonal skills to enable and nurture a therapeutic relationship. The 'shift left'-whereby patients are being assessed and cared for in the community at a much earlier stage of their illness or recovery-has significant implications. The complexity of patient care and the need for collaborative working and shared decision making necessitates a focus on fostering person-centred care and improving the patient experience in practice. District nurses are adept communicators with a specialist body of knowledge and skills. In Northern Ireland, the single assessment tool (NISAT) is used by health professionals and follows a person-centred framework. This case study reflects on the assessment process used by a district nursing student in clinical practice and demonstrates how a therapeutic relationship is developed, thereby supporting person centredness.