Assessment of a patient's desire for ongoing involvement in decision making and planning enlivens the sharing that arises from the communication element of caring. All providers must refine their ability to honestly appraise and respectfully respond to issues that are important to patients and then follow through on their commitments. They are quite specific and consistent in their articulation of the dimensions of caring behavior. These dimensions center around the elements of a meaningful interpersonal relationship. Scientific knowledge and technical skill are expected by patients, but it is caring that adds personal meaning to the experience of care and positively reinforces clinical outcomes.
Relationship is the essence of caring and personal growth.
By becoming experts in caring, we providers not only can fulfill our professional obligations to our patients but also can meet our personal responsibility to ourselves as human beings. The authors extend their appreciation to Ms Kathy Carlson, RN, CPAN, for her skillful assistance in the drafting and editing of this article. The care of the patient. Failure to communicate caring is linked to patient dissatisfaction and the decision to bring suit. Brody DS, Miller SM, Lerman CE, et al.