The Role of Nurse-Client Relationships in Maternal and Child Healthcare: A Qualitative Study in Rural Tanzania
Document Type
Article
Department
School of Nursing and Midwifery, East Africa
Abstract
Background: The literature suggests that poor provider-client relationships in maternal and child healthcare (MCH) continue to impact healthcare service uptake, continuity of care, and MCH outcomes. However, there is a paucity of literature on the benefits of the nurse-client relationship for clients, nurses, and the health system, particularly in rural African contexts.
Objective: This study examined the perceived benefits of good and disadvantages of poor nurse-client relationships in rural Tanzania. We present the findings of a community-driven inquiry that was the first step of a broader study that sought to co-design an intervention package for strengthening nurse-client relationships in MCH in rural contexts using a human-centred design approach.
Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive design. Nine focus group discussions and 12 key informant interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guides. Participants were purposefully selected nurses/midwives and clients attending MCH services, and MCH administrators. Data were managed using NVivo and analyzed thematically.
Results: A range of perceived benefits of good nurse-client relationships and disadvantages of poor relationships emerged. Perceived benefits of good nurse-client relationships included: (i) benefits to clients (increased healthcare-seeking behaviours, disclosure, adherence, return to care, positive health outcomes, and referral tendencies); (ii) benefits to nurses (increased confidence, efficiency, productivity, job satisfaction, trust, and community reputation and support); and (iii) benefits to healthcare facilities/systems (increased client load and consequently income, fewer complaints and legal disputes, increased trust and facility delivery, and reduced maternal and child deaths). The disadvantages of poor nurse-client relationships were basically the opposite of their benefits.
Conclusion: The benefits of good nurse-client relationships and the disadvantages of poor relationships extend beyond patients and nurses to the healthcare system/facility level. Therefore, identifying and implementing feasible and acceptable interventions for nurses and clients could pave the way for good nurse-client relationships, leading to improved MCH outcomes and performance indicators.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Frontiers in Health Services
Recommended Citation
Isangula, K.,
Mwasha, L.,
Pallangyo, E.,
Ndirangu, E.
(2023). The Role of Nurse-Client Relationships in Maternal and Child Healthcare: A Qualitative Study in Rural Tanzania. Frontiers in Health Services, 3.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/eastafrica_fhs_sonam/475
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