What is expected of the nurse—client interaction and how these expectations are realized in Finnish health care

What clients using health care services and nurses themselves expect of nursing, the role of patient, and also how these expectations are met are described.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to describe what clients using health care services and nurses themselves expect of nursing, the role of patient, and also how these expectations are met. This article is based on qualitative research where both clients and nurses have been interviewed and their own perspectives have been revealed. Expectations expressed by both nurses and clients differ from each other. The clients described a good interactive relationship in a much more diverse and many-sided manner than nurses. Interactive situations seem to be taken for granted by nurses. The results show the starting points of good nursing care and the need to continue nursing development in the client-centred direction.