Need for reassurance in self‐care of minor illnesses

Abstract

The needs of nursing care may persist despite the absence of medical needs. The encounter between the nurse and care-seeker is a unique possibility for reassurance and confidence that a minor illness is self-limiting in its nature, and self-care interventions provide relief and comfort.

An integrative review of the use of the concept of reassurance in clinical practice

“…The presence of emotional distress in patients and their families emerged as a significant event that led to reassurance (Boyd & Munhall, 1989; Fareed, 1996; Gustafsson et al., 2018; Halm, 1992). Emotional distress is associated with hospitalization (Fareed, 1996; Halm, 1992), unknown intervention or treatment outcomes (Boyd & Munhall, 1989), unknown symptoms (Gustafsson et al., 2018), uncertainty about one's health (Boyd & Munhall, 1989) and patient's perceived inability to execute a treatment plan (Hermann et al., 2019). Emotional distress can manifest either overtly or covertly, which triggers a commensurate compassionate response from nurses (Halm, 1992; Price, 2017).…”

“…Overtly, distress can manifest as crying, altered facial expressions (Boyd & Munhall, 1989; Gregg, 1955) and restlessness (Boyd & Munhall, 1989). Covertly, distress manifestations include the patient asking several questions, which may be incongruent with prevailing health needs (Boyd & Munhall, 1989; Gregg, 1955), fear and anxiety (Gustafsson et al., 2018; Hermann et al., 2019) and non‐verbal behaviours of apprehension (French, 1979). The subtleness of these manifestations may suggest that reassurance is an active approach to the identification and resolution of a distressing episode (Boyd & Munhall, 1989; Hermann et al., 2019; Price, 2017).…”

“…Emotional connectedness and compassion facilitate the sharing of each other's lived experiences through which the nurse can recognize and accept the patient's emotions (Barr, 1992; Wocial et al., 2014). The nurse comes to the level of the patient and shares with the patient personal stories that resonate with him/her (Gustafsson et al., 2018; Usher & Monkley, 2001). This strengthens the nurse–patient bond and allows the patient to freely verbalize his/her concerns and develop trust in the nurse.…”

“…Verbal forms of reassurance noted in the data included offering words of encouragement (Al‐Mutair et al., 2014; Barr, 1992; Hermann et al., 2019), and demonstrating professional competence (Gibb & O’Brien, 1990; Gregg, 1955; Hermann et al., 2019; Karlsson et al., 2012). Other forms of reassurance were communicating adequate, clear, honest and accurate feedback (Al‐Mutair et al., 2014; Boyd & Munhall, 1989; Cossette et al., 2002; Gibb & O’Brien, 1990; Gustafsson et al., 2018; Jones et al., 2007; Usher & Monkley, 2001); and keeping the patient and family informed and encouraging them to verbalize their concerns (Blackhall et al., 2011; Fareed, 1996; Wocial et al., 2014). This encouragement should, however, be devoid of deception, as such practices amount to false reassurance which has been shown to be ineffective, and in some cases detrimental to patients’ well‐being (Chauhan & Long, 2000).…”

“…Verbal forms of reassurance noted in the data included offering words of encouragement (Al-Mutair et al, 2014;Barr, 1992;Hermann et al, 2019), and demonstrating professional competence (Gibb & O'Brien, 1990;Gregg, 1955;Hermann et al, 2019;Karlsson et al, 2012). Other forms of reassurance were communicating adequate, clear, honest and accurate feedback (Al-Mutair et al, 2014;Boyd & Munhall, 1989;Cossette et al, 2002;Gibb & O'Brien, 1990;Gustafsson et al, 2018;Jones et al, 2007;Usher & Monkley, 2001);…”