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Research on nurse–patient relationships with the schizophrenia population is sparse. The current study piloted a survey to explore therapeutic relationships. Fifty-one psychiatric nurses completed an online survey on therapeutic relationships with the schizophrenia population. Factor and chi-square analysis yielded preliminary findings. Fifteen of 16 survey items loaded onto four factors at ≥0.4. A significant association between level of education and professional certification and comfort working with patients with schizophrenia was found. Survey modifications and a larger sample size may generate useful information and clarify the relationship among education, certification, and comfort. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 59 (4), 21–29.]

Background Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that affects the client, family, and community. Nurses are educated to use the nurse-patient relationship to provide health education and collaborative health decision-making. However, challenges abound for nurses and clients with schizophrenia to effectively utilize the relationship to reach these goals. Problem There is a lack of evidence-based information to assist nurses to meet the challenges of building effective therapeutic relationships with clients for whom schizophrenia hinders health education and decision-making. Purpose To examine current research findings on factors that influence therapeutic relationships in psychiatric treatment settings as an initial effort to provide empirically based guidance for psychiatric nurses who seek to better use the relationship to work with the client toward health-related goals. Method This integrative review of the literature follows Whittemore and Knafl's (2015) method, analyzes 15 studies from multiple databases between the years 2006–2017, and assesses the rigor of each. Findings Numerous methods are used to assess therapeutic relationships. Few studies included nurses. Provider perception of client symptoms can negatively affect provider assessment of quality of relationship; no such association was found on the part of clients. Providers and clients prioritize client needs differently, with providers influenced by treatment setting demands, but provider-training programs can have a beneficial effect on their relationships. Conclusion Nurses and nurse educators can use the findings to guide assessment of how perceptions and priorities influence relationships. Findings also provide the foundation for further study of nurses' perceptions of therapeutic relationship, in progress, to yield more detailed information on what nurses and educators need to strengthen therapeutic relationships.

Star Ratings were implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for home healthcare agencies with the first release of measures in 2015 and 2016. Hospital Compare also displays Star Ratings, and Hospice also will soon have the Hospice Information Set displayed on Hospice Compare. Star Ratings in home healthcare are determined by a specific methodology and are based on nine quality areas. One set of Stars designates the nine quality areas and a second set of Stars reflects consumer satisfaction. This article discusses quality of patient care Star Ratings but not those based on Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider and Systems outcomes. Few agencies reach above 3-Star Ratings; the majority fall within 3 and 3.5 with the national benchmark being 3.5. Agencies should strive for high Star Ratings as consumers, hospitals, and other referral sources may base their decisions on the number of stars received.