Factors related to the nursing student–patient relationship: The students’ perspective

SummaryThe aim of this study was to describe nursing students’ perceptions of factors related to three types of student–patient relationship identified in an earlier study: mechanistic, authoritative and facilitative. Another aim was to identify which factors predict the type of relationship.A convenience sample of 310 Bachelor of Health Care students was recruited. The data were collected by using a questionnaire especially designed for this study. Data analysis used the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, one-way analysis of variance and multinomial logistic regression.Older age was the only significant predictor of a facilitative relationship, whereas fourth-year studies and support received from a person other than supervisor predicted an authoritative relationship. Furthermore, students in authoritative and facilitative relationships had a more positive perception of the patient’s attributes as a patient and of patient’s improved health and commitment to self-care than students in a mechanistic relationship. A positive perception of the atmosphere during collaboration was more common among students in an authoritative relationship than in a mechanistic relationship.The findings of this study offer useful clues for developing nursing education and empowering patients with a view to improving the quality of nursing care.