Accompagner. La relation soignante comme cheminement

The word “accompany” is increasingly used in the world of care, many authors use this term, especially in the context of the caring relationship. Accompanying is an active verb, meaning acting and doing with the one who is accompanied, acting for him but also restoring his ability to act at his own place, where he wants to go. And to accompany is a way of being, a posture, a recognition and a meeting of the person accompanied, in its singularity, in its autonomy, in its globality. Accompanying involves several stages: informing, listening and gathering the word, establishing a relationship of trust, caring, co-constructing a decision, a course of action. The dimension of dialogue, of deliberation between two partners is essential. The authors evoke above all the accompaniment of the sick person, in a situation of vulnerability, but also that of the relatives, relay to the patient, needing a support. This support is done by the professional in the caring relationship, also in team and interdisciplinary. The reported situations are mostly the end of life and the aging person. But there are also other places: advance directives, chronic illness, the announcement of bad news, people with a psychiatric pathology, children. To accompany is to be and to walk with the other, in a subtle interaction, combining listening, respect, taking into account the autonomy, but also the vulnerability requiring protection, allowing co-creation and action adapted to this singular situation.