Exploring Interpersonal Relationships in a Nurse-Managed Clinic and Their Impact on Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

This study explores the impact of interpersonal relationships on processes and outcomes of care at a nurse-managed, primary care clinic in Southern California serving a vulnerable population. Ten semistructured interviews were conducted with all health care providers in the clinic to explore patient characteristics, types of relationships experienced, and how they may have affected processes and outcomes of care. Themes in interviews were identified through thematic analysis. We found that (a) patients with limited access to health care and resources establish different types of relationships to support their needs, and (b) interpersonal relationships, including those among providers, affect quality of care.