Vikten av samtalsmetodik i relationsskapande : en kvalitativ studie om hälso- och sjukvårdskuratorers användning av samtalsmetodik i skapande av relationer med patienter i praktiken

Sammanfattning: This study aims to investigate how professional healthcare counselors use conversational methodology to create relationships with patients in clinical practice, as well as how they solve potential obstacles and difficulties that may arise in building a relationship. This area of research is interesting to investigate because of the healthcare counselor license that was introduced back in 2019, and there is considered a need for further research on healthcare counselor’s work with relationship building in a Swedish context. The study is based on an abductive approach and used semi-structured interviews when collecting data. Empirical data has been collected through four interviews with professional healthcare counselors in Sweden. The data has been analyzed using thematic content analysis and the theory of the contextual model. The results of the study show that relationship building, and an empathetic approach are the basis for the work of the healthcare counselor. Healthcare counselors use conversational methodology to create and maintain a good relationship with patients. Highlighted conversational methodology is general such as silence, feedback, confirmation, active listening, finding a common ground and using non-verbal signals to show understanding and empathy for the patient. The interviewed healthcare counselors stated that the obstacles they may experience in building relationships were, among other things, when the patient is going through a crisis, the influence of other external relationships, lack of communication and misunderstanding. In order to resolve said obstacles, the counselors strove to be attentive, listen to the patient's perspective and willing to admit if they acted wrongly or insensitively and take responsibility. The study intends to contribute with additional research in the field of healthcare counselors’ work with relationship building in a Swedish context.