Purpose: To examine how evidence about the therapeutic alliance gleaned from participatory action project affected the level of this alliance and the degree of empathy of psychiatric nurses.
Design and methods: Quasi-experimental study in two psychiatric units. In one group, evidence-based practices that affected the therapeutic alliance were implemented; in the comparison group, there was no such intervention.
Findings: The nurses from the intervention group improved their degree of empathy and factors such as agreement on objectives and tasks with the patient.
Practice implications: The results confirm the possibility of measuring and improving the therapeutic relationship in psychiatric care.
Keywords: Evidence-based practice; mental health; nurse-patient relations; participatory action research; psychiatric nursing.
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