Relational skills of nephrology and dialysis nurses in clinical care settings: A scoping review and stakeholder consultation

Aim: To describe and analyze the relational skills of nephrology nurses.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) profoundly affects patients' psychosocial well-being. Nephrology and dialysis nurses meet clinical demands while providing vital emotional support. Managing CKD across diverse clinical settings requires specific relational skills, yet variability in nursing education across sectors may limit the development of holistic competencies crucial for delivering, high-quality care.

Design: Scoping review.

Methods: This scoping review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework and JBI methodology, adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Database searches included Cochrane, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and ASSIA. Quality assessment used the JBI framework, with stakeholder engagement to inform standardized frameworks for relational skills.

Results: From 6274 records, nine studies were included. Key relational competencies for nephrology nursing were identified, including relational care, communication and end-of-life support. These competencies highlight the importance of empathy, active listening and building therapeutic alliances. In hemodialysis, such skills aid patients in adapting to therapy and managing symptoms. In outpatient care, they promote psychological well-being, self-management and therapeutic communication. In palliative care, they alleviate emotional burdens and facilitate discussions about treatment choices. Stakeholder consultations validated these findings, underscoring their clinical relevance and prioritizing skills like active listening and shared decision-making, thus anchoring the results in real-world practice.

Conclusion: Relational skills are essential in nephrology nursing care in different settings and foster emotional support and trust, promoting factors such as therapeutic autonomy and end-of-life communication. Educational initiatives should prioritize the enhancement of these skills to improve nephrology patient care.