Virginia Griffin, who has been having a few problems accessing the forum, has asked me to post the following on her behalf:
"Greetings Len could you copy and paste this on my behalf please.
I am aware that staff feel rather vulnerable about sharing information in the Getting to know you pack about themselves. The views expressed here are merely my own and I do respect the opinions of others who don't feel comfortable sharing information. Our GTKY pack is a basic information sheet which identifies a few things about us, name etc etc. To start with it might be worth remembering that staff are suppose to identify themselves anyway and most ID badges display our pictures along with our names. I am more comfortable with my name and face on a GTKY pack than using my ID badge. Firstly in a PICU it is dangerous to display a badge as they could be used as weapons as they are attached to you. Anybody could snatch them and setting that aside many have magnetic strips which allow you access into units.
Any information shared should be used for the benefit of the trust, the ward and the patient. Nobody has to reveal their life history, illnesses or where they live. Basic information we have revealed is just that basic, our hobbies, our interests, favorite quotes, music, likes and dislikes. These give the patient a basic background about us and really that is all one needs to build up a therapeutic relationship with the patients. I've heard staff mention issues surrounding confidentiality? The boundaries surrounding confidentiality are fine. In North Wales part of the Island of Anglesey we have the unit that treats many patients with mental health illnesses. As we are not a big Island and quite often you are bound to bump into a patient in a local supermarket, very often with your family members as well. A large majority of people where I reside are aware I am a RMN who works in Hergest and that has not come from me either. Word gets around but never once have I whilst out and about shopping ever discussed, disclosed or revealed any information about people who I have treated with village folk. Yes folk have made inquires and my answer is always the same "Sorry but I am not at liberty to discuss people, something I wouldn't do to you if you were in hospital either" or "No clue who you are talking about" Its never failed me yet.
Quote from Len The emphasis on maintaining boundaries with patients during training is so intense, that they have adopted a simple black and white rule to protect themselves from any potential criticism of 'inappropriate' relationships with patients - don't share anything!
Any inappropriate relationship is what the nurse has created for herself. However quite often patients will highlight sensitive issues and ask you what understanding you have of this? For me its safe to reveal some first hand knowledge without mentioning names, places or people but merely highlighting that you understand the situation because you know of somebody who experienced something similar and this was how it was handled. Its not putting yourself in the line of fire its merely stating you have a knowledge of this and how you can understand their feelings. How do we provide information about sensitive issues or give a patient empathy if we cannot understand it? Developing a relationship with a sick patient is all about give and take. They are giving us their life history, their personal journeys and quite often they feel ashamed because they perceive us to have these perfect lives. I recently met a patient who returned from living abroad for many years, like myself this person was born here but lived overseas for many years. I didn't feel uncomfortable sharing the fact that the transition from one country and culture to another is very difficult to adapt too and therefore understood how difficult this was for them. Its not breaking rules, its not giving anything away and besides my accent gives it away. I feel each patient and what we reveal comes with it own merits and risks which are tools we need to use. In other words use common sense about what you discuss with them. Information is dangerous, use it wisely. Like I pointed out our GTKY is basic, Sian Williams my ward manager has a file about each of her staff members for patients to see, it has worked a treat with patients. Some of the questions I've had about this file.
1. Gosh I didn't know you liked that movie, I loved it.
2. (Laughter) that quote is great, its really good
3) This person doesn't like bullying, me too.
4) How old were you when that picture was taken.
5) Her hair was longer in this picture.
6) Last but not least Why did you choose this career path?
So do our years of nursing experience? our hobbies? our dislikes? our likes? our taste in music, favorite book, movie, TV shows place us in vulnerable situations or do they break boundaries or confidentiality? No they don't they make human beings which patients want to see and feel.
We need to remember in order to assess people we need to build up a relationship with them. You don't build it up by letting them just talk about themselves. They need to know we understand their journey and we are helping them through this journey. In order to help them we need to give a bit of ourselves within reason which doesn't place us in a vulnerable or dangerous position. To much red tape surrounding what is right and wrong today. Think of how a patient feels when they are going into an operating room? they are exposed, they are put to sleep, they are placing their lives into a few peoples hands. We on the other talk directly to these people, if its safe to ask the man who is putting you to sleep what experience do they have, I think its safe to ask the nurse what experience we have or have had. GTKY is very similar its merely asking us or showing them a bit about ourselves within guided boundaries. Who better than a nurse with teenage children to share what teenagers are like with a patient who is detained in a unit and concerned about their children? Is that going breaking confidentiality? NO. "