Christine Colombo
Christine Colombo
Feb 22, 2024Feb 22 at 8:46pm
Therapeutic alliance consists of a trusting and mutual relationship between the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and their client. It entails aspects such as empathy, mutual respect and collaboration, and agreement on a pathway to achieve mutually developed goals (Lindgren & Rozental, 2022). This relationship is considered essential in a therapeutic partnership as it can effectively influence treatment outcomes.

In contrast, malpractice suits arrive when clients feel that they have been harmed by the actions or negligence by their PMHNP. These suits typically involve allegations of professional misconduct, negligence, or breaches of duty leading to irrevocable harm or damage to the client.

The relationship between therapeutic alliance and malpractice is multifaceted and complex. When clients feel acknowledged, understood, and respected by their PMHNP they are more likely to trust the therapeutic process and be satisfied with the treatment, reducing the probability of seeking legal recourse or posting unfavorable yelp reviews. PMHNPs should build a strong maintain appropriate professional boundaries and ethical standards. Thus, PMHNPs should minimize the risk of misconduct or breaches of trust that could lead to malpractice claims inclusive of writing inappropriate prescriptions in exorbitant dosages leading to accidental overdoses (Stewart & Cox, 2021). Clear boundaries mitigate the risk of misconduct or breaches of trust that could inevitably lead to malpractice claims. While a strong therapeutic alliance does not always guarantee immunity from malpractice suits, it can be a major factor in preventing unfounded claims.

References

Lindgren, A., & Rozental, A. (2022). Patients’ experiences of malpractice in psychotherapy and psychological treatments: A qualitative study of filed complaints in Swedish healthcare. Ethics & Behavior, 32(7), 563–577. 10508422.2021.1948855Links to an external site.

Stewart, M., & Cox, M. (2021). Barriers impacting the nurse practitioner in combating the opioid Epidemic. Journal of the New York State Nurses Association, 48(1), 52–56. DOI: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000502Links to an external site.