Care Partnership; Recognition of Reciprocity of Care in Aged Care

Abstract

Reciprocity of care was conceptualised by Janssen and MacLeod as a means to which care outcomes may be improved where a two way relationship exists between the patient and care provider. The issues in the healthcare workplace are escalating and the future model of care is uncertain. In residential aged care, ‘person centred care’ has become the ‘gold start’ model of care however; it had limited implementation possibly due to its resource intensive needs and the limited capacity of clinical leadership in the sector. This paper, considers the future relevance of a ‘care partnership’. A ‘care partnership’ suggests that both the patient and the care provider have needs that may be largely unsupported in a traditional one way provision of services and care. By acknowledging that the patient can support the care provider and vice versa, possibly the burnout, stress and motivation for development could be reduced, therewith possibly supporting a more sustainable and beneficial outcome to care.