Comparison of patients’ and clinicians’ views of the therapeutic relationship: a pilot project

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to find out whether psychiatrists’ views of the quality of the therapeutic relationship were shared by their patients, and to ascertain a feasible way to explore these relationships routinely. Method: Sixty-one outpatients selected by two receptionists completed the Helping Alliance Scale (HAS), client version and the Relationship Questionnaire. The two participating psychiatrists were not involved in patient selection and were blind to patients’ responses. They recorded their view of the relationships using the clinician version of HAS. The Big Five Inventory and Relationship Questionnaire were also utilized. Without identifying patients, each psychiatrist analysed the data of the other clinician. Results: Both clinicians had an agreement rate above 75%. The differences in the details reflected gender and personality differences. There was no benchmark with which to compare these results. Conclusions: Assessing and recording the therapeutic relationship in community practice is feasible and provides invaluable knowledge. The next challenge is to consider whether and how this could be done routinely.