Relationship-Based Care: A Model for WOCN and WOCA Practice

Relationship-Based Care, a Model for WOCN and WOCA Practice
Relationship-based care (RBC) is a model for nursing practice in the acute care setting that places the patient and their family in the center and the primary focus of health care professionals.  RBC is comprised of three crucial relationships: care provider’s relationship with patients and families, care provider’s relationship with self, and care provider’s relationship with colleagues.

In our health care system, the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Associate (WOCA) program was born out of the need to have an increased Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse (WOCN) presence on the acute care units to assist the staff nurse with the implementation of prevention and dressing protocols.  More recently, the WOCAs have been very helpful with early pressure ulcer identification and documentation,   quarterly prevalence studies, and as unit educators.  Many of the associates are nurses eager to increase their knowledge base and responsibility on the unit.

The educational preparation for the associate includes an eight hour class that covers the basics of WOCN nursing practice followed by a brief preceptorship with a WOCN.  The associates are provided with monthly educational and clinical sharing meetings.  Being an associate gives the staff nurse an opportunity to enhance clinical skills, to become a mentor to their peers, to network with other nurses, to educate,  and ultimately to offer quality care to  patients and their families.

Relationship-based care discusses the importance of teamwork in healthcare delivery. “In healthy and productive teams each member contributes his or her unique knowledge and skills within a clearly defined scope of responsibility, authority, and accountability” (Wright, 2004, pg92).

The WOCA exemplifies the RBC model as nurses are given an opportunity to advance their skill base, become a contributing member of a team, and ultimately benefit   patients and their families.

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