American Journal of Nursing Science 2018; 7(3-1): 103-108 http://www.sciencepublishinggroup.com/j/ajns doi: 10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.25 ISSN: 2328-5745 (Print); ISSN: 2328-5753 (Online) Therapeutic Relationship and Quality of Life in Chronic Diseases Alexandra Mitsi 1 , Michael Kourakos 1, * , Georgia Poulimenakou 1 , Demetra Latsou 2 , Markos Sarris 2 1 General Hospital “Asklepieio” Voulas, Athens, Greece 2 Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Athens, Greece Email address: * Corresponding author To cite this article: Alexandra Mitsi, Michael Kourakos, Georgia Poulimenakou, Demetra Latsou, Markos Sarris. Therapeutic Relationship and Quality of Life in Chronic Diseases. American Journal of Nursing Science. Special Issue: Nursing Education and Research. Vol. 7, No. 3-1, 2018, pp. 103-108. doi: 10.11648/j.ajns.s.2018070301.25 Received: February 25, 2018; Accepted: March 4, 2018; Published: March 22, 2018 Abstract: The relationship between healthcare professionals and patients is a special form of human relationship. The interpersonal relationship developed among the patient and the caregiver involves not only communication and active listening, but also emotions from both sides. The establishment of a therapeutic relationship and the roles within it are largely determined by the behavior of those involved. A therapeutic relationship requires effective communication and empathy of the nurse practitioner, as well as the patient’s active participation in the process. The quality of the relationship between two people is the most important element in determining the effectiveness of the care delivered. Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Quality of Life, Therapeutic Relationship 1. Introduction Chronic and complex health conditions or diseases are the greatest challenges that healthcare systems, globally, are going to have to attend to in the years to come. Since the late 1990s, a global shift of attention from acute health conditions to more chronic has been recorded [1]. At the same time, universal health policy makers adopted a more humanistic approach with the services having the patient/client at the center of healthcare provision. Furthermore, global healthcare systems focused on public health and health promotion addressing health risks from the natural and socio- economic environment. Advances in sciences and medical technological improvements, better living conditions and better preventive strategies increased life expectancy, altered the proportion of older people in the population, and changed the burden and type of diseases that healthcare systems are required to manage. Except from diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases that are chronic, some other health conditions that were thought to be fatal, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), are nowadays chronic manageable health problems [2]. In addition, health conditions caused by the “modern” lifestyle, such as obesity, allergies or depression, need to be addressed. Finally, health impairments and disabilities, such as blindness or musculoskeletal disorders, are regarded as chronic and need chronic treatments. All the above described conditions have led to a growing number of people with chronic health problems to seek healthcare [3]. As the age structure of the population is changing, old age could be considered a factor contributing to chronic health problems. It is estimated that by 2030 the 23.5% of Europe’s population will be 65 years and older, with those aged more than 80 years old being the 6.4% of the population [4]. Within this context, healthcare professionals, either in hospital settings or in the community, are asked to provide care for chronic patients for longer periods of time. The long- term relationship established between the professional and the patient is a commitment of care, a mutual agreement to work together for the good of the patient and it is described in the literature as Therapeutic Relationship (TR). Therapeutic Relationship is considered to be a system of diverse and expected social values and behaviors produced