¹ Department of Integrative Psychiatry, University Hospital Centre Osijek, Josip Huttler Street 4, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia, darioklasan1@gmail.com, amehicic@kbco.hr; ijelincic9@gmail.com

² Department of Nursing and Palliative Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Crkvena Street 21, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia, smiksic@fdmz.hr; marinmamic@hotmail.com; ibarac@fdmz.hr; 

³ Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Josip Huttler Street 4, Osijek, 31000, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia, 

⁴ Home for the elderly and disabled persons Đakovo, Petra Preradovića Street 2/A, Đakovo, 31400, Osijek-Baranja County, Croatia

⁵ General County Hospital Požega, Osječka Street 107, Požega, 34, 000, Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia, 

*Corresponding author: 

darioklasan1@gmail.com, +385 99 3284 447

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to examine quality levels of the therapeutic alliance between healthcare professionals and hospitalized patients. The research is designed as a cross-sectional study.

Methods: The research was conducted at the Clinical Hospital Center Osijek, specifically at the Clinic for Psychiatry. A total of 184 respondents participated in the study, 132 of whom were hospitalized patients and 53 healthcare workers. All participants were provided timely information regarding the research objectives and methodology, they were given relevant materials, and they gave their consent to participate in the study. The same general demographic questionnaire was used as a research instrument for both healthcare workers and hospitalized patients. In order to assess the quality level of the therapeutic alliance, the Scale to Assess the Therapeutic Relationship in Community Mental Health Care: STAR questionnaire was applied, with acquired permission from the authors.

Results: Healthcare professionals rated positive cooperation significantly higher than patients (Fisher’s exact test, P=0.01). They also experienced more emotional difficulties in comparison to the domain of positive clinical support for patients (Mann–Whitney U test, P=0.02). However, even though the healthcare professionals gave it a slightly higher grade, there is no significant difference in the overall assessment of the therapeutic alliance between healthcare professionals and patients.

Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that both healthcare professionals and patients perceive a favorable therapeutic alliance. Positive collaboration is rated higher among healthcare professionals than among patients, with professionals potentially experiencing more emotional challenges. On the other hand, patients grade higher the level of excellence, in terms of the positive clinical support they receive, than the healthcare professionals. However, both groups of respondents equally recognize a high level of positive clinical support.