Healthcare professionals have the power to inspire and influence patients bringing health-related changes to their lives by building a strong therapeutic alliance. Therapeutic alliance refers to a trusting and respectful relationship between a doctor and a patient, and it is characterized by mutual participation, empathy, genuineness and acceptance.
Establishment of a strong therapeutic alliance allows patients to have a more active and engaging role in their therapy, resulting in health-behavior change, improved communication and adherence to medication, better clinical outcomes and greater patient satisfaction.