Dr. Sharon Dingman
About TCM
The Caring Model (TCM) was first introduced in 1998 by its founder, Dr. Sharon K. Dingman, as a way to improve a set of patient satisfaction indicators with nursing care. TCM quickly spread into other acute care hospitals that were striving to understand and implement nurse caring behaviors measured by patient satisfaction surveys.
Core Elements
- Introducing oneself to the patient and their family and explaining one’s role in the patient’s care
- Calling the patient by his or her preferred name
- Being seated at the bedside to discuss the patient’s care plan
- The use of touch, a handshake and a thank you
- Utilizing the mission and values of the organization to guide the delivery of care
Strengths: Patient satisfaction has become an important indicator of quality care and the financial success of healthcare institutions. Improving patient relationships is important to meet the patient’s physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs. Reimbursement from CMS is dependent on higher patient satisfaction scores.
Additional Information & References
- Implementation of The Caring Model
- Relationship-Centered Care and Healing Initiative in a Community Hospital by Nurse Key
