Care partner: a concept analysis

BACKGROUND: The use of the term care partner has increased, particularly in the chronic disease literature; however, the concept has not been well defined. PURPOSE: The purpose of this concept analysis was to define and assist nurses to better understand the concept of care partner. METHODS: The method by Walker and Avant was used for this literature-based concept analysis. DISCUSSION: Care partnering includes providing assistance to an individual with a health condition to meet their self-care deficits, the commitment to a care partner relationship, and the recognition that people with self-care deficits are care partners contributing to their own care. CONCLUSION: Emphasizing the care partner dyad in nursing may contribute to improved patient care outcomes both in the acute and chronic settings. It is recommended that nurses view the person with the condition as a contributor and partner in their own care in the context of a larger care partnership.