Ihoolosuhteisiin

Ihoolosuhteisiin (care relationships) is a Finnish term used to describe the relationship between a caregiver and a person receiving care in health care, social services, and related settings. It covers professional caregivers such as nurses, social workers, and home care workers, as well as family members or volunteers who provide care in a formal capacity.

Key features of ihoolosuhteisiin include professional boundaries, mutual trust, and ethical obligations. The care relationship is characterized by a power imbalance, with the caregiver in a position of responsibility for the recipient’s welfare. Effective communication, respect for the recipient’s autonomy, and confidentiality are central norms.

Ethical and legal aspects: In Finland, care relationships are guided by professional codes of ethics and by laws protecting patient and client rights, privacy, and safety. Requirements for informed consent, safeguarding against abuse, and maintenance of confidentiality apply across health and social care settings. Practices emphasize person-centered care and culturally competent engagement.

Challenges and practice: Maintaining boundaries can be difficult in long-term or close-contact settings. Caregivers may experience burnout, while recipients can depend heavily on the relationship. Training in communication, ethics, safeguarding, and cultural sensitivity is common, as is supervision and organizational support to ensure quality and safety.

See also: professional relationship, patient rights, caregiver burnout, caregiving.