Summary
In conclusion, a highly skilled urologic nurse with good observation and communication skills plays a critical role in pro- moting the health of patients undergoing urinary diversion. The scope of patients’ needs require a nurse competent to assume the changing roles in the four phases of the interpersonal process described by Peplau (1992; 1997). Peplau’s theory emphasizes that effective com- munication is integral to the nurse-patient relationship and necessary for educational efforts to be successful. To that end, it is important to involve the patient in establishing the teaching goals, conduct frequent review of these goals, and evaluate the effi- cacy of teaching methods used. Applying this theory to practice helps the urologic nurse evaluate and develop skills and teaching methods to meet the needs of each patient.