What are the most important emotional needs of patients in Iran

This study was conducted with the aim of clarifying patients‟ and their family‟s perspectives regarding the patients‟ emotional needs. A qualitative approach was adopted using content analysis of semistructured interviews carried out with 11 of the patients and 7 of their companions who were selected through purposeful sampling. The following themes emerged from the analysis: „establishing relationship and improving the patient‟s mood‟, „compassionate behavior‟, „provision of information‟, „improving physical environment‟, and „attention to the companion‟s needs‟. The participants‟ experience reflects the need to pay more attention to the patients‟ emotional needs. The findings of the current study emphasize the necessity of training nurses and nursing students on the basis of the patients‟ needs. Furthermore, paying attention to the present problems and obstacles in the way of proper response to the patients‟ needs and providing suitable conditions are essential decisions to be made by authorities.