What do nurses think of their role in the hospital's restorative care and rehabilitation services for older patients?: a qualitative systematic review

Date

2025

Authors

Adhikari, R.
Dafny, H.A.
De Bellis, A.
Parry, Y.K.
Iyangbe, U.G.

Editors

Advisors

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Type:

Journal article

Citation

Journal of Clinical Nursing (JCN), 2025; 34(2):345-381

Statement of Responsibility

Conference Name

Abstract

Aims: To examine rehabilitation nurses' perspectives on their roles in caring for older patients in hospitals, emphasising how they fulfil these roles and their significance in geriatric rehabilitation (GR). Background: The need for rehabilitation services was rising with an aging population. Rehabilitation nurses provided evidence-based care to older patients and encouraged them to participate in their rehabilitation goals. Rehabilitation nurses were vital to recovery; their contributions needed to be appreciated and valued. Design: A qualitative systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for qualitative evidence and a PROSPERO protocol CRD42023435728 published beforehand. From inception to 9 October, 2023, a comprehensive database search was developed using Medline and translated into five databases, including CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest and Ageline. Results: Thirty-three studies were reviewed, identifying six key themes, including decision-making, nursing role gaps, care coordination, communication, nursing skills and gender preference. Conclusion: This review examined rehabilitation nurses' experiences working with older patients in rehabilitation services. It highlighted gaps in their recognition and decision-making involvement despite being care coordinators, caregivers and advocates who were undervalued as rehabilitation team members. Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care: The review highlighted the importance of valuing nurses' contributions and re-evaluating the rehabilitation model. Further Implications of This Study: Interviewing rehabilitation nurses can validate the findings, potentially improving rehabilitation nursing practices for older patients. Reporting Method: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). No Patient or Public Contribution: Not applied since it was a systematic review.

School/Discipline

Dissertation Note

Provenance

Description

Data source: Supporting Information, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/downloadSupplement?doi=10.1111%2Fjocn.17585&file=jocn17585-sup-0001-Supinfo.docx

Access Status

Rights

Copyright 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Clinical Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

License

Grant ID

Call number

Persistent link to this record