Exploring the role of the district nurse in rehabilitation

This article reviews the available literature to examine the district nurse's contribution to rehabilitation of the older patient in the community. It is argued that policy and demographic changes indicate that there is a demand for nursing care in the home that enables individuals and their carers to live with chronic health problems and develop strategies that maintain and improve their health. The ways in which district nurses incorporate an understanding of patient rehabilitation within their work is discusses. It is suggested that although there is an expectation that district nurses can and should be involved in planning and supporting rehabilitation for their patients, the process is often poorly defined, hampered by contextual problems and dependent on the cooperation and support of others. Furthermore, in specific areas of care such as cardiac rehabilitation and services for those recovering from stroke, there would appear to be an increase in specialist nurses who either undertake or coordinate the rehabilitation process for patients. This raises questions regarding how district nurses should develop their skills in rehabilitation and what strategies could be adopted to develop patterns of work that ensure collaboration and development rather than overlap and duplication.