Researching needs in district nursing

This paper describes the first stage of a research project aimed at understanding the needs of clients (and their carers) of district nursing services. The project applies a pluralistic research design, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Through the use of an ethnographic approach, concepts of needs are generated which are related to how clients and carers perceive themselves and the role of the district nurse. The study attempts to formulate needs within a contextual framework against which an activity analysis of district nurses' work (stage 2) can be evaluated.