Daily functioning support - a qualitative exploration of rehabilitative approach in acute hospitalised care

Hospitalised patients are at risk of temporary or permanent loss of functioning which impacts their future independence. Implementation of a rehabilitative approach in everyday nursing in the acute care setting may produce good therapeutic results and promote independent daily living of patients. Thus, the aim of the study was to explore and understand the patterns of a rehabilitative approach in acute hospital wards from the perspective of interdisciplinary team members. Specifically, our aim was to identify the factors promoting and preventing a rehabilitative approach.

We conducted four focus group interviews with 21 participants, including multidisciplinary team members from acute hospital wards. Data were analysed with conventional inductive content analysis.

The findings highlighted that the rehabilitative approach, as a personal way of working and personal working attitude, was a part of comprehensive nursing. The main goals of the rehabilitative approach were to support the physical functioning of the patients and their independent initiative and individuality during clinical care in hospital ward. The promoting and preventing factors that influenced the development of the rehabilitative approach consisted of personal factors, organisational factors and the physical settings of the hospital wards.

The findings of this study indicate that the rehabilitative approach in nursing focused on supporting the physical functioning, independence and self-confidence of the patient. The staff highlighted that interdisciplinary teamwork was one feature of the rehabilitative approach. The rehabilitative approach in nursing should be established as a part of everyday activity in clinical practice.