THE MULTIFACETED ROLE OF THE NURSE IN THE DAY HOSPITAL

This paper presents the initial findings hom an action research study designed to explore and improve rehabilitation practice in a geriatric day hospital. The role of nurses in day hospitals and their contribution to rehabilitation form the focus of the discussion, which emanates from the analysis of semi-structured interviews with 13 members of the multi-disciplinary team, and observation of team meetings and patient reviews. Factors which influence the therapeutic activity of nurses are identified and tentative interpretations offered. The findings indicate that the nurse's role in day hospitals is multifaceted and varied and the conclusion is drawn that, far from being marginalized in rehabilitative and therapeutic terms, the nurse's central co-ordinating role should be recognized as the lynchpin of day hospital activity.