The Nurse as the Discussion Opener During Ward Rounds: An Observation Study in the Wards of a Finnish University Hospital

Abstract

Background: Ward rounds serve as a forum for sharing information between the patient and health care professionals. In order to ensure the multiprofessional nature of the rounds, the nurse's expertise and knowledge of the patient's situation is needed. The nurse's presence during the ward rounds is necessary to ensure patient satisfaction and the quality of the patient's treatment, even though nurses rarely participate in discussions during the ward rounds.