Rehabilitation nursing practice and the contribution of osteopathy

Abstract

Background: Rehabilitation nursing is a nursing specialty that comprises specific specific knowledge and procedures to help individuals maximize their functional potential and independence. The rehabilitation nurse is able to use techniques and technologies other than those that are commonly used in their professional practice, namely osteopathic techniques, in order to enhance the effectiveness of care. Objective: To explore the experiences of rehabilitation nurses who use osteopathic techniques in their professional practice. Methodology: Descriptive exploratory study using semi-structured interviews with 8 rehabilitation nurses with training and practice in osteopathy. They were recruited through the snowball sampling method. Data were processed using the content analysis technique. Results: Participants believe that they provide more differentiated care when using osteopathic techniques. Conclusion: The use of osteopathic techniques may constitute a new paradigm in rehabilitation nursing practice.