Nursing consultation for patients and relatives in an inpatient setting—a systematic review

Abstract Background Demographic changes are leading to a significant shortage of skilled nurses, with a 50% increase in care needs predicted by 2030. By 2035, an additional 493,000 nurses will be needed in Germany, particularly in inpatient care. After the introduction of a new concept of long-term care needs in Germany in 2017 and the associated formulation of care-related tasks, nursing consultation is becoming increasingly important for care professionals. There is a call for an enhanced integration of nursing consultation in Germany to improve care quality amid these challenges. Aims The aim of this work is to show the diversity and necessity of nursing advice in the inpatient setting. Method A systematic literature search was conducted of the databases PubMed and Cochrane, focusing on title and abstract with the keywords “patient,” “relatives,” “nursing consultation,” and “inpatient setting” based on the PCC scheme (Patient, Concept, Context). After removing duplicates, 443 articles remained and were filtered according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 26 studies investigating the topics and effects of nursing consultation on patients and relatives were selected for inclusion in the review. The selected studies were summarized with regard to the research questions and evaluated according to their quality. Results The studies encompass a broad spectrum of nursing consultations across various specialist fields, with notable emphasis on pediatrics, oncology, and intensive care. Thematically, the consultations addressed a diverse range of care phenomena, most frequently focusing on anxiety, family-centeredness, HIV, and cancer. The studies showcased a variety of counseling formats, including group and individual sessions, telephone consultations, and multimedia telemedicine, underscoring the adaptability of nursing consultations to patient needs. Notably, the outcomes of nursing consultations were positive, showcasing significant improvements in mental health, patient compliance, nutritional status, and overall quality of life, among other benefits. Conclusion Recommendations for nursing practice can be derived from the review, suggesting a focus on prevalent nursing phenomena for counseling across patient populations to improve outcomes. While nursing consultations are well-established in oncology and pediatrics, there is potential for expansion in other specialized areas, such as intensive care. Notably, certain aspects like family-centered care are not adequately covered, indicating a need for further research.