[The voluntary medical care during the First World War. The work of the nursing staff in the military field hospitals on the eastern and western frontlines]

Medizinhist J. 2012;47(2-3):176-220.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The voluntary medical care consisted of civilians who were provided to the medical corps in the First World War for the first time in this great dimension. The nursing staff on the eastern and the western German frontlines were sending letters back home, some of them were drafting diaries due to the special event or recorded their experiences after the war. Besides the narratives of their private impressions, these documents are reflecting their nursing work, which the nursing staff had to achieve. An important factor was, that the patients were soldiers. Conflicts in the cooperation with the medical staff and among the nurses did not seem to have influenced a good quality of care, however it facilitated a harmonic coexistence and above all, it helped to sustain behind the fronts. The study of the nursing care and the relationship with patients and among the staff reflects on the meaning of nursing care for the staff.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Germany
  • History, 20th Century
  • Hospitals, Military / history*
  • Humans
  • Mobile Health Units / history*
  • Nurse's Role / history*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / history*
  • Volunteers / history*
  • World War I*