Nursing in the Middle Ages was mainly influenced by both religion and war.
1. Religion
In medieval Europe, as a result of social, economic, and religious developments, hundreds of hospitals, large and small, were established in various countries as specific charitable institutions to provide care for the poor, the orphans, the widows, the elderly, and the sick.
Nursing work was mainly undertaken by nuns, who promoted the development of nursing with their rich nursing experience and good moral character. During this period, nursing gradually shifted from a "family-oriented service" to a "socialized and organized service", with the formation of religious, military, and civil groups that provided initial care to patients.
2. War
In the 12th and 13th centuries, European Christians and Muslims fought a 200-year religious war over the holy city of Jerusalem. Because of the years of war, the increase in the number of wounded, and the prevalence of infectious diseases, coupled with the poorly equipped hospitals, insufficient beds, chaotic management, and insufficient nursing staff and lack of knowledge of nursing care at that time, the death rate of patients was very high.
The characteristics of nursing in the stage of disease-centered care:
①Nursing has become a specialized profession, and nurses are required to undergo specialized training before practicing.
②Nursing is subordinate to medical care, and nurses are doctors' assistants.
③The main content of nursing work is the implementation of medical advice and the completion of the technical operation of nursing.
4 has not yet formed an independent nursing theory system, nursing education is similar to medical education, nursing research field is limited.