National map of functional recovery units. FUN-RUN-Map

Although Functional Recovery Units (FRUs) have proven effective in improving the health of older people, their development at the national level has been uneven. This study analyses how these units are distributed geographically in 2024, what resources they have, how they operate, and what the professionals who work in them think.
🔍 How was the study conducted? An online survey was conducted among FRU professionals in public or subsidised hospitals. Thirty-two units out of a possible 55 participated, located in 11 provinces and 8 autonomous communities. Most of the respondents were geriatricians with more than 13 years of experience.
📊 Main findings URFs are mainly located in intermediate care hospitals, with an average history of more than 22 years. There are 0.21 beds per 1,000 people over the age of 65 in Spain, indicating low availability. Staff ratios (doctors and nurses per bed) are slightly higher than what professionals consider ideal. Detailed data on the structure, processes and outcomes of these units were collected.
✅ Conclusion: The study highlights the need to establish national standards defining how URFs should be and function, including the opinion of patients. This would improve the quality, efficiency and equity of care for older people.