Explain one way in which care in hospitals in the years c1250–c1500 was different from care in hospitals in the years c1700–c1900. - Edexcel - GCSE History - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1

In the years c1250–c1500, care in hospitals was predominantly carried out by monks and nuns, who often provided religious and spiritual care as part of the healing process. These hospitals were typically affiliated with religious institutions and emphasized care for the poor, sick, and elderly, focusing on comfort and basic needs rather than medical treatment.

In contrast, during the years c1700–c1900, hospitals began to be staffed by trained doctors and nurses. The approach to care shifted significantly, as hospitals became centers of medical knowledge and practice where surgical techniques and more scientific methods of treatment were employed. This period saw the introduction of more structured medical practices and the application of a growing body of medical knowledge, including hygiene and sanitation, which fundamentally changed patient care.