Nursing roles and competencies in primary care clinics in Japan

Abstract

Introduction : The purposes of this study is to clarify the roles and competencies necessary for nurses working in primary care setting in Japan.
Methods : Fieldwork was conducted using interview and participation-observation methods with six physicians and 11 nurses working at primary care clinics, followed by a qualitative-inductive analysis.
Results : Three functions of the primary care clinics and four roles of the primary care nurses supporting such clinics were identified. These included : 1) Outpatient Function, 2) Home-care Support Function and 3) Community Support Function for the primary care clinics. For nurses, 1) Protecting Individuals' and Families' Health, 2) Ensuring Comfortable Care and Peaceful Death in Familiar Surroundings, 3) Dealing with Community Health Issues, and 4) Managing Clinics which support these functions. Nine categories of competencies corresponding to the roles and four categories of basic competencies necessary for professionals who practice primary care were identified.
Conclusion : Nurses working in primary care settings in Japan need to fulfill a wide range of roles and competencies.