Abstract
Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate diffidence in proficient public health nurses who conduct self-evaluations of community-focused nursing. Methods : Subjects were seven public health nurses with 6-10 years of experience at prefectural health care centers and were also experienced in developing community-focused nursing for those suffering from mental disorders based on individual support. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Diffidence is defined as "a feeling mainly occurring due to self-consciousness and insecurity wherein one does not trust or respect their own judgment, competence, and skill, leading to low self-esteem." In addition, qualitative, inductive analyses were conducted. Results : Based on the data, even the proficient public health nurses working at health care centers and building networks and organizations for mental disorder patients were found to be diffident. Diffidence included "worry and anxiety about collaborating with health care, medical and welfare workers," "difficulty in building a network among health care, medical and welfare workers," "difficulty in maintaining organization for those concerned about patients with mental disorders," "strain and anxiety of developing mental health nursing in the community" and "pain and anxiety in smoothly supporting individual cases." Discussion : We consider that the diffidence of the proficient public health nurses was self-questioning about their judgments and actions from the perspective of ideal competence and proficiency. Moreover, the diffidence of these proficient public health nurses appeared to be a self-evaluation of their judgments and actions with reflection about how to provide better support. It was suggested that it is important that the proficient public health nurses evaluate their own competence adequately, and that the support organization of chief nurses and colleagues should provide guidance and advice to these proficient but diffident nurses.
