Abstract
Objective: This study describes the support process of public health nurses (PHNs) for immigrant Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) and their caregivers. It also explores the factors promoting or preventing the effective progress of this process. Method: Participants were 13 PHNs working in cities with high foreign resident registration rates. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews. The participants were asked to describe one of the most difficult immigrant CSHCN cases from their experiences. The data were first analyzed via case by case, and then the results were integrated to create an overview of the support process. Results: The CSHCN included Brazilians, Filipinos, and Peruvians. Their chronic conditions were developmental delay, congenital diseases, malignant tumor, cerebral palsy, and complications of low birth weight. The support process was categorized into five stages: <taking a chance for case identification>, <clarifying client's needs and situation>, <exploring client's intention on health service use>, <supporting client in appropriate service choice and preparing for service introduction>, <encouraging client for continuous service use>. The factors that influenced the process were 【child physical conditions】【caregiver and family factors】【support from ethnic community】【support from Japanese community】【quantity and quality of interpreter】【network with key service providers】【health and welfare service system】【preparedness of PHNs for foreign clients】. Conclusion: The support process for immigrant CSHCN was doubly interfered by immigrant and CSHCN-specific factors.
