2021 Volume 24 Issue 2 Pages 40-49
Aim: This study aimed to explore how nursing practices reflect the intentions and actions of public health nurses (PHNs) to clarify the characteristics of appropriate nursing practice for recipients of welfare services.
Method: Nursing practices of six PHNs for recipients of welfare services were examined. These PHNs were contacted and interviewed about their “intentions” and “actions” regarding their nursing practice and other health support activities. After documentation, individual interviews were conducted to identify their behavior and inner thoughts. Data were analyzed for seven themes and were extracted by comprehensively referring to the context and combined PHNs’ intentions and actions and identifying similarities. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Medical Ethics Centre.
Results: The context and combined PHNs’ intentions and actions were recorded and integrated into 20 items. There are some items of new nursing practice for various care recipients’ needs and values (e.g., identify the aim for visiting and consider how to communicate with them). There are also the same items as other nursing practice (e.g., establish and maintain relationships with care receivers and support systems).
Conclusion: It was found that PHNs assigned to board of welfare services specifically aimed to identify and consider various care recipients’ needs and values, lead independent lives to deal with crucial issues, and secure appropriate supports for recipients of welfare services from neighbours and care workers. Furthermore, PHNs universally aimed to establish relationships with recipients of welfare services, maintain their daily lives independently, and establish support systems including neighborhood residents.
