Abstract
This study, which focuses on the identification of elderly who are in need of preventive care of a bed-ridden, presents possible ways of case finding by public health nurses (PHNs). The subjects of this study were ten PHNs who had been recommended by their supervisors to participate in a preventive care program in seven cities and towns in the Kinki District. Each subject was interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The interview records were used to obtain data regarding the steps followed by the PHNs to identify prospective elderly care recipients (PECRs). The information collected was organized into categories. Each subject had an average of 20 years of experience as a PHN. The average age of the subjects was 43.3 years old. Case finding by PHNs was conducted in two possible ways : 1. through various types of information about individuals ; and 2. through information related to the population to which PECRs may belong. The former includes information of certain and potential problems related to PECRs, while the latter includes information about high-risk individuals, potential PECRs, and other community residents. Elderly needing preventive care of a bed-ridden were screened and picked up from the above groups. The PHNs collected information about the PECRs directly from individuals in need, from referrals from PECRs' family members, community residents and groups, and relevant health institutions, and through activities hosted by PHNs. Current studies on case finding by PHNs are very limited, as they only focus on certain aspects of this issue, such as the route through which PECRs may be referred to PHNs. This study focused both on the referral route and on specific methods used by PHNs to identify PECRs as well as the quality of the information gathered. In addition, the manner to conduct case finding presented here enables the identification of certain as well as potential problems of PECRs. A uniform method would be desirable to identify various kinds of individuals who need care.
