Viewpoints of the assessment of workers in depressive states performed by occupational health nurses

Abstract

【Purpose】This research is to identify the viewpoints needed for occupational health nurses to assess workers with depressive states. 【Methods】Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen full time occupational health nurses at different employers in the Kanto region. Word-for-word transcripts were created and the contextual similarities compared and categorized. 【Results】The assessments were organized into the following six categories: interpret perspectives towards issues, speculate on immediate work environment, speculate using objective information such as work attendance, interpret influences on daily and professional lives, speculate on family relationships, and speculate on the need for reporting health information. 【Discussion】Occupational health nurses demonstrated the viewpoints of making assessments regarding the immediate work environment and to consider the individual position while estimating what is necessary for workers with depressive states.