Disparity in the Perspectives of Public Health Nurses and Government Administrative Affairs Officials regarding Public Health Nurses’ Work

Abstract

Objective: To describe how administrative affairs officials and public health nurses (PHNs) within local government administrative organizations recognize PHN’s work through interactions.

Methods: We conducted ethnographic interviews with 10 administrative affairs officials and 15 PHNs at a prefectural health center and city hall. Observations of seminars and meetings as well as examinations of PHN training manuals were used as supplemental data. All data were analyzed qualitatively.

Results: In total, two categories and four sub-categories were identified for administrative affairs officials. The two categories were (1) “administrative affairs officials recognize PHNs’ work based on their own criteria related to their own administrative working style” and (2) “administrative affairs officials request PHNs to improve their administrative ability.” Similarly, two categories and four sub-categories were identified for PHNs. The two categories were (1) “PHNs felt that their work was not understood by administrative affairs officials” and (2) “PHNs made an effort to collaborate with administrative affairs officials as members of the same administrative organization.”

Discussion: Administrative affairs officials recognized PHN’s work based on bureaucratic organizational knowledge and behavioral patterns. In contrast, PHNs recognized their work from the perspective of a nursing professional. This disparity in perspectives affected their power balance within the organization. When working in collaboration, PHNs must consider that their criteria of values differ from those of administrative affairs officials. We have discussed strategies and education for PHN students and PHNs working at administrative organizations to improve their collaboration with administrative affairs officials.