2020 Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 2-9
Aim: This study aimed to clarify the primary features of healthcare provided by public health nurses (PHNs) to participants (including family members and bystanders) of a public health program designed to increase physical exercise to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Methods: Clinical participant observation was conducted at a public health program designed to prevent NCDs. The practices of five PHNs in three cities were observed. Data on participants, opportunities, and nursing practices were obtained from clinical notes and categorized according to similarities.
Results: The occasions were categorized such as, “Call over during the preparation.” The nursing practices for the participants included “support efficient and safe exercise according to each participant’s physical and mental condition.” The nursing practices for the participants’ families included “support health condition and promote exercise among the family as a whole”. And that for the bystanders included “support for promoting exercise and health status with the aim to develop the program.”
Discussion: Based on the nursing principal of responsibility to the community, the following features of nursing practice were identified: PHNs should provide care to participants, participants’ families, and bystanders; care should be provided throughout the program; PHNs should support safe and independent exercise habits, compensate the high-risk approach, and utilize meetings with families and residents to further develop the program and support their health.
