Abstract
Purpose : Issues arising in international nursing cooperation include differences in thinking about nursing and nursing skills between the destination country and Japan. To make nursing cooperation for developing countries more effective, Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers nurses working in Laos were interviewed, and their activity reports analyzed to clarify differences in nursing practices. Methods : Five nurses from Japan working in Laos and 14 reports prepared by nurses working in Laos were analyzed to clarify differences in nursing practices between Laos and Japan. Descriptions of differences in nursing were extracted from reports, and semistructured interviews. Data was classified referencing Achievement Targets for Nursing Skills / Midwifery Skills (Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, 2003). Results : Many statements were related to nursing skills such as infection prevention, symptoms and biological function management, and medicine prescription, and patient care by patient's family. Many differences in midwifery skills during delivery and pregnancy were extracted. Conclusions : The study clarified nursing practices between Laos and Japan, and is expected to contribute greatly to future international cooperation in nursing.
