title: District nursing in Dominica.
abstract: District nurses constitute the basis of the primary health care services in Dominica. All encounters of three district nurses were registered using the international classification of primary care. Information on other aspects of district nursing was collected by participating observation and the use of a questionnaire. Check-ups for hypertension, diabetes, pregnancy and immunisations constituted 40% of all reasons for encounter. The district nurses dealt with 80% of all contacts; only 20% of all patients were referred to the district medical officer. There are several discouragements to the motivation of the nurses. In addition to being a nurse, all have their family and other obligations. Postgraduate training with diversified certification and upgrading of wages could contribute to a continued high motivation and increased job satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kolkman
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Luteijn
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Nasiiro
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bruney
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meyboom-de Jong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019424:Dominica; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires