Function and practice of public health nursing in Japan: a trial to develop the Japanese Purpose-Focused Public Health Nursing Model.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the significance of public health nurses' practice, we introduced the activities of Japanese public health nurses and tried to develop a model based on the purpose of their work.


BACKGROUND
Despite international efforts toward clarifying public health nurses' practice, earlier models based on the purpose of their activities were underdeveloped.


METHODS
Japanese terms describing public health nurses' activities were gathered from the literature, nine researchers analysed and brainstormed the activities to develop a model. Seven municipality public health nurses and three researchers in both Japan and the USA validated the model.


RESULTS
The model includes three categories: creating the basis for support; working with individuals, families to enhance their health; and enhancing the health of individuals, families, groups, communities/regions by working with the community.


CONCLUSIONS
The Japanese Purpose-Focused Public Health Nursing Model was based on the purpose of public health nurses' practice which was considered significant for assisting public health nurses to explain the meaning of their work.
Yoshioka-Maeda
Kyoko
K
Disease Prevention Section, Suginami Public Health Center, Suginami City, Japan. kyokoy-tky@umin.ac.jp
Taguchi
Atsuko
A
Murashima
Sachiyo
S
Asahara
Kiyomi
K
Anzai
Yukiko
Y
Arimoto
Azusa
A
Miyazaki
Toshie
T
Sato
Noriko
N
Sakai
Taichi
T
Oomori
Junko
J
Magilvy
Joan Kathy
JK
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D018672:Community Health Planning; D003256:Community Participation; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000458:organization & administration; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009742:Nursing Theory; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012944:Social Support