title: Function and practice of public health nursing in Japan: a trial to develop the Japanese Purpose-Focused Public Health Nursing Model.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Disease Prevention Section, Suginami Public Health Center, Suginami City, Japan. kyokoy-tky@umin.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshioka-Maeda
authors.forename: Atsuko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taguchi
authors.forename: Sachiyo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murashima
authors.forename: Kiyomi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Asahara
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Anzai
authors.forename: Azusa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arimoto
authors.forename: Toshie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miyazaki
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Taichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oomori
authors.forename: Joan Kathy
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Magilvy
mesh_terms: 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