title: Remote community-based public health nursing during a disaster: an ethnographic case study in Japan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011 generated a tsunami that directly struck Japan. Public health nurses (PHNs) played important roles in this disaster response and community recovery. This research identified a PHN's experience in an affected area.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ethnographic case study approach was used to obtain in-depth information regarding the experiences of one PHN, using semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and statistical documents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six themes were identified and explored, including that the PHN undertook overwhelming responsibilities to protect the local residents, made several autonomous decisions, and had a strong sense of mission. These were based on the relationship-building that occurred with the local residents due to the geographical characteristics and her own preparations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings encourage PHNs to participate in simulations of disasters in preparation for major catastrophes and establish good collaborative efforts with residents by being a part of the community.
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Nursing, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: NQA58932@nifty.com.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Nursing, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: atogami@nursing.med.tohoku.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Fumi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Atogami
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Nursing, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: nakamurayasuka@nursing.med.tohoku.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Yasuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Nursing, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: yuko.kusaka15@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kusaka
authors.affiliation: Women's Health Nursing, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan. Electronic address: toyoko@nursing.med.tohoku.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Toyoko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshizawa
mesh_terms: D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D004189:Disaster Planning; D055866:Earthquakes; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Case study; Disasters; Ethnography; Life change event; Public health nursing; Relief work