'Micro' public health--the reality

The first paper in this series itemised the research undertaken to discover the unexpressed needs of the village population. Community Participatory Appraisal methodology ensured that local people had the opportunity to express their opinions and health needs. Interviews were analysed and data offered to a focus group for ratification. This information was then used to create a questionnaire. The World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (brief form) and Antonovsky's 'Orientation to Life' questionnaire were added to ensure as many aspects affecting the health of the population were covered. The questionnaire indicated the importance for planning purposes. The role of health visitors has recently returned to the broader remit outlined in 1977 by the Council for the Education of Health Visitors and framed in the four principles of health visiting. In the 1980s the medical model of health visiting prevailed and individual health promotion dominated. During the 1990s this expanded to encompass 'family public health' looking at the impact of a variety of attributes, for example; poverty, relationships, lifestyle and community. Now government is urging health visitors to work with populations; to determine health needs and collaborate with agencies to effect changes. Implementation of the research findings, detailed in this, the second paper, records the steps taken to accomplish 'micro' population public health and the success of this new way of working. Health visitors need to equip themselves with a variety of new ways of working, including community development, in order to maximise the health of their population.