[Family health nursing in Germany: a process of consensus finding as basis]

The "Project design- and consensus phase for implementation of the Family Health Nurse in Germany" ordered by the German professional association for nurses (DBfK) was realized by the Institute of Nursing Science at the University of Witten/Herdecke. Aim of this study was to find out if there is a consensus between eleven stakeholders from ten different institutions of the German health care system before starting the real "pilot project for the feasibility of the Family Health Nurse in Germany", which should strengthen the prevention and the health promotion in Germany corresponding to the WHO's policy framework "Health 21". The investigation included also the identification of the need and the complexity of the new role for nurses and midwives. Furthermore, a statement should be made about the virtual feasibility. Methodically, multi-level analyses were used. First, the stakeholders were interviewed about the possible role of the Family Health Nurse in Germany. All their statements were determined by qualitative content analyses. From these results different areas of responsibilities for the Family Health Nurse in Germany were developed by using the scenario technique. These scenarios were discussed by the stakeholders in focus groups and revised several times until five consented scenarios could be developed. The contents of the scenarios were generalized and structured to according the variables target group, reason for care, need, access, skills, settlement and financing. Like that, the characteristic features of the new areas of responsibilities for the Family Health Nurse in Germany could be defined. Finally, all stakeholders formulated the consensus for the implementation of the planned pilot project with an integrated educational course for nurses and midwives, which immediately has started in autumn 2005 with an accompanying research evaluation.