[The use of knowledge in public health nursing activities in child health care; a methodological study]

The purpose of this research is to study the selection and use of nursing knowledge in two simulated practical situations in child health care. The study introduces a computer-simulated test based on the decision-making process. The contents of the simulations are a reality-based case description including theoretical and experimental knowledge about child's development, care and education. The target group consists of 61 public health nurses. The computer simulations was implemented in workplaces of public health nurses. The results of the study prove that the main focus in the work is on the child and his/her health status, development and care but it includes also family and environment. The use of knowledge was not always systematic and relative to the child's and the family needs.