Gaining access to clients: the case of health visiting

The aim of this paper is to explore the concept of gaining access to clients as it emerged from an in-depth qualitative study of health visiting practice. The study was conducted using a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis. Forty-five experienced health visitors were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were tape recorded and later transcribed. A detailed analysis of the processes involved in 'entering' into client situations to begin health visiting work is presented. Entry into the client/family situation is a process which involves both obtaining access to the client in the environment where health visitor and client meet and 'entering' into the client situation more fully to continue the health visiting work. The data from this study would suggest that the work involved in entering client situations involves many strategies to ensure entry and re-entry. This process is influenced by many factors within the client, the health visitor, and the health visitor-client encounter. This paper makes a contribution to our understanding of the processes involved in everyday health visiting practice.