[Preventive medicine and nursing tasks of a public health nurse]

Points of departure are the goal of preventive medicine and a definition of ambulatory health care. The fields of practice and tasks of a public health nurse are described. An instrument for the systematic assessment of patient problems is used to illustrate the attitudes and behavior needed on the part of the public health nurse. Neither the patient (or potential patient) nor the care giver can be considered as an isolated individual or can act alone. A total approach to patient problems requires that cooperation between patient and care givers be enhanced through conscious effort. The earlier the intra/inter/extra factors are known and the more sources of information are available, the more easily and efficiently can the tasks of primary health care be perceived (with regard to individuals or groups). Good health care is a mandate for all health professionals but care of one's health is a task of every person.