Perceptions of changes in public health nursing practice: a Canadian perspective

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nursing Practice
• Health Care Management

Background:

• Public health nursing is evolving due to healthcare restructuring.
• Understanding nurses' perceptions is crucial for adapting practice.
• Alberta's health units serve diverse urban and rural populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore public health nurses' perceptions of practice changes.
• To analyze identified themes in relation to population health and primary healthcare principles.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 28 public health staff nurses in Alberta, Canada.
• Data collected through individual and focus group interviews (1993-94).
• Content analysis used to identify key practice change themes.

Main Results:

• Identified themes include 'pulling back,' 'from hands on to arms length,' 'handing over responsibility,' 'developing working partnerships,' and 'doing less surveillance.'
• These changes reflect a shift in the nature of public health nursing interventions.
• Nurses' experiences highlight a move away from direct, hands-on care.

Conclusions:

• The identified practice changes have significant implications for population health outcomes.
• Public health nursing practice is adapting, potentially impacting the delivery of primary healthcare.
• Further research is needed to track ongoing changes resulting from health system reforms.