Mary Rose Day

Primary Health Care: Comparing Public Health Nursing Models in Ireland and Norway

Health of populations is determined by a multitude of contextual factors. Primary Health Care Reform endeavors to meet the broad health needs of populations and remains on international health agendas. Public health nurses are key professionals in the delivery of primary health care, and it is important for them to learn from global experiences. International collaboration is often facilitated by academic exchanges. As a result of one such exchange, an international PHN collaboration took place. The aim of this paper is to analyse the similarities and differences in public health nursing in Ireland and Norway within the context of primary care.

Perceptions and Views of Self-Neglect: A Client-Centered Perspective

Aging populations and chronic illness increase vulnerability of older people for self-neglect, which is a serious public health issue. Many referrals received by Elder Abuse Services (EAS) in Ireland are categorized as self-neglect. The aim of the research was to observe and describe the living circumstances of a purposive sample of eight older people who were deemed self-neglectful by senior case workers. An exploratory descriptive research design was used. The themes that emerged were early life experiences and lifestyle, disconnectivity, vulnerability, frugality, and service refusal. The majority of participants were content so decisions to live in this way must be respected.

Self-Neglect: Development and Evaluation of a Self-Neglect (SN-37) Measurement Instrument.

Self-neglect (SN) is a global phenomenon, largely hidden, poorly defined, and a serious public health issue. It can be intentional or unintentional and depends on the individuals capacity. Creating a safe living environment for self-neglecting adults can present complex ethical challenges. The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of an instrument to measure professionals perceptions of self-neglect. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this two-stage study. Stage 1 involved the generation of an item pool (90 items), face and content validity; and pilot testing of the instrument. In stage 2, the questionnaire was posted to a national sample of community health and social care professionals (n=566) across Ireland, with a 60% response (n=339). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted using scale development guidelines to identify scales and subscales of the instrument. Construct validity was established using EFA. The result was a 37-item SN instrument, composed of five factors: environment, social networks, emotional and behavioural liability, health avoidance, and self-determinism which explained 55.6% of the total variance. Factor loadings were ≥0.40 for all items on each of the five subscales. Cronbachs alpha (α) for four subscales ranged from 0.83 to 0.89 and one subscale was 0.69. The SN-37 can be used not only to measure SN, but also to develop interventions in practice. Further testing of the SN-37 in primary care settings with diverse populations is recommended.

Self-Neglect: Ethical Considerations.

Self-neglect is a significant international public health issue. Estimates suggest that there may be over one million cases per year in the United States. Aging populations will put more people at risk of self-neglect. This chapter presents background literature, self-neglect definitions and policy context, risk factors, and a brief overview of research on perspectives of self-neglect from both clients and community health and social care professionals. A case study is presented from the perspective of an individual and is used to explore ethical issues therein. A person-centered assessment within a multidisciplinary team approach is required for building a therapeutic relationship with clients. Capacity is a central issue in the management of responses to self-neglect. Ethical considerations of importance for community health and social care professionals include beneficence and nonmaleficence, autonomy and capacity, and respect for peoples rights and dignity. A model of ethical justification is presented to explain dilemmas, challenges, and actions. Competence of professionals, multidisciplinary team working, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and best interest are also critical considerations. Effective decision making by an interdisciplinary team of professionals needs to be person-centered and give due consideration to the best interest of self-neglecting clients. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an in-depth discussion and examination of ethical issues and challenges relating to self-neglecting clients.

A national cross-sectional study of community nurses and social workers knowledge of self-neglect

BACKGROUND self-neglect (SN) is a global health and social problem affecting societies, which is largely hidden, under-reported and underresearched. Community nurses (CNs) and social workers (SWs) need to be knowledgeable about SN. OBJECTIVE to determine CNs and SWs sources and level of SN knowledge. METHODS quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional. SUBJECTS CNs and SWs working in the community with older people at risk of SN. SETTINGS participants were recruited from four Health Service Executive (HSE) areas in Ireland. INSTRUMENT a questionnaire was developed to elicit levels and sources of SN knowledge. A postal survey was used. RESULTS of the 566 questionnaires posted, 339 responded (Nurses (N) N = 305; SWs N = 34), a 60% response. SWs had statistically higher knowledge scores (P = 0.002), and difference in average scores between CNs and SWs was statistically significant (P = 0.037). There was a statistically significant difference between practice and personal experience (P = 0.44), and use of literature/books (P = 0.037) between CNs and SWs, with SWs using both sources more. Higher knowledge scores were significantly associated with number of SN cases, higher education and gender. CONCLUSION there is a need for interdisciplinary training on SN.

Community-dwelling women's knowledge of urinary incontinence

As the population ages, the risk and prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) will increase. Although this is the case, many women do not seek help or treatment. It is therefore important to investigate womens knowledge of UI. This pilot study aimed to describe community-dwelling womens knowledge of UI. A convenience sample method was used to recruit 50 community-dwelling women aged 50 and over. Some 36 participants completed a demographic questionnaire and the Urinary Incontinence Knowledge Scale (UIKS)-a response rate of 72%. The findings indicated that participants had poor knowledge of UI, principally in relation to risk, prevention, treatment and management factors. Fewer than 20% of participants indicated they had been given information on bladder and bowel health issues. The findings suggested that women had unmet educational needs relating to UI. Community nurses have a key role to play in promoting targeted awareness and continence education advice regarding UI to community-dwelling women.

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Case Study to Illustrate Public Health Nursing practice

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) captures a range of hip disorders which requires early identification and management and as such is a significant public health and primary care issue. The incidence of late diagnosis is higher in Ireland that other countries. Hip ultrasound is not widely practiced in Ireland. After birth, Public Health Nurses (PHNs) practitioners in Ireland may be the first health professional to be alerted to a missed case of DDH. The aim of this paper is to use a case study to illustrate the complexities of public health nursing practice with parents to screen, intervene and manage DDH. The paper highlights the way in which PHNs fulfil their public health role by implementing interventions, at the level of individuals, communities and systems, to address public health issues, informed by the Public Health intervention Wheel (The Wheel). Implications for education and practice are also discussed.

Self-neglect: a case study and implications for clinical practice.

Self-neglect is a worldwide and serious public health issue that can have serious adverse outcomes and is more common in older people. Cases can vary in presentation, but typically present as poor self-care, poor care of the environment and service refusal. Community nurses frequently encounter self-neglect cases and health and social care professionals play a key role in the identification, management and prevention of self-neglect. Self-neglect cases can give rise to ethical, personal and professional challenges. The aim of this article is to create a greater understanding of the concept of self-neglect among community nurses.

A falls case summary: Application of the public health nursing intervention wheel

BACKGROUND The Public Health Intervention Wheel (PHIW) is a population-based practice model that encompasses three levels of practice (community, systems, and individual/family) and 17 public health interventions. Each intervention and practice level contributes to improving population health. Public health nurses (PHNs) provide care at the three levels of practice. Prevention of falls is a public health issue and the majority of falls happen at home. Therefore, prevention and management of falls in the community could benefit from a public health systems approach by PHNs underpinned by the PHIW. CASE PRESENTATION A hypothetical case is presented of a 78-year-old gentleman who had a fall which resulted in a fractured right acetabulum and surgery before being discharged home. METHODS The aim of this paper was to use a case summary to illustrate PHN practice in the context of the PHIW as applied to falls management and prevention. This paper focuses on fall incidence and PHN response in Ireland and Norway. The PHIW is described and relevant interventions from the PHIW are applied to PHN practice in managing the case. CONCLUSIONS The PHIW model provides insight into the potential scope of public health nursing in falls, articulating PHN practice in the community.

Exploring the housing needs of older people in standard and sheltered social housing

Objective: Our home can have a major impact on our physical and mental health; this is particularly true for older people who may spend more time at home. Older people in social (i.e., public) housing are particularly vulnerable. Housing options for older people in social housing include standard design dwellings or specially designed “sheltered housing.” The most suitable housing model should be identified, with older people consulted in this process. Method: Survey of older people (aged ≥60) living in standard or sheltered social housing. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS Version 22. Results: Overall, 380 surveys were returned (response rate = 47.2%). All older people had similar housing needs. Those in sheltered housing were more satisfied with the physical home design and reported more positive outcomes. Older people in standard housing were less likely to have necessary adaptations to facilitate aging-in-place. Discussion: Older people in standard housing reported more disability/illnesses, are worried about the future, and felt less safe at home. However, few wanted to move, and very few viewed sheltered housing as an alternative, suggesting limited knowledge about their housing options. Future social housing designs should be flexible, that is, adaptable to the needs of the tenants over time.