PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING

Abstract

PUBLIC health nursing is not only the core of many community health services but also an essential part of the entire medical care structure of the community. Public health nurses make possible child health conferences, health supervision of school children, care for handicapped children, and communicable disease services as well as other programs of community health organizations. They also make home visits to provide bedside care to sick persons under a physician's care and to urge medical attention for those with health problems. It is impossible to measure the contribution of these shock troops in the health care of children. They are in the front line—in clinics, homes, and schools. They discover and refer many children who might otherwise get delayed or no medical attention. Their persistence in follow-ups helps to maintain continuity of medical care for children. By demonstration and other means, they also help to educate families about health and safety. Areas of Need The Study showed a sharp difference between urban and rural areas in the availability of public health nurses. The contrast between these two areas in volume of nursing service was also great, just as it was for other types of medical service. This is understandable in terms of the history of organized community health services.