Abstract
Background: According to the diversification of the health needs and the expansion of health disparities, it is necessary to raise their reflective practice skills so that PHNs present more appropriate activities. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the realities of reflective practice skills among public health nurses in Japan and identify related factors. Methods: This study covered 1725 public health nurses in the Chugoku/Shikoku area. We conducted an anonymous self-completed questionnaire survey. As reflective practice skills (RPS), we adopted the six components of the six cycles of the Gibbs reflective model. We used the 20 criteria of the Scale for Practical Competence (SPC). We set 25 learning history/daily lifestyle items. The study plan was approved by the Ethics Committee of Okayama University. Results: We analyzed the 962 (55.8%) valid responses. Although years of experience as a public health nurse was highly correlated with practical skills as measured by SPC, with a correlation coefficient of 0.627, it was not closely related with RPS, with a correlation coefficient as low as 0.129. A logistic regression analysis of the eight learning history items and six daily lifestyle items associated with RPS, with the introduction of the high/low RPS groups as dependent variables, showed a convergence to five factors (odds ratio of 1.38 - 2.29). Conclusions: Going forward, we will need to consider how to accumulate learning on a daily basis and how to include positive health practice in PHN education, in connection with exploring the curriculum and method of training.
Highlights
Reflective practice is a forward-looking exercise for practitioners to review their own way of working and find out about the best practice expected of them [1]
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the realities of reflective practice skills among public health nurses in Japan and identify related factors
Since it has been verified that the practical skills of public health nurses improve with experience [7] [8], we used the 20 criteria of the Scale for Practical Competence of Public Health Nurses for measuring the practical skills of the PHNs [9], in order to find if the same is true with reflective practice skills (RPS)
Summary
Reflective practice is a forward-looking exercise for practitioners to review their own way of working and find out about the best practice expected of them [1]. There is no correct answer in the activities of public health nurses, who are always required to find the best possible solution to each specific case. This means that public health nurses have to upgrade their reflective practice skill if they are to ensure quality services. This is important because of the realities of society today, characterized by the diversification of health issues, widening health gaps and frequent health crises including natural disasters and emerging infections. Conclusions: Going forward, we will need to consider how to accumulate learning on a daily basis and how to include positive health practice in PHN education, in connection with exploring the curriculum and method of training
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