Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Exploring the Role of the Public Health Nurse in the HSE
Dublin Mid-Leinster (Laois/Offaly and Longford/Westmeath)
Local Health Office Areas in Promoting Population Health
Kathleen Griffin
Practice Development Co-ordinator, PHN Services.
Nursing & Midwifery Planning & Development Unit
HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster
Block 4, Central Business Park
Clonminch
Portlaoise Rd
Tullamore
Co. Offaly
Tel. No. 05793 57866
Abstract
Public health nurse’s (PHNs) work in the community, their
experience and relationship with primary health care and other
sectors situate them strategically for contributing their skills and
expertise to the promotion of population health. Health promotion
has a distinctive role to play in promoting population health. It
adopts a holistic approach utilizing empowerment, participative and
community development methods for reaching beyond the
traditional public health nursing model to engaging with the
population in promoting their health. There is a dearth of literature
that examines PHNs current role in promoting population health.
The aim of this study was to explore the role of the public health
nurse in the HSE, Dublin Mid-Leinster Area in promoting population
health.
A triangulation of methods was utilised in the methodology process
and involved both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A non
probability sample was used. Stage one involved facilitating a focus
group with eight public health nurses. Subsequently, data collected
from the focus group discussion was used to formulate the
questionnaire. The results of the questionnaire were then used to
design the interview schedule for the semi-structured interviews.
Stage two involved distributing a postal questionnaire to ninety four
PHNs, a response rate of 67% (n=62) was obtained. Finally, semistructured
interviews were conducted with two PHN managers.
In the study PHNs perceived personal lifestyle and work to influence
their health. Fifty nine respondents (95.2%) perceived that health
promotion was an integral part of their role and a majority conform
to traditional definitions of health promotion. The terms health
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