Public Health Nurses and the delivery of quality nursing care in the community

Aim. The aim of the study was to explore factors which impact on quality nursing care in the community from the Public Health Nurse's (PHN) perspective. Background. Public Health Nursing has significantly evolved over the past few years with the delivery of quality nursing being a focus point. This study explores factors that impact upon the delivery of quality care in Public Health Nursing in Ireland. The findings provide an opportunity for an additional perspective to be included in the existing international findings and act as a starting point from which further research can be built. Method. A qualitative method using semi‐structured interviews were conducted. Interviews were taped and content analysed. Findings. Four main categories emefrged from the data, namely role change, components of quality nursing care, barriers to quality nursing care and the factors that facilitate the delivery of quality nursing care in the community. PHNs strive for evidence‐based practice; they acknowledged their inability to achieve this and referred to factors that inhibited them from reaching their goal. Conclusion. Enhanced education for PHNs will equip them in the delivery of a quality service and have a positive impact on patient care. Better communication is required between PHNs, line managers and the multidisciplinary team. The delivery of community services need to be reviewed and developed further in accordance with the health strategy policy. Relevance to clinical practice. This study has identified the evolution in clinical practice associated with the changing role and scope of Public Health Nursing. Clinical practice has evolved over time to incorporate societal change, technological advances and the delivery of an evidence‐based service responsive to identified need. This study identified the presence of an increase in the specialist clinical work being undertaken as a result of new technological advances entering the community working environment.