The relationship of the Public Health Nurse with people requires a service pattern that includes maintaining the health of the healthy, preventing possible risks, catching and curing diseases at the earliest stage, and rehabilitation. The Public Health Nurse is mostly alone and/or may benefit from the limited support of the health team while providing care services to individuals, families, and groups that are responsible for protecting and improving their health. In other words, there is the opportunity to practice independent nursing functions more freely.
The Public Health Nurse is in a position to plan, implement, carry out, evaluate, and record the health care of the individuals, families, and groups he serves, taking into account the needs of special risk groups.
It is known that some behavioral patterns can lead to acute or chronic disorders. Studies show that the majority of young people show unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and disharmony. Alcohol, cigarette, and drug addiction are increasing. It is reported that the use of these substances has an important role in the emergence of serious health problems such as lung cancer, digestive system, liver diseases, and hypertension. Therefore, it is one of the main duties of the Public Health Nurse to understand the social and emotional dimensions of human behavior and to seek solutions to problems by cooperating with relevant institutions, organizations, and individuals by taking a role in its management.
Socio-economic and demographic characteristics of societies are changing rapidly all over the world. This situation also causes changes in the health problems of societies. These changes cause public health to gain more and more importance. Those working in the field of Public Health Nursing need more training equipped with contemporary information that comprehends these changes and developments.
Lecturer Ayşe Mücella SOYDAN
