Effects of a Reflection-Based Health Guidance Skills Training Program, Part1�: Perceptions of Public Health Nurses -

Background

Japanese public health nurses (PHNs) need proficiency in health guidance to support people in improving their lifestyle, and to prevent lifestyle-related disease. Unfortunately, there are few effective education programs targeted at the improvement of PHNs’ health guidance skills. The present study sheds light on the learning gleaned by the PHNs after undergoing a reflection-based training program on good health guidance. This program was developed by Koide et al.

Methods

Over the period of three months, 11 PHNs participated in the above program. They recorded and described (in pre-prepared worksheets) their experience in response to each of the modules undertaken. The modules included group activities and role-plays of simulated situations in which PHNs’ had to provide health guidance. Data were analyzed using content analysis. To improve the validity of the results, the categories were discussed with the co-authors of this study.

Results

Content analysis revealed three categories of learning: “deliberate attempt to improve health guidance skills upon identification of personal weaknesses,” “practicing methods learned to improve own health guidance skills,” and “increased personal awareness of the need for continuous professional development as a PHN.”

Conclusion

We found an increase in the PHNs’ awareness for continual professional development. Additionally, in comparison with their original state of mind, they were more inclined after the program to improve their skills through role-plays and group activities. Nevertheless, further research on the outcomes of this program is necessary.