Self-reported competences of public health nurses for developing needs-oriented local healthcare plans: A nationwide cross-sectional survey

Effectiveness of a web-based learning program for promoting local healthcare planning competencies

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of a web-based educational program regarding local healthcare planning by public health nurses (PHNs) in Japan.

DESIGN

A single-blind randomized controlled trial.

SAMPLE

Full-time PHNs working for local governments across Japan.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was nurses' self-perception of competencies in public health policy. The secondary outcome was self-perception of knowledge, skills, and perspectives regarding local healthcare planning. We analyzed intergroup differences using the intention-to-treat principle and the Mann-Whitney U-test.

INTERVENTION

The intervention group received six web-based learning modules including substantial knowledge and skills regarding local healthcare planning based on the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation model and adult learning theory.

RESULTS

Totally, 273 PHNs registered, and 38 were excluded without completing the baseline survey; 235 were randomly allocated to either the intervention (n = 118) or control (n = 117) groups. Sixty-four participants in the intervention group completed the program. Over 70% of the participants lacked opportunities to learn about local healthcare planning. The intervention group showed significant improvement in self-perception of competencies, knowledge, and skills regarding local healthcare planning, except for items related to evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

The web-based learning program effectively improved participants' self-perception of competencies in local healthcare planning.

Association between public health nurses' involvement in local healthcare planning and the corresponding off-the-job training

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the association between receiving off-the-job training and the involvement of public health nurses in local healthcare planning.

DESIGN

A nationwide, cross-sectional study design.

METHODS

We sent self-report questionnaires to 2,185 public health nurses with experience in developing local healthcare plans in Japan since 2013 and collected information related to three main categories: demographic data, involvement in local healthcare planning and strategies for healthcare planning.

RESULTS

We received 1,281 responses (return rate of 58.6%), of which 231 did not meet the inclusion criteria. Thus, we analysed 1,050 valid responses. Among the 1,050 respondents, 496 (47.2%) had received off-the-job training in healthcare planning. A subsequent logistic regression analysis revealed that the following factors were associated with this achievement: holding a managerial position, receiving healthcare planning education at the undergraduate level, having mentors regarding the promotion of it, partially conducting cross-sectional coordination and conducting groupwork with community-dwelling residents.

Feasibility of an educational program for public health nurses to promote local healthcare planning: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Promoting of local healthcare planning is crucial for assisting public health nurses in improving community health inequities. However, there is no effective educational program for developing relevant skills and knowledge among these nurses. Therefore, this study aims to assess the feasibility of a newly developed web-based self-learning program to promote the involvement of public health nurses in the local healthcare planning process.

METHODS

A pilot randomized control trial randomly allocated eligible public health nurses to intervention and control wait-list groups [1:1]. The former will be exposed to six web-based learning modules from July to October 2021. After collecting post-test data, the wait-list group will be exposed to the same modules to ensure learning equity. The primary outcome will be evaluated by implementing a validated and standardized scale designed to measure public health policy competencies at the baseline and post-intervention, while secondary outcome will be measured on an action scale to demonstrate the necessity of healthcare activities. The third outcome will be the knowledge and skills related to local healthcare planning by public health nurses. The participants will provide feedback through free descriptions on the trial feasibility and a web-based self-learning program to identify improvement points for continual refinement.

DISCUSSION

The results will provide suggestions in preparation for a future definitive randomized controlled trial. This will provide preliminary data for an intervention aimed at improving relevant competencies among public health nurses who are tasked with resolving health inequities in their respective communities through local health planning.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The protocol for this study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry and approved by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (No. UMIN000043628 , March 23, 2021).

Factors associated with the utilization of community assessment models among Japanese nurses

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to identify factors related to the practical utilization of community health needs assessment (CHNA) models that public health nurses (PHNs) learned in their fundamental education.

DESIGN

A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted via postal mail.

SAMPLE

We randomly selected 630 public health institutes in Japan. The participants were 3397 full-time novice and mid-level PHNs.

MEASUREMENTS

The questionnaire included the participants' basic personal information, six items regarding the perception of CHNA with a 4-point Likert scale, learned models in their undergraduate education, their utilization in practical settings, and the reasons for their answer in narrative form.

RESULTS

There were 951 valid responses. The results of logistic regression showed that the significant positively factors with model utilization were perception of CHNA as "not troublesome" or "not impossible as they learned," continuing education with 5 years of experience, and identification of the learned model in continuing education. Furthermore, the results of text mining showed the reasons for non-utilization of the model included being "busy" and having a lack of "opportunity."

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed the associated factors with rare utilization of a learned model for PHNs. These findings may suggest improvement of continuing education and development of an appropriate assessment model.