MANDATORY HEALTH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES GUIDELINES: AN EXPLORATION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSES IN ONTARIO ABOUT THE EFFECTS ON THEIR PRACTICE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION STATEMENT (NURSING).
Contributors: University Of Toronto (Canada)
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 246
Subjects: Education, Health.; Sociology, Public and Social Welfare.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: In this study, the perceptions of Community Health Nurses (CHNs) are investigated in relation to the influence on their practice of the implementation statement of the new Ontario public health policy, Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines. Of forty-two health units in Ontario, two are selected for study.

The implementation statement requires practitioners to develop, implement and evaluate programs and services with extensive community participation and intersectoral cooperation. For the study, multidimensional, qualitative, interactive approaches are chosen for research, which is conducted by questionnaires and group discussions. Scenarios depicting selected modes of practice are based on theoretical concepts (holistic knowledge, community orientation, and interactive learning) which underlie the new health policy--they are used to ascertain the understanding of the philosophical and theoretical underpinnings of the new policy. Also, nursing administrators of the units and others who form the contexts of CHN practice are interviewed.

The research findings demonstrate consensus about changing expectations for CHN practice. There is a strong sense of loss about giving up traditional practice. There is confusion about community development activities, and a sense of lack of support from politicians and administrators. In this transition, needs are identified for continuing education, creation of mentoring arrangements and networks for learning, re-organization in health units, and research about new practice. The major influence of change on professional practice as well as education and management of organizations is demonstrated--and the need for research about preparation for this change.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-12, Section: A, page: 3753.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO (CANADA), 1991.

School code: 0779.