Медицинската сестра и профилактични грижи при децата в ранна детска възраст
The Nurse and prophylactic care for children in their early age

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: The prophylactic care for children in their early age, traditionally provided by Children consultations, today is delivered by the General practitioners and the role of the nurse was minimized if not missing. Aim: To analyze the relevant legislation concerning health and preventive care for children and the role of nurse and to point out the problems to be solved in order to improve quality of service. Methods: Document analysis, Inquiries of nurses (188) working at children healthcare facilities. Results: Document analysis show that there is no regulation that mandates nurse’s participation in the team that provides basic health care service including prophylactic care for children. There is no good definition or distinction for the func-tions of GPs and nurses in the terms of prophylactic care for children. There is contradiction in the established professional competencies for a nurse and the restrictions in the existing legislation towards healthcare for children. Inquired nurses find their role in improving the quality of the health care service in children consultations by helping doc-tors in the routine activities like immunizations and anthropometry and also in educating parents in terms of health culture and prevention. Home visits or patronage is suggested as appropriate action in this regard. Conclusion: Changes in the legislation and reorganization focused on the recipients may lead to better inclusion of the nurse with an increased capacity for improving the prophylactic care for children in their early age.

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