Father Saturnino Urios University

San Francisco St. Butuan City 8600, Region XIII

Caraga, Philippines
Nursing Program

Name: Chrizley Shawn C. Deronia Year and Section: BSN – N21

Clinical Instructor: Ms. Maria Katrina Costiniano

Day 5: Evidence Based Report no. 2

I. Title/Topic
Home Visit: Opening the Doors of Family Health

II. Research Findings

Through home visits, community/ public health nurses provide opportunities for families to
become aware of potential health problems, to receive anticipatory education, and to learn to mobilize
resources for health promotion and primary prevention (Kristjanson & Chalmers, 1991; Raatikainen,
1991). However, the specific goals and time constraints in each health care service setting affect the
degree to which a family focus can be used. Rather, the setting itself and the structure of the
encounter provide an opportunity for the nurse to practice with a family focus. Family-focused care is
an essential element of community/public health nursing. be prioritized. The foci of community/public
health nursing practice in the home can be categorized under five basic goals: (1) Promoting support
systems that are adequate and effective and encouraging use of health-related resources (2)
Promoting adequate, effective care of a family member who has a specific problem related to illness or
disability (3) Encourage normal growth and development of family members and the family and
educating family about health promotion and illness prevention (4) Strengthening family functioning
and relatedness (5) Promoting a healthful environment and the five basic goals of community/public
health nursing practice with families can be linked to categories of family problems. Home visits are
one means by which community/public health nurses can address these problems and achieve goals
for family health. In this article, advantage and disadvantages of home visiting were discussed, for
instance with the positive side is that it provides more opportunities for individualized care, on the
downside on the other hand, one is the nurse safety can be an issue. Some community/public health
nurses are assigned by geographical area or district. With geographical assignments, the nurse has the
potential to work with the entire population in a district and to handle a broad range of health
concerns; the nurse can also become well acquainted with the community’s health and social
resources. Other communities/public health nurses are assigned to work with a population aggregate
in one or more geopolitical communities. To relate to the family, the community/public health nurse
does not have to meet all members of the household personally, although varying the times of visits
might allow the nurse to meet family members usually at work or school and with all that, there are
several principles strengthens the clarity of purpose. Through assessment, the community/public
health nurse attempts to identify what actual and potential problems or concerns exist with each
 individual and, thematically, within the family . In most states, statutes (laws) provide that health care
workers, including community/public health nurses, have a right and an obligation to intervene in cases
of family abuse and neglect, potential suicide or homicide, and the existence of communicable diseases
that pose a threat of infection to others. Being a guest as a community/public health nurse in a family’s
home does not mean that the relationship is social. A nurse-client relationship with a family (rather
than an individual) is critical to community/public health nursing. The difference that usually seems
most significant to the nurse who is learning to make home visits is the fact that the nurse has less
control over the family’s environment and health-related behavior (McNaughton, 2000). A second
major difference in nurse relationships with families is that the goals are usually more long-term than
are those with individual clients in hospitals. Nursing interventions in a hospital setting become short-
term objectives for client learning and mastery in the home setting. The short-term goals on which
everyone has agreed are important to make clear so that the nurse and the family members have a
common basis for evaluation. Because families have more control over their health in their own homes
and because change is usually gradual, greater emphasis must be placed on mutual goals if the nurse
and family are to achieve long-term success. Failure of the nurse to address the family’s primary
priority may result in the family perceiving that the nurse does not genuinely care. The nurse must
suggest health-related topics that are appropriate for the family situation. Finally, it is mentioned that
Mayers (1973, p. 331) observed 16 randomly selected nurses during home visits to 37 families and
reported that “regardless of the specific interaction style [of each nurse], the clients of nurses who
were client-focused consistently tended to respond with interest, involvement, and mutuality.” A
client-focused nurse was observed as one who followed client cues, attempted to understand the
client’s view of the situation, and included the client in generating solutions. Family members may have
had previous relationships with community/public health nurses and students. Other families who have
had no prior experience with community/public health nurses may not have specific expectations. With
such, nursing efforts are not always successful. However, by being concerned about the impact of
home visits on the family and by asking questions regarding her or his own motivations, the nurse
automatically increases the likelihood that home visits will be of benefit to the family. The nurse is
acknowledging that the intention is for the relationship to be meaningful to both the nurse and the
family. Building and preserving relationships is a central focus of home visiting and indeed requires
significant effort.

III. Conclusion

From the findings of the study, the goal of opening doors of family health through home visit is
to provide a precise individualized/family holistic care. Home visiting programs provide structured visits
to high-risk parents who are pregnant or have small children by trained professionals and
paraprofessionals. These programs assist families by providing health screenings, referrals, parenting
advice, and assistance navigating various community programs and services. The programs also track
how well children are meeting developmental milestones. Quality home visiting programs assist parents
in providing secure and supportive settings for their children, and families and home visitors develop
strong bonds over time, resulting in long-term benefits for the entire family. Hence, all the benefits
that’ll be gained are for the betterment of the family and community.
IV. Analysis

This study plays a vital role in the nursing profession where nurses are obliged to
participate such community task/activity for them to be exposed to real situations,
practice their skills and knowledge, and apply it to practice. The significance of home
visit to the nurse and client is to evaluate the patient's and his family's living
conditions as well as their health practices in order to provide suitable health
education. To provide health education about illness prevention and control. To build
a close working relationship between health agencies and the general people to
promote health. Moreover, with regards to family involvement with patient care in
home health nursing, it is absolutely essential because family members is a key in the
care of patients, including aiding the health-care team in providing treatment,
enhancing patient safety and quality of care, assisting in home care, and satisfying the
expectations of the patient's family and society at large.

V. Reference

Claudia M. Smith (Jul 24, 2016)

file:///C:/Users/chris/OneDrive/Documents/Home%20Visit_%20Opening%20the%20
Doors%20for%20Family%20Health%20_%20Nurse%20Key.html