Community health practices in India
Shashi Mawar
Published on: 2021-12-06
Abstract
Nurses form the largest health care professional group and are the main health professionals in touch with the community. The community health nurse works WITH and not FOR the individual patient, family, group or community. Community health nurses, especially those in public health settings, are now considered first responders—a role that traditionally belonged to law enforcement and emergency response professionals. Community health nursing is essential to the health and welfare of the entire population. There is a move towards community because of several reasons- Changing demographics, Changing disease patterns, An increase in chronic illnesses resulting in underestimated health-care expenditure, A reform in the health financing system, A renewed focus on health promotion. The health care services rendered include Clinical care, Health care, Support for healthy activities and Welfare and other support.
The five layers for providing services as actors in community care include:
- Individual self-care
- Family care
- Care and support among neighbors and groups in the community
- Care and support given by health-care providers and healers, and
- Welfare and support provided by community allies such as the local administrative government; community organizations such as community health funds, community funds, and cremation fund; social welfare office;
Nursing students provide a variety of services in community settings. They Cover an extensive and diverse range of activities and are difficult to define. Services are delivered in a wide range of settings – including in people’s own homes as well as in community clinics, community centres and schools – so are less visible than services delivered in hospitals. The precise range and configuration of services vary between local areas.
They commonly include, –adult community nursing
- specialist long-term condition nursing
- therapy services
- preventive services such as sexual health and smoking cessation clinics
- child health services including health visiting
- School health
- Some providers also deliver specialist services such as prison health care and
Advanced practice in community setting
With a shortage of doctors, it is the nurses and other allied health professionals who run the show in many of the primary healthcare settings in India. Nurses make up a major proportion of the health workforce. Thus we need more and more nurses who are capable of addressing the diverse healthcare needs of society. There is a shift from hospital based curative care to community based preventive and rehabilitative care, and a greater focus on giving people control over their health. Therefore, we need nurses who are equipped with specialized knowledge and skills in public health to work in community healthcare settings. Advancement includes both specialization and expansion and is accomplished through formal course work; clinical practicums in public/community health nursing areas with qualified preceptors.