RESEARCH PAPER Public health nurses’ (PHNs) experiences of their role as part of a primary care team (PCT) in Ireland AUTHORS Martina Giltenane Dr Maura Dowling MHSc, PGD (Public Health Nursing), BSc (General PhD, MSc, RNT, BNS, RGN. nursing), Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Public Health Nurse. Limerick Local Health Office Áras Moyola, National University of Ireland, Galway, Primary Care Area 1, Ireland. Cloughkeating, Patrickswell, Co. Limerick, Ireland
[email protected] [email protected] Marcella Kelly MSc (Education), BSc (Community Health), RNT, PHN, RM, RGN. Lecturer, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Áras Moyola, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland
[email protected] KEY WORDS public health nurse (PHN), primary care, primary care team (PCT), interdisciplinary, teamwork. ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to understand public health nurses’ (PHNs) views and experiences of their role as part of a primary care team (PCT) and developments within primary care. Design The study adopted a qualitative design guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Participants Ten PHNs who were working as part of a PCT for at least two years and who also had PHN experience prior to PCT development were interviewed. Findings Three super‑ordinate themes representing the study participants’ lived experience and meanings of PCT involvement were interpreted. ‘We are a team’ represents mostly positive experiences of being part of a team such as improved communication and teamwork. However, GP non‑attendance at PCT meetings was also highlighted by all the PHNs. ‘Pushed to the limit’ revealed the PHNs’ frustrations attributed to lack of resources. In addition, this theme represented PHNs’ views of always having to ‘take up the slack’ within the team.