Authors

Mª Pilar Serrano Gallardo

Position

Redactora de Metas de Enfermería.

Contact address

E.U.E. Puerta de Hierroc/ San Martín de Porres, 4. 28035 Madrid.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the opinion of the population of the Health Center Virgen de Begoña (Area 5, Madrid) on the concepts "the intrinsic good, the excellency and the market control" as nursing professional characteristics.

Methods: Design: descriptive transversal study, using a self-administered questionnaire,validated by means of a pilot study on 24 individuals from the target population.Population and sample: Individuals over 13 yrs. old, attending the Health Center during 1996; sample of 373 individuals obtained by First Unit Cluster Sampling (p=0,05, sampling error=10%). Variables: the three professional characteristics were operative through the questioning. Process: Values of descriptive and inferential statistic (x2); 95% confidence interval; statistic software EpiInfo 6 and H. Graphics 2.

Results: "Market control": 78,3% (73,6, 83,2) were attended at the clinic directly by the nurse. 83% (77,4, 87,5) are aware of the name of their nurse. "The intrinsic good":73,3% (67,1,78,9) believe in the essentiality of these service to control their health.61,2% (54.,5, 67,5) perceive the nurse as an independent professional. "The excellency": 91,3% (86,6, 94,4) fully trust their nurse. 76,9% (70,7, 82) think that the nurse always help them to keep or recover their health.

Conclusion: There is a proportion of 20% of the population that has not received care by their appointed nurse. Only 9,7% gain admittance through the nurse. There is a clear professional development, supported by the results obtained in the three professional characteristics investigated.

Keywords:

community nursing; professionalism; Primary Health Carenursing clinics

Versión en Español

Título:

Características profesionales de la enfermera comunitaria. ¿Qué opina la población?