A qualitative ethnographic study on the role of public health in the activities of general care nurses

Context: In the nursing profession, public health is often perceived as theoretical knowledge, separated from real-world practice, even though it is an integral component of the profession, including in general care. Furthermore, its complexity is not fully addressed in the cross-cutting nature of initial training.

Objectives: Based on the theoretical framework of professional didactics, our research aims to identify nursing activities that engage with the conceptual field of public health and the associated skills. This involves identifying potential learning situations and their relationship with public health. Method: An ethnographic approach was used, developed using the shadowing model and activity analysis, and combining observations and interviews with ten nurses working in general care. Results: While we were able to highlight the cross-cutting nature of public health in daily activities and care situations, the abstract representations that nurses have of public health hinder its effective application in the analysis of these situations. Discussion: Our results show the value of an analysis model adapted to the complexity of public health, in order to connect the concepts associated with the macrosocial dimension of care and foster interest in public health among future professionals.