2013 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

A New Assessment Tool for Reviewing the Progress of Public Health Nurse Support for Children with Autism Spectrum Disoders

Research Project

Project/Area Number	23792707
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Research Field	Community health/Gerontological nurisng
Research Institution	Kobe University
Principal Investigator	ISHII Miyuki 神戸大学, 保健学研究科, 助教 (40437447)
Research Collaborator	MATSUDA Nobuko 神戸大学, 大学院保健学研究科, 教授 (10157323) TAKADA Satoshi 神戸大学, 大学院保健学研究科, 教授 (10216658)
Project Period (FY)	2011 – 2013
Keywords	発達障害 / 継続支援 / 保健師 / アセスメントツール
Research Abstract	This study aimed to develop a new assessment tool for reviewing the progress of public health nurse (PHN) support for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families. Specific items for the assessment tool were extracted from the literature on PHN support for children with ASD and their families and from data obtained from a group interview with nine PHNs with at least 5 years of work experience. An assessment tool constituted of 9 main categories was eventually developed. The assessment tool was mailed to 26 PHNs across Japan, who were asked to respond to its items. Data were analyzed using SPSS Text Analytics for Surveys, and validity of the assessment tool was evaluated. We believe this new tool constitutes a valuable contribution in enhancing the effects of for caring children with ASD and supporting their families.