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Aims: To investigate parent's knowledge and beliefs of common infections and antibiotics in children before and after an educational intervention provided by maternal and child health nurses. Second, to investigate sociodemographic differences in parent's knowledge before and following the intervention., Design: A prospective pre-post intervention study. The intervention consisted of a booklet with information about childhood infections delivered by maternal and child health nurses., Methods: The study population included 344 parents with a child born during 2017 and residing in three Danish municipalities. Knowledge about infections and antibiotics were collected quantitatively through an online questionnaire before and after the intervention (August 2017-November 2018) and analysed using linear mixed models., Results: Parental knowledge increased after the intervention. Parents with lower education and born in Denmark compared to parents with higher education and born in other countries experienced a higher increase in knowledge from baseline to follow-up., (© 2022 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Health visitors need competences to promote healthy early parent-infant relationships. The aims of this study were to explore whether there are differences between groups of health visitors with and without additional parenting program education in terms of their knowledge of infant-parent interaction and their observation and assessment skills of such interactions. The cross-sectional study included 36 health visitors' certified Marte Meo therapists and 85 health visitors without additional parenting program education. Health visitors' observation skills were measured assessing five video-recorded mother-infant interactions. A questionnaire was used to measure their intention, self-efficacy, and knowledge. More certified Marte Meo therapists than health visitors without additional parenting program education reported a significantly higher mean level of knowledge of the early relationship, 6.42 (95% CI; 6.18-6.66) versus 5.05 (95% CI; 4.86-6.10), p = .04; and more certified Marte Meo therapists than health visitors without additional parenting program education reported a higher mean level of knowledge of infant self-regulation, 2.44 (95% CI; 2.18-2.71) versus 1.83 (95% CI; 1.62-2.03), p < .001. In the latter group, 54% (95% CI; 0.43-0.64) reported a significantly higher need for further education versus 22% (95% CI; 0.11-0.39), p = .001. Compared to health visitors without any parenting program education, health visitors certified as Marte Meo therapists reported a significantly higher frequency of correct assessment of mothers' sensitivity in two of five video-recordings, with 77.78% (95% CI; 0.61-0.87) compared to 45.88% (95% CI; 0.35-0.57) in Video 3, p = .001, and 69.44% (95% CI; 0.52-0.82) compared to 49.41% (95% CI; 0.39-0.60) in Video 4, p = .04, respectively. The results of the present study support the use of video-based education of health visitors to increase their knowledge of and skills in assessing parent-infant interactions. Randomized controlled trials are needed to determine whether the improved level of health visitors' knowledge and observation skills may be assigned to participation in the Marte Meo education program., (© 2017 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.)

Abstract: The present study gives an insight into the health visitors' perceptions on their role in assessing, managing, and supporting mothers with postpartum depression (PPD). The study took place in Cyprus among health visitors of a community Maternity and Child Welfare Clinic using qualitative approach. Data were collected through individual semistructured interviews. The findings showed that although health visitors are able to identify PPD cases, they stress the importance of protocols and evidence‐based care as well as preventive interventions, and they also point out the importance of home visits. Finally, they support the need for education. It is concluded that health visitors can play an important role in women's health and their intervention on the prevention of PPD in the community especially through home visits is very important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper aims to discuss the infant assessment component of the new birth review. The Healthy Child Programme (HCP) is the guidance that underpins the practice of health visiting at this contact. It should be clearly stated that this article is not referring to the Newborn and Infant Physical Examinations (NIPE) undertaken by medical practitioners and midwives at birth and by GPs at six weeks respectively. From reviewing other provider organisations' health visiting standards online, through discussions at professional health visiting forums such as The National Professional Advisory Group and from the author's small qualitative study as part of a master's dissertation there appears to be a wide variation in health visiting practice. There are health visiting (HV) services that offer a universal infant assessment, while other HV services assess the infant in other ways at the request of the parent. However, some services do not undertake an infant assessment at all. The Health Visiting Core Specification states that the health visitor should be able to assess the baby's growth and be able to conduct an ongoing review. This paper discusses the historical background that underpins the different approaches and discusses the implications for different practice at a universal healthy child programme contact. The author discusses tools that evidence current practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many new qualified health visitors may find the transition from being a student to an accountable individual practitioner a daunting prospect. Although competent and knowledgeable, they may feel the need for support and guidance of more experienced professional colleagues as they find their feet in professional practice. The same may apply to those who have returned to practice after a break of five years or more. It may also apply to those who move from a different area of practice by virtue of a new registerable qualification, for example a registered nurse who subsequently qualifies as a health visitor. Feeling valued and invested in by the employing organisation does have benefits to the children, families and communities with whom we work. Building professional resilience and developing and maintaining up-to-date knowledge will inevitably provide a high quality delivery of equitable services. This paper discusses the findings from a six month pilot of the HEE/iHV (2014) National Preceptor Framework for health visitors, exploring the impact of the implementation of the health visitor Preceptorship framework. Whilst the pilot lasted just six months, early indications suggests a positive impact on the staff and the children, families and communities we serve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health visitors lead the Healthy Child Programme (HCP), a universal public health service designed to give children the best start in life. Running through the HCP are responsibilities to safeguard and protect children. Supporting the role of the health visitor is essential to ensure quality interventions and improved outcomes for children. This article describes an empirical study. It explores the experiences and views of health visitors on the mechanisms of support they use for working in child protection and safeguarding. A qualitative approach was used to collect data from two focus groups. The data produced was transcribed and a thematic analysis used to produce the results. The results demonstrate that health visitors gain the majority of their support from their colleagues and from supervision processes. Also identified from the data analysis were three factors which health visitors felt supported their role. These were support for managing the emotions associated with child protection work, feeling safe and effective in practice and having time to reflect and evaluate casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The requirement to support health visitors to develop and maintain their non- medical prescribing practice skills is paramount in supporting better outcomes for children and families. This paper provides discussion and debate on the importance of health visitor prescribing in contemporary health care. Results of a national survey of health visitors' prescribing practice revealed variations in practice and support. Recommendations include the necessity to develop consistent, high-quality continuing professional development (CPD) around prescribing for health visitors, and also the need to re-engage health visitors with how prescribing skills can deliver better outcomes for children, families and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practice teachers have a significant role in leading education in clinical practice and in the preparation, assessment and 'signing off' of post-registration specialist practice students at the end of their programme. This paper reports on the preliminary findings of a grounded theory study which examined the perceived role of the practice teacher from the perspectives of relevant stakeholders. One-to-one interviews were carried out with a purposively selected sample of 21 participants. Data analysis took place concurrently, codes and categories being derived from the data. A focus group interview was conducted further into the study with six specialist practice nurse educators. Early findings suggest that the role of a practice teacher is operationalised differently both within and across organisations and disciplines. This confounds the professional identity of the practice teacher and affects the recognition that practice teachers are afforded for their role. Role recognition appears to be key to building professional identity. The development of a clearer professional identity is essential if educational preparation is to be tailored more specifically to the needs of those undertaking a practice teacher role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to explore and understand the role of health visitor mentors undertaking a mentoring responsibility for specialist community public health nurses. During the unprecedented round of health visitor training, responsibility for the direct management of this role has been devolved from practice teachers to mentors. A qualitative approach using a purposive sample of eight participants and a semi-structured interview was the chosen method. Simple qualitative analysis was undertaken allowing data to be compared and themes identified. The overarching theme within this study was 'powerlessness'; mentors felt they had no say in adopting this role which was imposed upon them. Sub-themes included 'preparedness' relating to their perceived lack of appropriate training, and 'emotional support', which identified inadequate support from managers, while good levels of support were experienced by most mentors from their colleagues. Finally, 'compromising' related to difficulties associated with managing client care, student education and family responsibilities, achieved through prioritising and working overtime. In conclusion, the paper suggests that mentors need further support that acknowledges the pressure of the dual role, and standards for professional development of mentors need to be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood obesity is associated with a number of modifiable risk factors that can be identified during infancy or earlier. In the UK, health visitors advise parents about infant feeding, but little is known about their role in obesity prevention. The aim of this study was to investigate the beliefs and current practices of UK health visitors in relation to recognising and intervening with infants at risk of developing obesity. Thirty members of the health visiting team were interviewed. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was applied using an interpretative, inductive approach. Health visitors were aware of some of the modifiable risk factors for childhood obesity such as infant feeding practices. They felt they had a role in advising parents about diet but did not formally identify and/or intervene with larger infants. Infant overweight was considered a sensitive issue that was difficult to raise with parents. They believed some parents preferred larger infants and were unaware that their feeding practices might be contributing to obesity risk. A need for training and guidance was identified together with strategies to overcome system barriers. Health visitors do not currently target parents of infants at risk of obesity largely because they do not perceive they have appropriate guidance and skills to enable them to do so. There is an urgent need for tools and training to enable all health care professionals to recognise and manage infants at risk of developing obesity without creating a sense of blame. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally, domestic abuse is a significant public health issue in terms of imposing physical and psychological distress upon victims, having a detrimental impact upon parenting and causing psychological problems for victim's children. Figures identify that one in four UK women experience domestic abuse. However, it is acknowledged that reported rates are gross underestimates of true figures and that multiple barriers exist that inhibit domestic abuse identification. This paper reviews the literature to explore these barriers and ascertain evidence-based strategies that will help practitioners to identify domestic abuse more effectively. Particular attention is paid to domestic abuse screening tools, as research suggests their use increases disclosure rates. The paper concludes that routine and recurrent enquiry using a screening tool, information giving to all women, knowledgeable staff and supportive environments, are all potential facilitators to identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's centres aim to improve outcomes for children through the development of integrated services. Health visitors are expected to lead the delivery of child health promotion programmes in geographical areas that include children's centres. During 2007, a group of eight health visitors linked to Phase 2 children's centres in Bristol formed a learning set facilitated by a public health specialist to explore how their role as both caseworkers and public health practitioners could become part of an integrated children's centre team. They developed two linked models intended to help health visitors develop both aspects of their role in practice. First, a proposed management structure for a children's centre which included health visitors at both the strategic and practice delivery levels of the organisation. Second, a conceptualisation of how the proposed management structure would support and develop an integrated team. The paper then discusses an early attempt by one children's centre in Bristol to implement the two models through the development of an integrated outreach team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Before 2011 the UK saw a decline in the number of nurses coming forward to undertake a postgraduate programme in specialist community practice. In addition to financial constraints and an aging nursing demographic, existing health visiting teams have struggled to meet the complex health and social needs of parents with pre-school children. The Health Visitor Implementation Plan published by the Department of Health in England in 2011 aimed to expand and strengthen health visiting services nationwide. This plan is in conjunction with developing new ways of working incorporating the Healthy Child Programme. This model of working was piloted in 26 areas around the UK, commencing in 2011 as an Early Implementer site. The Community Trust in Hackney in East London was one of three trusts within London chosen by the DH in recognition that the health visiting service demonstrated good practice and had the infrastructure to build further sustainable community links. My entry into the role of lecturer-practitioner, on a two-year contract, coincided with this exciting and challenging time for health visiting in Hackney. The article describes the development of a Learning in Practice (LiP) series of workshops, under the umbrella of the Health Visitors Implementation Plan. The aim of the LiP was to support specialist community public health nursing students' transition into practice, whilst at the same time offering support to practice teachers who were managing complex caseloads with the demands of an increase in students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is a synopsis of a presentation given at the Queen's Nursing Institute conference on substance misuse. The presentation focused on how health visitors can assess risk, and limit the harm to children under the age of five. No child can be considered in isolation; their world is shaped and moulded by the parent or carer responsible for them. Therefore, the impact of substance misuse on the whole family and the effect this will have on a parent's capacity to care for and nurture their child is also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]