J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2010 Dec;21(4):398-408. 10.12799/jkachn.2010.21.4.398.

Self Role Perception of Health Teachers in Elementary Schools

• Lee JH
• Lee BS

• KMID: 2292870
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2010.21.4.398

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to describe and understand elementary school health teachers' role perception in their own perspectives.
METHODS
Data were collected from three focus groups composed of five participants for each group. Each focus group had an interview for two and a half hours on the average. The main question was "What is your perception on the roles of health teachers in elementary schools?" Qualitative data from transcribed notes and field notes were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Five main roles were identified from the participants. The participants perceived themselves as 'an expert of health education in school and community', 'a health service provider for school members', 'a health guardian for school members', 'the coordinator of healthcare related works in school', and 'the leader of school health'.
CONCLUSION
The participants have multiple role identities, which are very important for health management of school members. And the roles such as an expert of health education and a leader for school health are recently emphasized. The findings of this study can provide useful information to design orientation programs for newly appointed health teachers and continuing education programs for enhancing role performance of health teachers in elementary schools.

Keyword

Role; Perception; Healthcare; School teachers

MeSH Terms

Delivery of Health Care
Education, Continuing
Focus Groups
Health Education
Health Services
Humans
School Health Services

Reference

1. Chung YS, Lee CY, Lee GY. School health. Seoul: Hyunmoonsa;2004.

2. Educational Training Institute of Busan National University of Education. Textbook of the on-the job training for health teachers. Busan: Educational Training Institute of Busan National University of Education;2010.

3. Elo S, Kyngäs M. The qualitative content analysis process. J Adv Nurs. 2008; 62(1):107–115.

4. Green R, Reffel J. Comparison of administrator's and school nurses' perception of the school nurse role. J Sch Nurs. 2009; 25(1):62–71.

5. Jung GS, Ahn SH, Chung ES. Role expectation and role performance for school health educator as elementary school students recognize. J Korean Soc Sch Health. 2003; 16(2):125–134.

6. Kim HJ. A study on the actual condition of health education and the perception of professional competence by school nurses. Suwon: Ajou University;2001. Unpublished master's thesis.

7. Kim HJ, Yun SN, June KJ. School health and nursing. 4th ed. Seoul: Sumunsa;1999.

8. Kim HY. Survey research on the realities of school nursing teachers' performance in health education and their professional competence. Jinju: Gyeongsang National University;2000. Unpublished master's thesis.

9. Kim KR, Ju HO, Kim YH. A descriptive analysis on health education in elementary school after introduction of 7th curriculum modification. J Korean Soc Health Educ Promot. 2005; 22(1):41–54.

10. Kim SJ, Yi MS, Eun Y, Ko MH, Kim JH, Kim DO, et al. Role-identity of home care nurse practitioners. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2006; 36(1):103–113.

11. Kim YS. A study on the recognition and need analysis to in-service qualification of school health instructors. Suwon: Ajou University;2002. Unpublished master's thesis.

12. Moon JS, Sohng KY, Lee JE. Status of health education by elementary school nurses. J Korean Soc Health Educ Promot. 2005; 22(4):57–72.

13. Morgan D. Focus groups as qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications;1997.

14. National Association of School Nurses. Issue brief; School health nursing services role in health care; Role of the school nurse. Silver Spring. MD: National Association of School Nurses;2002. Retrieved October 13, 2010. from http://www.nasn.org/default.aspx?tabid=279.

15. Park JJ. A research on the actual condition for school health affairs of school nurse in Kyunggi province. Seoul: Ewha Womans University;2003. Unpublished master's thesis.

16. Parsons MA, Felton GM. Role performance and job satisfaction of school nurses. West J Nurs Res. 1992; 14(4):498–511.

17. Pinckney CA. An analysis of the role perception of school health nurses in Maryland between school nurses and school administrators. Fairfax County, Virginia, USA: George Mason University;1996. Unpublished doctoral dissertation.

18. Shin KR, Cho MO, Yang JH. Qualitative methodology. Seoul: Ewha Womans University Press;2004.

19. Suh MJ, Kim SS, Shin KR, Kang HS, Kim KS, Park HR, et al. A study on the lived experiences of homecare nurse. J Korean Acad Nurs. 2000; 30(1):84–97.