The School Nurse, and its elocation to the health care system in the Czech Republic

There is a new trend of shifting the provision of health care from hospitals to the patient?s natural environment. We are increasingly aware of the expensive and sometimes ineffective late hospital treatment; therefore, there are stronger efforts for early diagnosis, prevention and health education from an early age. It is necessary to keep the future generations focused on their health and the health of their family members who live in the community. The initiative must originate not only in families but also in the school environment in which children find themselves almost every day. A school nurse is an expert in the field of community care working in school environment. The work load of the school nurse rests in maintaining and improving physical and mental health. The school nurse supports pupils in their responsibility for their health and she creates a system of formalized school activities, prepares and implements the school?s educational program focused on prevention. The data in the research part of the thesis was obtained through quantitative and qualitative research survey. The quantitative research was carried out using the technique of an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire was intended for general practitioners for children and adolescents, as well as nurses working with general practitioners for children and adolescents. The qualitative research data was collected through semi-structured interviews with the head teachers of elementary and secondary schools on the basis of which casuistries were created resulting in categorized charts. The objective of this thesis was to find out about the position of general practitioners for children and adolescents, and paediatric nurses working with general practitioners for children and adolescents on introducing the function of school nurses in the healthcare system of the Czech Republic. The research in this thesis showed a low level of awareness about the position of school nurses. The primary controversies related to the introduction of school nurses can be described as follows: the method of financing, the issues of authority of such nurses, and the way of preparing for this occupation. The main positive aspect of school nurses can be seen by the respondents in comprehensive care for pupils, prevention and better public education. School head teachers, general practitioners and nurses believe that school nurses should be placed in schools according to the number of school pupils and school head teachers assume greater use school nurses in primary schools than in secondary ones. The method of financing school nurses should be, according to the respondents, from multiple sources. This thesis may be used as a basis for further research work focused on the position of school nurses, and also as a proposal of establishing the school nurse position in the healthcare system of the Czech Republic, or as informative material for professional as well as lay public