Revista de Práticas Avançadas em Enfermagem

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip: A Case Study to Illustrate Public Health Nursing practice

Abstract

Mulcahy H, Day MR, Coleman C, O’Dwyer P, Leahy-Warren P

Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) captures a range of hip disorders which requires early identification and management and as such is a significant public health and primary care issue. The incidence of late diagnosis is higher in Ireland that other countries. Hip ultrasound is not widely practiced in Ireland. After birth, Public Health Nurses (PHNs) practitioners in Ireland may be the first health professional to be alerted to a missed case of DDH. The aim of this paper is to use a case study to illustrate the complexities of public health nursing practice with parents to screen, intervene and manage DDH. The paper highlights the way in which PHNs fulfil their public health role by implementing interventions, at the level of individuals, communities and systems, to address public health issues, informed by the Public Health intervention Wheel (The Wheel). Implications for education and practice are also discussed.