보건진료원 업무활동의 변화과정 : 문헌사료를 중심으로

Changes in Work Activities of Community Health Practitioners by Time Period

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changing process of work activities of community health practitioners in medically vulnerable areas. Methods: For the study an historical research method was used, based on literature data and collected literature data related to the work of community health practitioners from 1940 to 2013. Results: There were 45 records according to the literature data about the work activities of the practitioners. Analysis of the process of work activities by time period was based on the historical records: first, the introduction period (1940~1980) saw the "community health practitioners begin their work activities"; second, the development period (1981~1997) involved "provision of comprehensive health and medical service"; third, the stagnation period (1998~2005) characterized by "attempts at new role changes in a crisis"; fourth, the expansion period (2006~2011) "focused on the work of health promotion"; and finally, the stable period (2012~the present) observed "work activities of community health practitioners recognized." Conclusion: Results showed five topics in the process of work activities of community health practitioners by time period. The results offer basic data to investigate work activities of these practitioners and enable discussions about the future of community healthcare.