[Interaction between clients and public health nurses in child health care].

The purpose of this study was to describe the contents and patterns of interaction between clients (mother and child under one year of age) and public health nurses in child health care at Finnish health centers. The data were collected by observing client--public health nurse interactions during the visits. The data reported in this article were collected during 1987-1989. Totally 1554 interactions were observed out of 20 visits to child health centers. The data were analyzed according to grounded theory method. The contents of the interaction between clients and public health nurses concentrated on child's growth and development. Additionally, family issues like relationships in the family and relatives were discussed. Situational matters during the visit were also included in the contents. Various relationships were identified between child and mother, child and public health nurse and mother and public health nurse. The relationship between child and mother during the visit was called a tenderness, protective and persuasive relationship. The relationship between child and public health nurse was called a persuasive and entertainment relationship. The main relationship between mother and public health nurse was called relationship supporting selfconfidence. This study has produced descriptive knowledge about interactions in health care.