PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify the status of health management and to evaluate the need for health professionals in day care centers in the South Korea.
METHOD
Data were obtained from 360 child care providers in 16 provinces from May to August, 2007. Data was analyzed using SPSS WIN 14.0.
RESULTS
Safety education (traffic. 83.8% general safety.
71.6%) was provided more often than the other topic of education. All health related education was provided by child care providers. When minor health problems occurred, the most common management strategy was to send the child home (36.1%). During emergency conditions, majority of child care providers preferred taking the children to medical centers without giving any emergency care and 19.4% reported sending the child home without any immediate care. Child care providers recognized the need for health care professionals.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest the need for services of health professionals in day care centers to satisfy the needs and expectations for health management in these centers. As health professionals, public health nurses or pediatric nurse practitioners may play an important role in health management of children in day care centers.
