Prospectus of the Japanese Society for Chronic Illness and Conditions Nursing

December 3, 2006

In today's rapidly changing society, health problems associated with chronic conditions are becoming increasingly complex. It can be said that today's materially affluent and information-rich lifestyles come at a cost. Advances in information technology have not only vastly increased the volume of information accessible, but dramatically changed the way people communicate, leading to significant changes in family life and society, and creating a new network society. These societal and lifestyle changes have exerted a significant influence on people's physical and mental health.

Education and research in chronic nursing have been pursued in virtually all fields of nursing science, such as adult nursing, mental health nursing, regional nursing and geriatric nursing. In 1991, there were only 11 four-year universities offering nursing education, but by 2006 the number had increased to 145. Of these, 87 schools offer masters programs in nursing and 37 schools offer doctoral programs. Despite advances in practice, education and research, however, the knowledge of nursing care for chronic conditions remains piecemeal and scattered. Under these circumstances, we felt the need to bring together experts in chronic nursing to systematize the knowledge in nursing practice for chronic illness and conditions. Such experts include researchers conducting chronic nursing-related studies at educational or research institutes, advanced clinical nursing practitioners (nurses specializing in adult nursing (chronic), certified nurses for diabetes nursing, etc.), nursing managers in medical and health institutions, and policy makers/administrators involved in health promotion/disease prevention nursing services. They are expected to undertake the following activities: refine and develop research methodologies in chronic nursing; extract constructive concepts and practical knowledge in chronic nursing; create regional networks of local public health, medical and welfare organizations/professionals involved in chronic conditions; establish an outpatient nursing care system; submit policy proposals regarding a chronic nursing care provision system; support interaction and collaboration among researchers in chronic nursing; and promote cooperation with related societies.

We feel that it is necessary to generate practical knowledge, without being confined to academic knowledge, that will contribute to the promotion of health and prevention of chronic diseases (lifestyle-related diseases), as well as to improving the care and quality of life for people with chronic physical and mental health problems. It is also necessary to build an effective care provision system. We have concluded that to make a contribution that meets the needs of today's society, it is urgently necessary to establish a society to voice our opinions and make necessary proposals, and to define specific activities to be carried out. Therefore, we hereby propose the establishment of the Japanese Society for Chronic Illness and Conditions Nursing. We sincerely ask for your understanding and approval of the purpose of the Society and for your active participation and cooperation.

Purpose and Activities

The purposes of the Society are to systematize the knowledge on chronic nursing, to support interaction among researchers in the field of chronic nursing, and to make policy proposals regarding chronic nursing.

To fulfill the purposes set forth in the preceding article, the Society shall:

1. Hold academic conferences
2. Publish academic journals
3. Establish a system that supports interaction among researchers in the field of chronic nursing
4. Examine systems and policies
5. Promote cooperation with other academic societies and research institutes related to chronic nursing in Japan and abroad; and
6. Conduct any other activities necessary to fulfill the purposes of the Society