Family and community nursing: Overview of practice in Europe [L’infermiere di famiglia e comunità: Panoramica sull’esercizio della professione in europa]

In this contribution, an overview of the role and functions of the family nurse in some European countries is presented. The role of family and community nursing varies with respect to contexts and changes according to the needs of the population, focusing particularly on frail conditions, or maternal and child support, or the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Family and community nurses have specialized postgraduate training, except in Finland, to gain skills to help individuals and families prevent disease conditions or cope with chronic disability. They work primarily in community centers, in patients' homes, and with families; advocate for lifestyle modification and behavioral risk factors; and care for families on wideranging health issues.