Teaching Community Assessments Kay Olson, RN MN Washington State University College of Nursing

Teaching Objectives Perform assessments at the individual/family, community & systems levels. Synthesize evidence-based data from research findings & professional literature. Propose and/or initiate nursing interventions using Community Health Nursing concepts and models. Assessments/Interventions: May be directed at the entire population within a community, the systems that affect the health of those populations, and/or the individuals and families within those populations known to be at risk. Up to this point in the nursing program, the students have focused their assessment and care on the individual and their disease or disease process. Wheel of Public Health Model – Minnesota Dept of Public Health.

Core Functions & 10 Essential Services Monitor health status to identify and solve community health problems. Diagnose and investigate health problems and health hazards in the community. Inform, educate, and empower people about health issues. Mobilize community partnerships and action to identify and solve health problems. Develop policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts. Enforce laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety. Link people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable. Assure competent public and personal health care workforce. Evaluate effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services. Research for new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.

Community Health Defining Community Community: Group of people having common personal/environmental characteristics Geopolitical: Defined or formed by natural or manmade boundaries. Phenominological: Relational, interactive groups based on: Culture Values History Interests Goals

Teach Both Windshield Survey Population Project Choose a geographical area to assess. Example – Benton City, Central Richland, 2 mile radius of elementary school, etc. Population Project Phenominological: Relational, interactive groups based on: Culture Values History Interests Goals Example: Migrant Farm Workers, Office Workers, Seventh Day Adventist

Population Project Literature Research/Annotated Bibliography Demographics National – State – Local Numbers related to population Example: Total numbers,ethnicity,education level, employed, gender, etc. Both help the students learn about the population, or identify determinants of health or risk factors. Phenomenological definition but can include a geopolitical aspect as well, such as Migrant Farm Workers of the Columbia Basin.

Population Project Key informant Interviews Develop Questions Members of population, Healthcare Providers, support persons (families, co-workers, school staff, etc.) Conduct Interviews Each student required to do at least two interviews.

Population Project Goals of project Identify needs of population Develop policies or interventions to address identified needs Assurance that intervention is effective

Windshield Survey Assigned/select geographical area Drive area and complete assessment through “windshield” Use Likert Scale to rate buildings, services, facilities, etc. Reflect and consider : Social class General impression of community Consider current inadequacies and whether/how these are being addressed, and by whom

Plan of Action Population Project Windshield Survey 6 Groups – 6 populations Assessment – Synthesize evidence-based data from research findings & professional literature Key informant interviews Windshield Survey Targeting area Middle Schools 2 schools each in Richland, Pasco & Kennewick Plus Benton City, Prosser & Connell

Expectation of Process Students to report findings to Steering Committee Population Project & Windshield Survey Identified unmet needs of target populations & geographical areas Add Quality Data/Information

Mentors Role of Mentors Partner with Student Groups to Provide Support Expertise Contacts Knowledge of resources Access to key informants

Questions