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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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.

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. Questions