Master's-level nurses

Master's-level nurses need to be able to think critically about the evidence, outcomes data, and other relevant information they encounter throughout their daily practice. Often the evidence or information that a nurse encounters, researches, or studies is not presented in the exact context of that nurse's practice. A key skill of the master's-level nurse is to transfer evidence from the context in which it was presented and apply it to a different context in order to maximize the benefit to patients in that new context.

Professional Context
Master's-level nurses need to be able to think beyond the bedside. It is important to be able to research, synthesize, and apply evidence that will result in improved health outcomes for the communities and populations that are part of your care setting. Improving outcomes at a community or population level, even incrementally, can create noticeably significant, aggregate health improvements for patients across all of a care setting.

Scenario
Your organization has created an initiative to improve one of the pervasive and chronic health concerns in the community. Some examples of possibilities for health improvement initiatives include type 2 diabetes, HIV, obesity, and communicable diseases. You will need to do your own research to gather and evaluate the relevant data for your chosen issue.

Once you have created a presentation for the initiative, you have been asked to present to a group of community stakeholders. The purpose of your presentation is to inform and enlist support for the initiative from your audience.

Instructions
The optional Evidence-Based Population Health Improvement Plan Presentation Template [PPTX] is provided to help you prepare your slides. If you choose to work without the template, consider referring to Creating a Presentation: A Guide to Writing and Speaking and Guidelines for Effective PowerPoint Presentations.

The suggested headings for your presentation are:

Community Data Evaluation.
Meeting Community Needs.
Measuring Outcomes.
Communication Plan.
Evidence.
In your presentation, you will:

Evaluate the environmental and epidemiological data about your community to determine a population-focused priority for care.
Identify the relevant data. This can be communicated in a table or chart.
Describe the major population health issue suggested by the data within your community.
Explain how environmental factors affect the health of community residents.
Identify the level of evidence, validity, and reliability for each source.
Explain what evidence in the current literature (published within the last five years) supports your evaluation of the data and the population focused priority of care you have selected.
Develop an ethical health improvement plan with outcome criteria that addresses the population health priority that you identified in your evaluation.
Consider the environmental realities and challenges existing in the community.
Include interventions that will meet community needs.
Address potential barriers or misunderstandings related to various cultures prevalent in the community.
Propose criteria that can be used to evaluate the achievement of the plan's outcomes for your population health improvement.
Explain why your proposed criteria are appropriate and useful measures of success.
Explain a plan to collaborate with a specific community organization to support the implementation of the population health improvement in an ethical, culturally sensitive, and inclusive way.
Identify the community stakeholders that are relevant to your Population Health Improvement Plan.
Develop a clear communication strategy that is mindful of the cultural and ethical expectations of colleagues and community members regarding data privacy.

Full Answer Section

   

Meeting Community Needs:

  • Identify key stakeholders: Engage with community leaders, healthcare providers, social service organizations, and affected individuals to understand their needs and concerns.
  • Cultural sensitivity: Consider diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and language barriers within the community.
  • Address social determinants of health: Explore how factors like poverty, access to healthy food, education, and transportation impact health outcomes.

3. Measuring Outcomes:

  • Define SMART goals: Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals for improving the chosen health issue.
  • Outcome metrics: Identify indicators to track progress and measure the impact of your intervention (e.g., disease prevalence, hospital admissions, health screenings).
  • Ethical considerations: Ensure data collection and analysis comply with ethical principles of informed consent, privacy, and confidentiality.

4. Communication Plan:

  • Tailor messages to specific audiences: Use clear, concise language and appropriate cultural context when communicating with community members and stakeholders.
  • Utilize diverse communication channels: Consider using multiple platforms like printed materials, social media, community events, and health fairs to reach your target audience.
  • Promote active participation: Encourage feedback and community involvement in developing and implementing the health improvement plan.

5. Evidence:

  • Search for current literature: Look for relevant research articles published within the last five years to support your chosen health issue and intervention strategy.
  • Appraise evidence: Evaluate the level of evidence (e.g., randomized controlled trials, observational studies) and assess the validity and reliability of sources.
  • Cite references properly: Ensure proper citation of sources to maintain academic integrity and transparency.

6. Collaboration:

  • Identify relevant community organizations: Partner with organizations with established trust and expertise in addressing the chosen health issue.
  • Develop collaborative partnerships: Build relationships based on mutual respect, shared goals, and clear communication to maximize impact.
  • Utilize existing community resources: Leverage existing programs, services, and networks to optimize resource allocation and avoid duplication of efforts.

Remember:

  • Focus on a specific and manageable scope: Don't try to tackle everything at once. Choose a well-defined population health issue and intervention strategy.
  • Be culturally sensitive: Consider the diverse backgrounds and needs of the community in all aspects of your plan.
  • Emphasize evidence-based interventions: Ground your plan in current research and best practices to maximize its effectiveness.
  • Engage the community: Build partnerships and actively involve community members in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the health improvement initiative.

By following these steps and incorporating the helpful templates and resources provided, you can develop a compelling and informative presentation that will resonate with your audience and garner support for your population health improvement initiative.

Sample Answer

   

Community Data Evaluation:

  • Identify relevant data sources: Explore local health department reports, CDC and community health organization data, census data, research studies specific to your area, and relevant academic publications.
  • Analyze data trends: Look for patterns and disparities in health outcomes related to your chosen issue (e.g., type 2 diabetes prevalence by age, income, or ethnicity).
  • Visualize data: Use charts, graphs, and maps to present findings clearly and effectively.