Paper: Use of Internet Technology in Community Assessment and Intervention Projects to Provide Evidence-Based Practice to High Risk Populations (19th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice)

Friday, 11 July 2008: 10:40 AM

Kathleen A. Sternas, PhD, RN , College of Nursing, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Mary Ann Scharf, EdD , College of Nursing, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ

Learning Objective 1: Describe ways Internet technology can be used in community assessment and intervention projects to provide evidence-based practice to high risk populations.

Learning Objective 2: Describe interventions which use Internet technology that have demonstrated positive outcomes for high risk populations, students,and community partners collaborating to meet community health needs.

Objectives: Internet technology is a valued strategy for learning. Collaboration between universities and community-based agencies is necessary to address high rates of asthma, homelessness, violence, heart disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS,obesity and other health problems in high risk populations. This presentation describes:community assessment and intervention projects that use Internet technology and partnerships to provide evidence-based practice to high risk populations; interventions that have demonstrated positive outcomes for high risk populations, agency partners and students. Design: Descriptive research. Methods:Traditional(n=169)and second degree(n=162) community health nursing students and 98 agency partners collaborated to assess needs of high risk populations, plan, implement and evaluate interventions that address needs. Needs included:nutrition/obesity; prenatal care/breastfeeding; asthma; immunizations; lead poisoning; hygiene; chronic/communicable diseases. Students and partners completed outcome evaluations. Findings:Students used the Internet for:identifying community problems;community assessment; research on evidence-based interventions to meet needs. Internet technology was used to create brochures/posters/health games. Interventions included:asthma triggers computer program; magnetized medication card; baby's development diary; healthy foods gameboard; booklet on infestations; health information binder for Aids Museum Project. Internet resources were used to create: healthcare services pamphlet; mental illness resource book; STD brochure which increased clinic attendance; educational materials to promote healthy eating/reduce obesity, breast feeding,hygiene,immunizations,self-empowerment. Students(100%) agreed experiences increased competence in assessment/planning community interventions. Traditional(93.8%) and accelerated(100%) students reported improved Internet abilities. Students reported expertise in caring for high-risk populations; evidence of intervention effectiveness. Agency partners reported interventions decreased community health problems/promoted health/prevented disease. Partners(100%) agreed assessments/interventions met community needs. Outcomes included new health programs/increased educational resources. Conclusions:Community assessment and intervention projects that use Internet technology help meet health needs of high risk populations, result in positive outcomes for community members/agency partners/ students. Implications include educating nurses/students about ways to use Internet technology to assess community problems, identify/develop interventions which improve evidenced-based practice with high risk populations.

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