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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to discuss how knowledge of adult learning theory can be used to improve a community outreach program.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to explain how to implement the best available evidence when designing a community outreach program.
Purpose:
The officers of the Sigma Theta Tau, Mu Omega Chapter, take their mission and work seriously. They seek to provide leadership that will make a genuine difference in the community. The officers and members of Mu Omega designed and implemented a free, community outreach program called, “The Smart Patient”, which took place on April 4, 2012 at Purdue University Calumet (PUC). The purpose of the program was to provide an opportunity for the public to become aware of resources that are available and to become ‘smart patients’.
Background:
The Institute of Medicine’s report Future of Nursing in 2011, calls upon nurses to lead the healthcare change. Members of Mu Omega understand that there is no time like the present to provide the public with evidence-based healthcare guided by Adult Learning Theory.
Description of the Project:
Attendees obtained helpful information about managing medications, preventing infections, cancer care, wound care, hospice, veteran’s affairs, organ donation, heart attacks, strokes and more. Health care specialists representing various areas of expertise were present to answer questions. In addition to providing evidence-based healthcare information, attendees were able to take advantage of blood sugar and blood pressure screenings, as well as obtain wellness-related insight about diet and exercise.
Outcome:
Our goal was to increase the public’s knowledge of evidence-based healthcare with a personal touch. Research findings indicate that innovative educational programs tailored to the learning needs of the public contribute to better informed decision-making.
Conclusions:
The end of program evaluations completed by the attendees demonstrated that the “Smart Patient’ program was well received and that information presented was useful. Although this program was small and thus generalizations are not possible, it contains compelling information that speaks to how important evidence based healthcare information is to the public.