Practicum Discussion: This week, your assignment will be to incorporate all of the information you have gathered from the community—including the population itself, health data, interviews/conversations with interested community members, and your community assessment, including your Windshield Survey—as well as what you have gathered from scholarly literature to propose measureable interventions. Measureable interventions mean that the results can be measured through some data that could be collected (Stanhope, 2020). This requires thinking in terms of actions and then measuring results. An evaluation of interventions is important to see whether or not they are effective in solving a health care problem. Remember, you will need to use the data you gathered to determine whether or not a problem exists in your community and to then determine whether your interventions might be effective.
Please discuss the following points in your Practicum Discussion:
- Identify one evidence-based behavior change that would promote health in your selected population.
- Suggest one specific culturally sensitive, evidence-based, measureable intervention to address the health problem for your selected population.
- Think in terms of measuring outcomes. What outcomes would you expect to see once the intervention(s) are in place? Be specific.
Support your response with references from the professional nursing literature.
*** Virginia Department of Health website used for health data for focus on obesity in children and diabetes or just obesity
*** windshield survey included in file attached
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In this practicum discussion, the focus is on incorporating data collected from the community, scholarly literature, and community assessment to propose measurable interventions. The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions in solving a healthcare problem. In this response, I will discuss an evidence-based behavior change, suggest a culturally sensitive, evidence-based, measurable intervention, and identify expected outcomes for the selected population.
1. Identify one evidence-based behavior change that would promote health in your selected population.
One evidence-based behavior change that would promote health in the selected population is increasing physical activity. Sedentary lifestyles have been linked to various chronic health conditions, including obesity and diabetes. Individuals who engage in regular physical activity are likely to maintain a healthy weight, have better cardiovascular health, and experience mental health benefits. Encouraging the population to engage in moderate-intensity activities, such as walking or cycling, for at least 30 minutes a day can greatly improve their overall health.
2. Suggest one specific culturally sensitive, evidence-based, measurable intervention to address the health problem for your selected population.
A culturally sensitive, evidence-based, measurable intervention to address the health problem of physical inactivity in the selected population is to establish community-based walking and cycling groups. This intervention would involve community members coming together to engage in physical activity while connecting socially. The program should be culturally appropriate, with activities that reflect the community’s culture and customs. The program can also incorporate periodic health education and promotion sessions, and health assessment screenings. The interventions would be measured by the number of participants in the program, the frequency and duration of physical activity, and improvement in health outcomes, such as reduced BMI, lower blood pressure, and improved overall fitness.
3. Think in terms of measuring outcomes. What outcomes would you expect to see once the intervention(s) are in place? Be specific.
Once the community-based walking and cycling groups are established, some of the expected outcomes from the interventions would include a reduction in the prevalence of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Other expected outcomes would include increased community involvement and social connectedness, improved mental health, and increased access to health promotion information. The interventions would be considered successful if there is an increase in the number of participants in the program, an increase in the frequency and duration of physical activity, and the improvement of overall health outcomes. Success would also be measured by the continued involvement of community members in the program and the sustainability of the intervention over time.
References:
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2020). Public Health Nursing – E-Book: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community. Elsevier Health Sciences.
