Innovations in Global Nursing: From Clinical Care to Capacity Building

BACKGROUND: Much research focuses on the effects of “service learning” on nursing students who provide health care and develop expertise in limited-resource settings but much less research focuses on benefits to... [ view full abstract ]

BACKGROUND: Much research focuses on the effects of “service learning” on nursing students who provide health care and develop expertise in limited-resource settings but much less research focuses on benefits to communities. This presentation demonstrates measurable, effective, and sustainable methods of addressing an impoverished rural community’s health needs.

For two years the author’s university collaborated with a large alumni group to provide clinical care in a rural Nicaraguan community. Chart review revealed most complaints could have been competently managed by the local government health post’s nurse or physician. Based on this finding and surveys after the week’s activities, it became important to implement a more empowering means to improve and sustain community health.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
Aims:
• Determination of health needs of community
• Development of capacity-building approaches to meet needs
Objectives:
• Determination of needs of community groups (health post team, women, men, adolescents, teachers)
• Development of activities to meet needs
• Evaluation of approach and knowledge gained

DESCRIPTION AND INNOVATION:
Faculty conducted pre-trip focus groups in the community. Each group requested educational activities. Nursing students developed interactive programs. US faculty engaged nursing students from a Nicaraguan university. Both groups presented activities together. This assured culturally -appropriate content and delivery and developed cross-cultural rapport. Attendance was high at each session with no requests for direct clinical care.

IMPACT of INNOVATION:
Follow-up surveys after each session were overwhelmingly positive. Respondents identified what skills they had learned and their future learning objectives. Health post team was very supportive and suggested future topics. Students from schools of nursing were interested in continued collaborative work.

CONCLUSIONS and IMPLICATIONS:
Capacity building through education is empowering and longer-lasting than brief clinical care. The enhancement of skills can improve public health. This model supports the role of local health providers. The integration of local students increased cultural competence. This model responds to the expressed needs of communities.