NUR 703 Assignment 7.2: Mini-Grant Project: Part Three
NUR 703 Assignment 7.2: Mini-Grant Project: Part Three
NUR 703 Assignment 7.2: Mini-Grant Project: Part Three
Introduction
Although there is variation among proposal formats, these are the sections that are commonly found in federal grant applications. Many agencies have specific requirements for length of proposals, either page number or word count limits. For this Mini-Grant Project, the page limitations are noted with each section. It is very important for your writing to be clear, succinct, and comprehensive.
Assignment Guidelines
- Includes Parts One, Two, and Three
- Level of funding requested budget worksheet. Provide details of what the amount requested will be used for and if the amount requested does not cover the total project expenses, please list other funding sources. (1-2 pages).
- Method of evaluation: An evaluation plan that makes explicit how the impact of the project on the participants will be tested. The evaluation should be tied directly to your objectives. (1-2 pages)
- Sustainability plan: A plan for continuing the program after the funding period (1-2 pages)
- Conclusion (final persuasive argument; one paragraph)
Submission
Submit your assignment and review full grading criteria on the Assignment 7.2: Mini-Grant Project: Part Three page.
For this week’s discussion, I examined the article Use of Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Screening. Colorectal cancer remains as the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States for cancers that affect both men and women (National Cancer Institute, 2021). This particular strategy that was implemented to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations, was aimed at increasing screenings for colorectal cancer within the Native American, Hispanic, and African American populations, as well as those living in rural areas. This intervention utilized patient navigators in two settings, Alaska and Washington state to assist with identifying patients that were overdue for colorectal screenings. These patient navigators used methods such as telephone reminders, letters, audiovisual presentations, and other educational materials for those patients that were needed to be screened. At the conclusion of the intervention period, both groups in Alaska and Washington saw an increase in those individuals that were compliant with current recommendations for colorectal screenings (Joseph et al., 2016).
Data that was collected in 2012, displayed that approximately 65% of people were compliant to with colorectal screening with a large proportion of Native Americans, Hispanics, African Americans, and those in rural areas reporting having never been screened (Joseph et al., 2016). That being said, those individuals that have not been screened for colorectal cancer are not only more likely to be missed
NUR 703 Assignment 7.2 Mini-Grant Project Part Three
for a potential diagnosis, but also increase their risk of death from cancer. There are factors to consider when examining this relationship among the vulnerable populations and what puts them at an increased risk for colorectal cancer. The social determinants of health that exist within this vulnerable population include a direct relationship between whether one has been screened or not and educational level attained, annual household income, possession of health insurance, and access to available healthcare (Joseph et al., 2016). Specifically, this intervention program was initiated to target not only those vulnerable populations, but utilize resources to target screening outreach for those individuals living at or below the poverty level. This targeted intervention program was not only in important in increasing colorectal screenings among vulnerable populations, but also to decrease colorectal cancer mortality.
The intervention utilized for colorectal screening was utilized mainly through primary prevention strategies. Primary prevention utilizes health education, vaccination, and other activities that aim at promoting and protecting the health of an individual or community (Savage & Groves, 2020). Specifically, the patient navigators in both Alaska and Washington, implemented means within the electronic health record to target those individuals that are not compliant with their colorectal screening. From there, the staff would send out phone call reminders and letters, as well as provide education about the importance and significance of colorectal cancer screenings. Additionally, the patient navigators also identified and worked to overcome any obstacles like transportation in order to increase compliance within the vulnerable populations. Although the actual screening process for colorectal cancer is a secondary prevention strategy that is aimed at detecting or preventing disease, the inherent process of informing people is a primary process. Primary prevention aims to not only promote and protect health of a population, but also to reduce the incidence of disease (Savage & Grove, 2020).
Although I appreciated the effort that was undertaken in increasing colorectal cancer screening compliance within vulnerable population, I feel that there are are always additional steps that could be taken to improve the intervention strategy. Utilizing these same primary prevention strategies, the researchers discussed all of the health disparities that ranged from access to healthcare, transportation, education level, and household income. If I was beginning to undertake this intervention strategy, I would have additionally utilized the patient navigators to communicate with community leaders and figures within these vulnerable populations to gain a pulse on those individualized groups. Specifically for the Native American population in Alaska, as a clinician, I would be interested in knowing if there any cultural factors for this population that was preventing compliance with colorectal cancer screening. Additionally, having these conversations would gain a sense of what educational and health promotion strategies would be most effective. Also, these community leaders would be able to provide useful insight about how to implement and continue the health promotion strategy. I think that it is important to utilize the knowledge of any community before moving forward to implement any form of intervention within a specific population. In order to promote change for health improvement, the knowledge of a particular community can guide for a successful health intervention strategy.
References
Joseph, D. A., Redwood, D., DeGroff, A., Butler, E., L. (2016). Use of evidence-based interventions to address disparities in colorectal cancer screening
(Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Supplement Volume 65, Number 1). Center for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc. (Links to an external site.)gov/mmwr/
volumes/65/su/pdfs/su6501.pdf
National Cancer Institute (2021, April 22). Common cancer types. Cancer Types.https://www.cancer.gov/types/common-cancers
Savage, C. & Groves, S. (2020). Optimizing population health. In C. Savage (Ed.), Public/community public health and nursing practice (2nd ed., 23-54).
Week 7: Mental Health and Substance Use
This week you will understand how mental health and substance abuse are interconnected, which will help you to identify vulnerable and at-risk individuals. Prevention of mental health and substance abuse disorders and promotion of interventions to build healthy communities through policies and programs are key components to optimize public health.
You will be developing a Public Service Announcement poster to promote education of mental health or substance abuse. Keep it simple with a powerful message. Also, the third part of your mini-grant project is due at the end of the week, so be sure to review the provided presentation to better understand the details of what is required. I look forward to reading your final proposals.
Introduction
Mental health and substance abuse are interconnected, therefore, identifying vulnerable and at-risk individuals and populations through screening tools and implementation of effective health promotion strategies can help optimize public health.