Church-based Health Education: Topics of Interest

Seventy-seven percent of American adults identify with a specific church affiliation (Pew Research Center, 2015). This offers support for the development of health ministry programs in church settings as a venue to offer a variety of health services in a convenient, comfortable location in the community. When thinking of implementing a health ministry program including health education and other services, it is important to spend time on planning and getting input from others. This article describes a descriptive correlational research study conducted to examine interest of church members in regards to the implementation of a health ministry program. Findings indicate a positive reaction to the implementation of a health ministry program in a church setting. Additionally, results support an interest in a variety of health promotion topics

Serving as a Peer Reviewer: Rewards and Challenges

The practice of peer review is essential to ensure academic quality of articles published in professional journals. Nurses with expertise in evidence-based best practices are often well-qualified to serve as peer reviewers. Peer reviewers play an integral role in the peer review process to disseminate quality information. The peer-reviewed International Journal of Faith Community Nurses is the official journal of Faith Community Nurses International. Individuals interested in faith community nursing can aide in advancing this specialty of nursing practice by serving as a peer reviewer. The purpose of this article is to explore the peer review process, and to identify rewards and challenges of serving as a peer reviewer

Critiquing Quantitative Research Reports: Key Points for the Beginner

Nursing research has a long history, beginning with the first nursing researcher--Florence Nightingale. As research continues to evolve, the dissemination of findings is important. Nurses must have have an understanding of how to critically read and appraise research articles in order to assess the value of the findings

Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes toward Implementation of Electronic Medical Records

With the growth of Faith Community Nursing (FCN), one topic that needs further exploration is documentation. This includes the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). Nurses play a vital role in the planning and implementation of EMRs in the acute care setting and will also play a key role in Faith Community Nursing Programs that stand alone or partner with a health care agency. Individual computer expertise and/or attitude and knowledge of EMRs could be important in the successful implementation. Researchers utilized a modified version of the EMR questionnaire designed by Beiter and colleagues to examine nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding EMRs. Findings indicated as age increased, the level of experience regarding EMRs decreased. No difference was noted between the computer skills of RNs with an ADN and RNs with a BSN degree, but LPNs rated themselves as having higher computer skills than RNs. No statistical significance was noted regarding thoughts on saving time and reducing cost and other variables. Licensed practical nurses, more than RNs, indicated believing that EMRs have a positive effect on nurse-patient relationships. As implementation of EMRs occurs, plans for more training might be needed for certain groups of employees

The Accuracy of Referral for Portable Lipid Analyzers in an Old Order Mennonite Population

The primary purposes of this study were to: 1) examine the accuracy for referral of two portable lipid analyzers (PLAs) in an old order Mennonite population through a comparison to a national standardized reference laboratory, 2) examine the relationship of total cholesterol values with other known cardiovascular risk factors, and 3) foster the continued participatory model of health care service in this community. The self-selected sample was composed of 42 adult members of an old order Mennonite community residing in south central Kentucky. A descriptive correlational design was used in this study. There were clinically relevant variations in the total cholesterol and LDL-C in both of the analyzers. Additionally, there was a correlation between total cholesterol values and age. The study also facilitated the participatory model used with this community previously as the community members assisted in planning, implementing, and evaluating this project

Flu and Pneumonia Coverage of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender Individuals

Abstract Background: Population health is important in examining health outcomes of specific groups. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is a vulnerable population continuing to endure health disparities. Purpose: The purpose of this part of a larger study was to examine the self-reported flu/pneumonia coverage in individuals self-identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender Methodology: A purposeful sample and select items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey were utilized. Findings: Findings included almost half of respondents indicating obtaining a flu shot or vaccine and approximately one-fourth of the respondents reported receiving a pneumonia shot/vaccine. Recommendations: Ongoing education and awareness regarding specific perspectives of this vulnerable population to support culturally sensitive care to everyone is important