Examination of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health Care Content in North Carolina Schools of Nursing.

BACKGROUND: Nursing students require academic and clinical training in preparation for the increased demand for culturally competent care. One group that is in need of culturally knowledgeable health care providers is lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals. The purpose of this study was to examine how LGBT health care content is integrated into North Carolina schools of nursing curricula and to examine the existence of specific LGBT policies. METHOD: A survey was mailed to 70 deans and directors of RN programs in North Carolina. RESULTS: Over 90% of the schools indicated that LGBT health care issues were taught in the curricula. The majority of the content was taught as an "other" course (37%). More than two thirds of the schools devoted less than 5 hours teaching LGBT content. CONCLUSION: LGBT health care content is being taught, yet the presence of specific LGBT practice policies is basically nonexistent. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(4):223-226.].

The impact of cultural diversity forum on students' openness to diversity.

As the population demographics for the United States (U.S.) shift towards increasing diversity, it is essential that nurses provide culturally competent care. Cultural sensitivity has been identified as a major curricular element in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's (AACN) The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. Thus it is imperative that nursing faculty use effective strategies to help nursing students develop cultural sensitivity and competence. Educational workshops focusing on cultural diversity are usually designed to increase people's cultural sensitivity. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a cultural diversity forum on nursing students' cultural sensitivity as measured by their openness to diversity. A convenience sample of students was recruited from a public university in the southeastern United States. The workshop was designed as a forum that combined a keynote presentation, shared meal, and a small group interactional activity. Cultural sensitivity was measured using the Openness to Diversity/Challenge Scale (ODCS), and was administered to students before and after the forum. A convenience sample of 47 students agreed to participate and completed both the pretest and posttest. Following the workshop, the students had more cultural sensitivity as measured by their scores on the ODCS (Wilcoxin Signed-Rank test z= -3.286, p = 0.001). The findings suggested that an educational format like the cultural diversity forum can promote students' cultural sensitivity. Further research needs to continue to focus on the effectiveness of strategies to increase the cultural sensitivity of baccalaureate nursing students.

The health of female child care providers: implications for quality of care.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the health behaviors and perceived health status of child care providers. Health behaviors and health status were also examined in relation to caring for children and the providers' perceptions of quality child care. A researcher-developed questionnaire, adapted from Williams, Mason, and Wold (2001), was mailed to a random sample of 1,000 child care providers employed in 49 child care centers in Georgia. Results indicated that, overall, the sample was a healthy population with 86.8% rating their health as good to excellent. Seventy-three percent (73%) received a physical exam annually, and 70% reported having health insurance. Despite these ratings, participants reported that they were overweight, were emotionally strained, and did not engage in physical exercise at least 3 times per week. Although most performed breast self-exams, the majority did not fully understand breast health practices. Furthermore, the majority of the child care providers (78.7%) believed that their health does not impact the care that they provide to children. Last, their definitions of quality of care for children suggested a minimal standard of care or less. These findings provide information that can be useful in designing occupational health programs within community child care settings and in promoting healthy behaviors in women.

Uncovering homeless African-American women's knowledge of breast cancer and their use of breast cancer screening services.

This study explored the knowledge of breast cancer and the use of breast cancer screening services by homeless African-American women in an attempt to understand their use of cancer screening services and whether they understood the information about breast cancer and breast cancer screening. A qualitative study using a focus group format was employed to obtain a deeper understanding of the participants' experiences as they related to knowledge of breast cancer and their use of breast cancer screening services. The sample consisted of 25 (N = 25) African-American women who were currently living in a transient shelter for homeless women and children. Three, one-hour focus group sessions were conducted over a three-week period. Sessions were audio taped and transcribed for analysis. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings from the study revealed categories that were associated with the women's personal experiences with cancer, their knowledge of breast cancer and experiences with the use of screening services, and their motivations as they related to breast cancer screenings. These categories can be useful in providing access to care and in addressing cancer education, screening behaviors, and program planning in homeless African-American women.

Rural African American women's descriptions of mammogram quality.

The voices of rural women are frequently absent in discussions of quality healthcare. This study utilized a phenomenological research design to examine rural African American women's descriptions of mammogram quality. Twenty-three women in rural Georgia communities were interviewed. Participants desired quality mammogram experiences in which they were treated with kindness and respect, were given explanations of the mammogram procedure and outcome, and were cared for by health professionals who were competent in their roles.

Comprehensive health care for women in Georgia.

In summary, comprehensive health care for women begins first with a paradigm shift that acknowledges women's health is more than reproductive health. Second, it requires viewing women's health issues from an across the lifespan perspective. This perspective includes addressing women's health beginning with the formative years, through reproductive health and sexuality to the frail elderly. The OWH has launched a statewide effort, with input from the leadership of Georgia, including an eleven-member advisory council attached to the office to develop a comprehensive women's health plan. The OWH will partner with public and private organizations, academic institutions and other government agencies to devise a course of action that addresses the health needs of all women, of all ages, including racial and ethnic backgrounds, and socioeconomic and education levels. This plan will serve as a guide for those organizations whose interest is meeting Healthy People 2010 broad objective of increasing the quality and years of healthy life for women.

Disparities in health and health care: focusing efforts to eliminate unequal burdens.

Disparities in health and health care have been around for more than two centuries. Evidence suggests that health disparities in ethnic and racial minorities continue to be problematic, with little progress made to eliminate them over time. Ethnic and racial disparities exist for multiple and complex reasons. However, new solutions are needed to resolve some of these old problems. Framing the debate and discussion around the distinctiveness related to disparities in health and health care is a necessary beginning in eliminating unequal burdens in health status. Focusing efforts to eliminate unequal burdens can strengthen existing solutions and policy formation related to this issue. This article defines disparities in health and health care, describes current health disparities impacting ethnic/racial groups, reviews historical factors associated with existing disparities in ethnic/racial groups, and concludes with challenges and solutions to alleviate these disparities.

Storytelling as a method to teach African American women breast health information.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the use of storytelling as a method to teach breast health information to older African American women. METHODS: A qualitative design utilizing the focus-group method. RESULTS: Six story types (categories) emerged from the focus-group data and were integrated into the breast health education class. Categories were: 1) loss, 2) pain, 3) suffering, 4) fear and worry/stress, 5) death, and 6) faith in God and prayer. Three major outcomes resulted from the storytelling format: 1) peer teaching enhanced learning, 2) incorrect information was identified and clarified, and 3) personal experiences were validated. CONCLUSIONS: Integration of African American women's self-identified issues and concerns with breast health messages through storytelling resulted in a meaningful teaching-learning experience.