Women's perceptions of the impact of a domestic violence treatment program for male perpetrators.

This qualitative descriptive study examined women's perceptions of a court mandated batterer treatment program that their spouse or partner participated in following arrest for domestic violence. Although the women felt treatment had a positive impact on several factors, their feedback helped identify possible improvements in batterer treatment programs.

Students' perceptions of the interprofessional team in practice through the application of servant leadership principles.

This study examined students' perceptions of interprofessional practice within a framework of servant leadership principles, applied in the care of rural older adults utilizing a service learning model. Mobile wellness services were provided through the Idaho State University Senior Health Mobile project in a collaborative team approach in the community-based setting. Students from varied health professional programs were placed in teams for the provision of wellness care, with communication among team members facilitated by a health professions faculty member serving as field coordinator. The Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) was used to measure students' perceptions of interprofessional practice using a pretest post-test research design. Multivariate analysis was performed revealing a significant pretest to post-test effect on students' perceptions as measured by factors inherent in the IEPS and deemed essential to effective interprofessional practice. Univariate analysis revealed a significant change in students' perception of professional competence and autonomy, actual cooperation and resource sharing within and across professions, and an understanding of the value and contributions of other professionals from pretest to post-test.

Nonvitamin, nonmineral supplement use and beliefs about safety and efficacy among rural older adults in southeast and south central Idaho.

This study examined the use of herbal, botanical, and nonherbal dietary supplements (referred to as nonvitamin, nonmineral [NVNM] supplements) among rural older adults residing in southeast and south central Idaho, and explored perceptions of the safety and efficacy of these supplements. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 365 rural older adults participating in a congregate meals program at a local senior center using a written questionnaire developed for the study. Of the 365 study participants, 39.5% reported using NVNM supplements in the past 12 months. The majority of the participants felt that the NVNM supplements they used were effective, and few reported adverse effects. The majority of the participants felt that NVNM supplements were safe; however, safety concerns were expressed specifically in terms of concurrent use with prescription medication.

Facilitating interdisciplinary practice through mobile service provision to the rural older adult.

Reaching the older adult in the rural communities in which they reside is desirable in an effort to support aging in place. The Idaho State University (ISU) Senior HealthMobile is an innovative, interdisciplinary rural health outreach effort designed to meet the needs of the older adult and support healthy aging. Health and wellness support services are provided through mobile interdisciplinary teams involving students and faculty in nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and dietetics, among other disciplines. Students and supervising faculty provide services in the ISU Senior HealthMobile, in the rural senior centers, and in the home, providing a unique opportunity to be a part of the life of the older adult in the rural community setting. Partnerships and collaborative linkages within the community setting support the enhancement of existing services in collaboration with the ISU Senior HealthMobile.

Changes in students' perceptions of interdisciplinary practice reaching the older adult through mobile service delivery.

This study examined students' perceptions of interdisciplinary health care practice in a facilitated, community-based practicum experience. Students' perceptions of interdisciplinary practice relative to their own profession and other health disciplines were examined before and after involvement in mobile service delivery to the older adult in a collaborative team approach. The Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale was used to collect data before and after planned and facilitated interdisciplinary experiences of students enrolled in health professional programs (nursing, dietetics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, health education, social work, and physician assistant). Univariate repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant pretest to posttest and discipline effects following the interdisciplinary interaction of students in the practicum experience. Univariate analysis revealed a significant change in students' perceptions of professional competence and autonomy, actual cooperation and resource sharing within and across professions, and understanding of the value and contributions of other professionals from pretest to posttest. The findings support the need for educators to facilitate communication through innovative interdisciplinary clinical opportunities for health professions students to influence perceptions that promote active participation in a team approach to care delivery in an increasingly complex health care system.

A community partnership to prepare nursing students to respond to domestic violence.

TOPIC: Partnership building to prepare nursing students to respond to domestic violence through service learning. PURPOSE: To describe an innovative approach to preparing nursing students to respond to domestic violence. SOURCES: Clinical practice and experience, published literature, partner organizations. CONCLUSIONS: This community partnership has prepared nursing students to respond effectively and with compassion to individuals and families experiencing violence. This approach can be replicated through a service learning model to support coordinated community response to domestic violence.