Decreased Neisseria gonorrhoeae genotypic diversity following COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland, Australia 2020.

We investigated the potential effects of COVID-19 public health restrictions on the prevalence and distribution of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) genotypes in our Queensland isolate population in the first half of the year 2020. A total of 763 NG isolates were genotyped to examine gonococcal strain distribution and prevalence for the first 6 months of 2020, with 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2020 classified as 'pre' COVID-19 restrictions (n = 463) and 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020 classified as 'post' COVID-19 restrictions (n = 300). Genotypes most prevalent 'pre' restrictions remained proportionally high 'post' restrictions, with some significantly increasing 'post' restrictions. However, genotype diversity was significantly reduced 'post' restrictions. Overall, it seems public health restrictions (9-10 weeks) were not sufficient to affect rates of infection or reduce the prevalence of well-established genotypes in our population, potentially due to reduced access to services or health-seeking behaviours.

Mixed-method analysis of the quad council competencies for public health nurses.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA) of public health nurses (PHNs) related to the eight Domains of the 2011 Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses (QCC-PHN). This manuscript is Part 2 of an exploratory study published in the Public Health Nursing journal on PHNs' knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of the Quad Council Competencies (Harmon et al., 2020). DESIGN: In this mixed-method descriptive research study, the multisite team conducted an online survey among a convenience sample of 296 PHNs to determine differences in KSA for each of the eight QCC-PHN Domains. MEASUREMENTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) testing revealed differences in KSA for the QCC-PHN, Domains. Post-hoc tests and qualitative thematic analysis of PHNs open-ended comments were used to provide additional data. RESULTS: ANOVA results showed significant differences in knowledge and skills in all Domains and a significant difference in attitude in only one domain, Domain 7. Post-hoc test results showed significant differences in KSA between position titles for most Domains. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations include using the QCC-PHN to standardize the professional and diverse roles of the PHN workforce.

An exploratory survey of public health nurses' knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of the Quad Council Competencies.

OBJECTIVE: A collaborative research team of community/public health nursing faculty and public health nurses surveyed public health nurses to explore knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of the Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses (QCC-PHN). METHODS: Evaluate the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of the 2011 QCC-PHN by public health nurses. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used to answer the hypothesis related to the study objective. A convenience sample of 308 public health nurses completed an online survey. MEASUREMENTS: ANOVA was used to determine the difference between the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of community/public health nurses (C/PHNs) regarding the QCC-PHN based on nursing specialty preparation, years of nursing experience, and years of C/PHN experience. RESULTS: C/PHNs are described and differences in knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application are delineated. A statistically significant difference was found in knowledge and attitude based upon years of C/PHN experience. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations are proposed for increasing the QCC-PHN awareness, implementation, and evaluation to effectively enhance the practice of nursing C/PHN.

Using a quality improvement model to enhance community/public health nursing education.

BACKGROUND: Population-focused practice is an essential component of baccalaureate nursing education. The specialty of community/public health nursing (C/PHN) emphasizes prevention and focuses on the multiple determinants of health to improve population health outcomes. This project addressed two problems. How to: (a) Standardize C/PHN education by utilizing a set of competencies, and (b) Evaluate learning outcomes after using the competencies. METHOD: As collaborative team applied community/public health competencies to nursing education using the Omaha System and the four phases of the Quality Improvement Model (QIM) and to enhance C/PHN education. RESULTS: The QIM focused on team-based participation with mutual learning and engagement for both students and faculty. Logical thinking and continuous assessment improves the teaching process and prepares students to work in multiple health care environments. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic quality improvement enhances population-focused care by providing a foundation for the integration of education and practice.

A Concept Analysis of Conceptual Learning: A Guide for Educators.

BACKGROUND: Concept-based curricula, coupled with conceptual approach to teaching, fosters conceptual learning. There is a need for clarity in the definition of conceptual learning. METHOD: Walker and Avant's method of concept analysis was used. RESULTS: Conceptual learning is a process in which learners organize concept-relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes to form logical cognitive connections resulting in assimilation, storage, retrieval, and transfer of concepts to applicable situations, familiar and unfamiliar. Attributes identified were (a) recognizing patterns in information, (b) forming linkages with concepts, (c) acquiring deeper understanding of concepts, (d) developing personal relevance, and (e) applying concepts to other situations. Antecedents were (a) learner cognitive potential, (b) organized conceptual framework, and (c) conceptual approach to teaching. Consequences were (a) enhanced synthesis and analysis, (b) improved problem solving, (c) ability to translate theory to practice, (d) appreciation of linear/nonlinear ways of thinking, and (e) enhanced concept construction. CONCLUSION: This analysis provides a referent for recognizing the occurrence of conceptual learning and developing instruments to measure its outcomes. [J Nurs Educ. 2019;58(1):7-15.].

Community/public health nursing faculty's knowledge, skills and attitudes of the Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses.

A multisite collaborative team of community/public health nursing (C/PHN) faculty surveyed baccalaureate nursing faculty to explore their knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of the Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses (QCC-PHN). OBJECTIVES: (1) Evaluate the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the 2011 QCC-PHN by academic C/PHN faculty; (2) Evaluate the application of 2011 QCC-PHN by C/PHN faculty in the clinical practicum for undergraduate baccalaureate C/PHN students; and (3) Determine if a significant difference existed in the knowledge for each domain. DESIGN: A mixed methods descriptive research design was used to answer three specific hypotheses related to the study objectives. A convenience sample of 143 faculty teaching C/PHN in baccalaureate schools of nursing completed an online survey. MEASUREMENTS: ANOVA was used to determine the difference between knowledge, skills, attitudes, and application of nursing faculty regarding the QCC-PHN based on years of nursing experience, C/PHN experience, and nursing specialty preparation. Participants' qualitative comments for each domain were analyzed for themes. RESULTS: C/PHN nursing faculty are described and differences in knowledge, skills, and attitudes delineated. A statistically significant difference was found in skills based on years of experience in C/PHN and in the application of the competencies based on nursing specialty preparation. Variations in knowledge of the QCC-PHN are identified. CONCLUSIONS: Ten recommendations are proposed for key skill sets and necessary preparation for faculty to effectively teach C/PHN in baccalaureate schools of nursing.

The Global Health Nursing Imperative: Using Competency-Based Analysis to Strengthen Accountability for Population Focused Practice, Education, and Research.

BACKGROUND: The Quad Council Competencies for Public Health Nurses are used to guide community and public health nursing course development in baccalaureate nursing programs. As clinical practice has expanded to global settings, the appropriateness of the 2011 Quad Council Public Health Nursing (PHN) Competencies to guide global clinical practice and evaluation was questioned. OBJECTIVE: To describe a comparison and analysis of three sets of competencies: PHN competencies, competencies for global health nurses, and interprofessional competencies for health professionals. METHOD: A literature review identified the most current guidelines and competencies for global health practice. Two seminal articles, "Global Health Competencies for Nurses in the Americas" and "Identifying Interprofessional Global Health Competencies for 21st-Century Health Professionals," were reviewed and compared with the 2011 Quad Council Public Health Nursing Competencies. A six-member multi-site team conducted a qualitative thematic approach to competency analysis. A four column crosswalk spreadsheet grid was used for comparison of the three sets of competencies. Column four was created to identify possible exemplars for clinical practice. FINDINGS: Gaps exist in the PHN competencies for specific global and interprofessional competencies. RECOMMENDATIONS: Enhanced and consistent emphasis on population/global health, and interprofessional content throughout nursing curricula is necessary to prepare providers for practice in global settings. Incorporation of global and interprofessional competencies should be considered in the revision of competencies for PHN practice to enhance productive contributions to community health outcomes. Consideration of proper placement of content gaps within basic and advanced nursing education as well as leveling for community/public health nursing practice needs to be addressed by nursing education and practice. In the interim, a special course or elective may be appropriate, especially for schools having clinical nursing practicums in international settings. Clinical evaluation in low-resource settings needs to be enhanced and aligned with competencies.

The Preparation of Community/Public Health Nurses: Amplifying the Impact.

In summary, improved population health, population focused care, and community-based networks are the objectives of health care delivery systems. Community/public health nursing education, practice, and research must be re-examined, re-focused, and re-designed to address the challenges of an expanding 21st century health care delivery to populations and communities. Common standards are in place to be utilized by academia, practice and research. With a unified front, C/PHN can collectively play an important transformative role and go forward to meet the ever expanding challenges of the 21st century populations and communities. The Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN) and the Association of Community Health Nurse Educator (ACHNE) have a joint meeting planned in June 2016 in Indianapolis. Please bring your colleagues, stakeholders, and community partners to join the voices of C/PHN to make a positive impact on the changing health care environment through our education, practice and work.

Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6C in Queensland, Australia.

Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6C was first identified in 2007, although retrospective studies have since identified serotype 6C among stored isolates dating back to 1962. We investigated the incidence and genetic diversity of serotype 6C strains isolated from Queensland patients between 2001 and 2011. Isolates were identified by Quellung reaction and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed. The incidence of serotype 6C among serogroup 6 Queensland invasive pneumococcal disease increased from 6.8% (2001-2004) to 39% (2005-2010) of serogroup 6 isolates (P = 0). Genetic diversity of Queensland 6C isolates was high, with molecular analysis identifying 19 sequence types by multi-locus sequence typing, and 35 types by multi-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis.

You can help your clients change.

Nurses are in an excellent position to assist clients to change behaviors that will improve their health. The client is the expert on what to change and which method will work best. Matching your approach to the client's stage of change will motivate the client to move along the continuum of change.

Faculty-agency partnering for improved client outcomes.

Implications for practice and education include recognition of the value of clinical outcome studies to clinicians and administrators in clinical agencies, as well as to nursing education. This project provides an example of the opportunity for mutually beneficial education and practice partnerships. Faculty, staff, and students demonstrated their ability to use the basic model for outcome studies developed by the United Way of America (1996). Teams of staff, faculty, and students were able to design small scale outcome studies that provided valuable information for clinicians and administrators about evaluating and improving the quality of clinical services, as well as for seeking continued funding. It is anticipated that further benefits may be discovered when faculty work with agencies to target program outcomes that will yield the most powerful effect for these agencies.