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Parish Nurses (parish + nurse)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Parish Nursing: Nurturing Body, Mind, Spirit, and Community

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 2 2003
Ingrid Brudenell R.N., Ph.D.
Abstract Parish nursing is a model of nursing care that focuses on health promotion and disease prevention within a faith community. A descriptive study was conducted in the intermountain West to determine how faith communities form parish nursing programs and what their effect is. Thirteen congregations representing eight denominations with parish nurse/health ministries participated. Parish nurses, parish nurse coordinators from two medical centers, pastors, and hospital chaplains (n = 24) were interviewed and provided documents from their programs. Over time, congregations formed parish nursing/health ministries using strategies in a developmental process. The process involved significant support from the pastor, congregation members, and the parish nurses. Collaboration between faith communities and health organizations were successful using a limited domain approach to attain specific health goals. Parish nursing is making a contribution to integrating faith and health practices, promoting health, and increasing accessibility to health care and congregational activities. Conclusions and recommendations are included for future research, practice, and education. [source]

Perceived Health Needs of Urban African American Church Congregants

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING, Issue 5 2001
Kathleen A. Baldwin Ph.D.
Theory-based assessment of congregant expectations and needs should be conducted prior to beginning a parish nurse program. However, no such assessments are found in the literature. Using Andersen's Health Access Model as a framework, investigators conducted interviews with 117 randomly selected congregants in five urban African American churches to describe their perceived needs and expectations. Causing most concern were the following: (a) symptoms of illness,high blood pressure (50.4%), dental problems (43.6%), and back pain (41%); and (b) health habits/risks,weight (75%), exercise (63%), and diet (63%). Younger adults were significantly more concerned about all aspects of their health than their older counterparts. Women were significantly more likely to express concern about health habits and health risks than males. No significant relationship was found between perceived need and access to care. Although terming health care services "adequate", congregants expressed many unmet health needs. This seemingly contradictory finding may illuminate a concrete role for the parish nurse, i.e., addressing personal health care concerns not alleviated by the current "adequate" health care delivery system. This study's significance lies not only in providing programming guidance, but also in theoretical insights into the role of the parish nurse. [source]

Using Family History to Assess Women's Cancer Risk in a Parish Nurse Setting

NURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 2 2006
Carol Cherry
This health promotion project fulfillled required field study in a graduate public health nursing program. Family history, an important risk factor for many chronic diseases including cancer, is gaining importance as a public health tool. The author used cancer risk assessment expertise to assess women's cancer risk based on family history in two parish settings. Women completed cancer family history using the U.S. Surgeon General's Family Health Portrait. They received pedigree, tailored risk communication and educational materials for cancer prevention/detection. Of 23 women, the majority reported intention to: (i) change behavior to reduce risk; (ii) change screening practice; and (iii) share family history with healthcare providers. One woman at high risk sought formal genetic counseling. Risk information was based on family history only, although multiple factors affect risk. Women's intention to change behavior may not lead to actual change. Population was homogeneous and well educated so results may not be generalizable to other populations. Even though most parish nurses would not have expertise in cancer risk assessment, they can advocate use of the Family Health Portrait. Women respond positively to personalized risk feedback presented in the context of their faith communities. The project facilitated genomic understanding within a public health setting. [source]