Testing Public Health Nursing Interventions with Vulnerable Populations: An Analysis of Methodological Issues
This paper presents the methodological issues that have emerged in a nursing intervention project designed to improve health outcomes among homeless women. This pilot study of a social support intervention aims to: a) improve homeless women's general health; b) decrease their emergency room use; and c) increase their health maintenance behaviors. In this paper, we present a number of methodological concerns and the strategies we have found helpful in dealing with them. These concerns and strategies have involved: a) assuring privacy and obtaining a certificate of confidentiality from the National Institute of Mental Health; b) establishing and maintaining relationships with staff at our research site; c) complying with state statutes that require mandatory reporting of abuse as well as harm to self and others; d) adjusting the level of the intervention; and e) managing participant attrition. Addressing these methodological issues and developing the strategies to deal with them have been critical for testing our intervention. In addition, they have relevance for designing future public health nursing research with other vulnerable populations.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. List five methodological issues that can emerge in a study with a vulnerable population. 2. Discuss strategies for addressing these methodological issues. 3. Discuss the applicability of these strategies to research with other vulnerable populations.
Keywords: Vulnerable Populations, Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.