The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54788

Stacey Jo White, RN, MSN, Department of Health/Public Health Nursing Program, St. Louis County, 4580 South Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63127, 314-842-1300, stacey_white@stlouisco.com

Abstract for Student Poster Session:

This evaluation project was completed as a Master's project in my MSN in Public Health Nursing program at the University of Missouri-Sinclair School of Nursing, Columbia, MO in 2002 with degree earned in Dec. of 2002.

This evaluation project was one component of a program evaluation completed for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service (DHSS), Maternal Child and Family Health (MCFH) Division’s Prenatal Case Management Program (PCMP). The purpose of this evaluation was to determine the impact of case management services on the PCMP client’s health and well-being, and to determine what specific interventions facilitated this outcome. Face to face interviews were conducted with prenatal clients who were case managed by public health nurses (PHN) in an urban Local Public Health Agency (LPHA). Both Strauss & Corbin’s and Miles & Huberman’s approach to data analysis were used in this evaluation project. Personal support emerged as the predominant concept that applied to all of the interventions received and/or desired by the clients. Themes that emerged under this broad concept included 1) a personal relationship with the nurse, 2) reassurance, 3) health education, 4) motivation/encouragement, 5) inclusion of significant others, 6) the opportunity to talk and 7) kindness/caring. Additional findings included: the desired characteristics of the public health nurse case manager, reports of personal experiences/attitudes contrasting prenatal home visits to prenatal clinic visits, and cultural implications for case management.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session the participant in this session will be able to:
• 3. List the top five public health nursing interventions that clients desire during prenatal case management program participation.
  7. Discuss the impact of prenatal case management services on the health and well-being of the client and their families from the client's perspective.
  11. Articulate examples of personal support interventions provided by public health nurses during prenatal case management home visits.

Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Prenatal Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment