The purpose of this assignment is to complete a direct observational assessment of a community in your area. This windshield survey will help you to identify a vulnerable population, an important community health problem, and a related objective for a community in your area. The following are best practices in preparing this project. Chamberlain College of Nursing values honesty and integrity. All students should be aware of the Academic Integrity policy and follow it in all discussions and assignments.
Title: Direct Observational Assessment of a Community: Identifying a Vulnerable Population and a Community Health Problem
Introduction:
Direct observational assessments are crucial tools for understanding the health needs and challenges faced by communities. By conducting a windshield survey, healthcare professionals can gain valuable insights into the local context, identify vulnerable populations, recognize community health problems, and formulate objectives for targeted interventions. This assignment aims to complete a direct observational assessment of a community, focusing on identifying a vulnerable population, identifying an important community health problem, and developing a related objective.
Methodology:
The windshield survey as a method involves driving or walking around a community while paying careful attention to specific indicators. The key aspects to consider during the survey include the physical environment, social and cultural capital, and the public health resources present in the community. By observing and documenting these aspects, a comprehensive assessment of the community can be made.
Identifying a Vulnerable Population:
During the windshield survey, it is essential to identify and analyze populations who are more susceptible to adverse health outcomes. These vulnerable populations can include individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, ethnic minorities, immigrant populations, and the elderly. Additionally, individuals with disabilities, mental health disorders, or chronic illnesses may also be considered vulnerable. By identifying these populations, healthcare professionals can better understand their specific needs and develop tailored interventions.
Identifying an Important Community Health Problem:
A significant objective of the windshield survey is to assess and document prevalent community health problems. These problems can include infectious diseases, chronic illnesses, substance abuse, mental health disorders, environmental hazards, or social determinants of health. By identifying and understanding these problems, healthcare professionals can work towards addressing the root causes and implementing effective prevention and control measures.
Developing a Related Objective:
Based on the identified vulnerable population and community health problem, the next step is to develop a related objective. This objective should focus on promoting health equity and improving the overall well-being of the community. For example, if the vulnerable population identified is homeless individuals and the community health problem is lack of access to healthcare services, the objective could be to increase access to primary healthcare services for the homeless population through the establishment of mobile clinics or partnerships with local shelters.
Best Practices:
To ensure the quality and validity of the direct observational assessment, adherence to best practices is essential. Firstly, it is crucial to maintain honesty and integrity throughout the process. This includes accurately documenting observations without bias or personal opinion. Secondly, it is important to adhere to the academic integrity policy of Chamberlain College of Nursing, ensuring that all sources are properly credited and that all discussions and assignments are conducted in an ethical manner.
Conclusion:
Conducting a windshield survey as a direct observational assessment of a community enables healthcare professionals to gain a deeper understanding of the health needs and challenges faced by the population. By identifying vulnerable populations and important community health problems, healthcare professionals can formulate objectives and develop targeted interventions to improve community health and promote health equity. Adhering to best practices, such as maintaining honesty and following academic integrity policies, ensures the validity and reliability of the assessment. Through this assignment, students will have the opportunity to apply these principles in practice, contributing to the improvement of their local communities and the promotion of public health.