title: The intervention of outreach: best practices.
abstract: Public health nurses (PHNs) use the intervention of outreach to improve health status by locating "at-risk" or "of interest" populations, providing information about health concerns and linking the population to resources to address the health concerns. The purpose of this study was to analyze PHNs' use of the intervention of outreach. Knowledge about best practices can contribute to the ability to successfully implement outreach activities. The descriptive qualitative study involved interviewing 10 Minnesota PHNs. Findings suggest strategies to increase outreach effectiveness. Recommendations include providing education on population-based concepts, such as community assessment and at-risk populations, and using interventions from the Public Health Intervention Wheel in conjunction with outreach.
authors.affiliation: Government Center, Anoka, MN 55303-2264, USA. cindy.tembreull@co.anoka.mn.us
authors.forename: Cindy L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Tembreull
authors.forename: Marjorie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schaffer
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration*; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations / Q000592:standards; D006040:Goals; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008910:Minnesota; D016294:Models, Nursing; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009736:Nursing Process; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D011637:Public Health Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D013597:Systems Analysis; D035862:Vulnerable Populations