title: Strengthening PNP curricula in mental/behavioral health and evidence-based practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of mental health/behavioral and developmental problems in children and teens is escalating. However, many primary care providers report inadequate skills to accurately screen, identify, and manage these problems using an evidence-based approach to care. Additionally, educational programs that prepare pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) have been slow to incorporate this content into their curriculums.
  
  
  METHODS
  The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a strengthened curriculum in 20 PNP programs from across the United States that focused on: (a) health promotion strategies for optimal mental/behavioral health and developmental outcomes in children, and (b) screening and evidence-based interventions for these problems. An outcomes evaluation was conducted with faculty and graduating students from the participating programs along with faculty and students from 13 PNP programs who did not participate in the project.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participating schools varied in the speed at which components of the strengthened curriculum were incorporated into their programs. Over the course of the project, faculty from participating programs increased their own knowledge in the targeted areas and reported that their students were better prepared to assess and manage these problems using an evidence-based approach. Although reports of screening for certain problems were higher in the graduating students from the participating schools than the non-participating schools, the overall use of screening tools by students in clinical practice was low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for educational programs to strengthen their curricula and clinical experiences to prepare students to screen for, accurately identify, prevent, and provide early evidence-based interventions for children and teens with mental health/behavioral and developmental problems. This project can serve as a national model for curriculum change.
authors.affiliation: Arizona State University College of Nursing & Healthcare Innovation, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Bernadette Mazurek
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Melnyk
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hawkins-Walsh
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beauchesne
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crowley
authors.forename: Myunghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Greenburg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum; D004522:Educational Status; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008603:Mental Health; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011594:Psychometrics; D055815:Young Adult