First Advisor

Berg, Barbara

Second Advisor

Claywell, Lora

College

Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

School

Loretto Heights School of Nursing

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

117 pages

Abstract

In the United States (U.S.), immigrants are among the fastest growing populations of all communities. Today, they comprise approximately 11% of the total U.S. population. Forty-three percent of immigrants are without insurance. They are also associated with higher numbers of untreated medical conditions, fewer interactions with the health care system, and receiving health care through emergency departments (ER). The consequences of these practices include increases in health care costs, changes from preventive care to emergency treatment, delays in identifying illnesses until later, and higher disease prevalence. Case managers are frequently faced with immigrants' concerns regarding access to care and prevention of illness in the community. They respond by implementing community programs. The process involves evaluating the effectiveness of the program. At the Immigration Outreach Service Center (IOSC), a study was completed to evaluate the effects of a case management program to a group of immigrants. Findings will help establish a program that improves immigrant's health status, and increases access to health care services. During a three month period, a health clinic provided health education on disease prevention, access to health care services, and evaluated health services provided to meet immigrants' needs. A systematic assessment and literature review of immigrants in the U.S. gathered information and identified the community's health needs. Project sponsors, stakeholders, resources, funding sources, goals, objectives, mission, vision statements, and outcomes were identified. The logic model and The Public Health Nursing Practice Model served as a guide to accomplish the outcomes. To ensure patient's protection, the IRB process was completed and approved. Data from 72 adult immigrants ages 18 and above were collected from visit records, self report scales, health history questionnaires, and surveys. A quantitative, comparison group, post-test design analyzed measure of health care access and health status. Descriptive analyses of averages and percentages characterized the study participants. Clients' well-being was measured through The Ryff and Reyes Scale of Psychological Well-Being (RPWB). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software organized, searched, and retrieved the collected data. The variables, subjects' self reports of reduced number of visits to the ER, improved functional status, quality of life, knowledge of disease, clients' demographics, age, ethnicity, cultural beliefs, health status, barriers to access to care, number of services, referrals, length of time in the program, use of health care facilities, resources, and the RPWB were measured.

Date of Award

Summer 2012

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

Download

Share

COinS