Needs Assessment
The assignments in this course are interrelated and based on a practicum experience. The assignments culminate in a final presentation submitted during week 10. As a nurse, you understand the challenges facing under-served populations. For this practicum assignment, you will identify a vulnerable, at-risk population in your community. You will examine the challenges currently facing members of this group and the resources available to assist them. You will gather information from a variety of sources and interview a professional who is involved in the provision of services to this group. A vulnerable or at-risk population can be defined as a population with a common identified risk factor or risk exposure presenting a threat to health. Examples of at-risk populations include, but are not limited to the following:
- Urban or rural individuals and families living at or below the poverty line
- Immigrants and non-English-speaking individuals
- Stigmatized or marginalized groups
- Undocumented workers
- Incarcerated individuals
- The homeless
- The mentally ill
This five-part assignment is submitted in weeks 3, 5, 8, and 10. Please refer to the Practicum Assignment link on the navigation pane for an explanation of all steps. Please read it in its entirety before starting.
You will work on this assignment over weeks 1-3. It is submitted at the end of week 3. In this assignment, you will:
- Identify your vulnerable, at-risk population of interest.
- Complete a needs assessment, analyzing data available through scholarly references that is specific to the identified population. At least 3 references should be used to complete the needs assessment
- Present your needs assessment data by filling out the attached worksheet below. Fill out the chart and answer the questions listed on the worksheet. Attach a reference page to the worksheet to list your references utilized in step 2.
Week 3: Needs Assessment
Provide an overview of the at-risk group you are investigating and its presence in your community. Provide any available demographic data.
Why are you interested in studying this group?
Complete the following chart. Be as specific to your community (city or county) as possible. Common sources of data include: US Census data, Chamber of Commerce, community libraries, social service agencies, US Department of Labor, the Department of Public Health and Department of Education.
|
Needs Assessment |
Assessment Data for the At-risk Group |
|
Environment/Living Arrangements |
|
|
Access to Transportation |
|
|
Cultural/language barriers |
|
|
Public perception of the group |
|
|
Common health risks |
|
|
Access to health and social services |
Based on the information you gathered and what you find in the literature, address the following questions:
1. What are the primary health concerns for this group?
2. How does the care provided to this population differ from the care provided to other populations?
3. Explain how health inequalities impact healthcare access and delivery for this group.
4. What impact does this under-served population have on the healthcare delivery systems in your area?
5. How might this affect nursing practice?
Week 3: Needs Assessment
Provide an overview of the at
–
risk group you are investigating and its presence in your community.
Provide any available demographic data.
Why are you interested in studying this group?
Complete the following chart.
Be as specific
to your community
(city or county)
as possible.
Common
sources of data include: US Census data, Chamber of Commerce, community libraries, social service
agencies, US Department of Labor,
the
Department of Public Health and Department of Ed
ucation
.
Needs Assessment
Assessment
D
ata
for
the
A
t
–
risk
G
roup
Environment/Living
Arrangements
Access to
Transportation
Financial
considerations
Cultural/language
barriers
Public perception of
the group
Common health
risks
Access to
health and
social services
Based on the
information
you gathered
and what you find in the
literature, address the following
questions:
1.
What are the primary health concerns for this group?
2.
How does the care provided to this population differ from the car
e provided to other
populations?
3.
Explain how health inequalities impact healthcare access and delivery for this group.
4.
What impact does this under
–
served population have on
the
healthcare delivery
systems in your
area
?
5.
How
might
this
affect
nursing practice?
Week 3: Needs Assessment
Provide an overview of the at-risk group you are investigating and its presence in your community.
Provide any available demographic data.
Why are you interested in studying this group?
Complete the following chart. Be as specific to your community (city or county) as possible. Common
sources of data include: US Census data, Chamber of Commerce, community libraries, social service
agencies, US Department of Labor, the Department of Public Health and Department of Education.
Needs Assessment Assessment Data for the At-risk Group
Environment/Living
Arrangements
Access to
Transportation
Financial
considerations
Cultural/language
barriers
Public perception of
the group
Common health
risks
Access to health and
social services
Based on the information you gathered and what you find in the literature, address the following
questions:
1. What are the primary health concerns for this group?
2. How does the care provided to this population differ from the care provided to other
populations?
3. Explain how health inequalities impact healthcare access and delivery for this group.
4. What impact does this under-served population have on the healthcare delivery systems in your
area?
5. How might this affect nursing practice?