Sivertsen, N., Parry, Y., Willis, E., Kendall, S., Marriott, R., & Bell, A. (2022). Aboriginal children and family connections to primary health care whilst homeless and in high housing mobility: observations from a Nurse Practitioner-led service. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 23, e16.
Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Nurse/Nurse Practitioner
Intervention Description: The intervention inclues a Nurse Practitioner-led service that provides comprehensive health assessments and care for Aboriginal children and families experiencing homelessness or high housing mobility. The intervention involves the collection of data on attendance levels, referrals to other organizations, demographic information, health service use or needs, and de-identified client information. This aligns with a discernable strategy of providing holistic and individualized care to address the complex health and social needs of vulnerable children and families. The study does not explicitly mention a multicomponent intervention, but it does involve a comprehensive approach to addressing the health and social needs of Aboriginal children and families. The Nurse Practitioner-led service encompasses various components such as health assessments, referrals, and data collection to provide tailored care and support. Therefore, while not explicitly labeled as a multicomponent intervention, the approach described in the study involves multiple interconnected elements to address the complex needs of the target population.
Intervention Results: The study reported several key findings: 1. Health Status: The study found that First Nations children had lower severity levels of health problems compared to non-First Nations children, suggesting stronger extended family support and the positive impact of cultural norms of reciprocity , , . 2. Immunization Rates: Both First Nations and non-First Nations children had low immunization rates, with no First Nations child being immunized and only 9% of non-First Nations children being immunized . 3. Service Utilization: The Nurse Practitioner-led service provided holistic and assertive care for children living in housing insecurity, addressing their health and social needs before they became difficult to resolve. The model led to enhanced access to health care and increased uptake of referrals, resulting in improved health outcomes for homeless/housing insecure children . 4. Comparison of First Nations and non-First Nations Children: The study aimed to compare the health and welfare outcomes of First Nations and non-First Nations children living in housing instability who presented to the Nurse Practitioner-led primary service. The outcomes suggested that First Nations children had better health status than non-First Nations children, partly explained by the strong focus on extended family support and the cultural norm of reciprocity . These results highlight the importance of tailored, culturally sensitive interventions and the need for improved access to health care and immunization for vulnerable Aboriginal children and families experiencing housing instability.
Conclusion: The conclusions drawn from the study are as follows: 1. Importance of Nurse Practitioner-led Intervention: The study emphasizes the importance of Nurse Practitioner-led interventions in homeless services, highlighting the Nurse Practitioner's ability to provide targeted and in-depth health care to complex families and vulnerable populations. Without such interventions, children would remain disconnected from health and well-being services, including education . 2. Need for Further Research: The study underscores the need for further research in the area of childhood outcomes for First Nations children and non-First Nations children living in housing instability. The lack of health service interest and government focus on children living in housing instability is concerning, and more research is required to understand the extent of deficits in service delivery and their ongoing implications for children across their lifespan . 3. Support for Innovative Services: The study supports the need for innovative services that directly support First Nations children and their families to navigate health and social systems. The Nurse Practitioner-led clinic addressed many of the gaps in existing health access for children, leading to improved health outcomes for homeless/housing insecure children who might otherwise miss out on urgent acute care and medical interventions . 4. Recommendations for Future Practice: The study recommends the employment of First Nations staff in the service to enhance cultural safety, as well as the need for sustainability and funding from state health. Additionally, the study suggests the involvement of First Nations researchers and community organizations in future phases to provide room for the voices of First Nations families on the service and the Nurse Practitioner. These conclusions highlight the significance of tailored, culturally safe interventions and the necessity for ongoing research, support, and collaboration to address the health and social needs of vulnerable Aboriginal children and families experiencing housing instability.
Study Design: The study utilized a proof of concept design to assess the effectiveness of a Nurse Practitioner-led service for children living in housing instability, particularly focusing on First Nations and non-First Nations children. The proof of concept study aimed to provide initial evidence of the feasibility and potential outcomes of the Nurse Practitioner-led service within the context of homeless services. The study implemented an innovative model of extended health care delivery by embedding a Nurse Practitioner in a homeless service to work with families, providing health assessments and referrals using clinically validated assessment tools . The study design involved the collection of data on attendance levels, referrals, demographic information, health assessments, and other relevant factors to evaluate the impact of the Nurse Practitioner-led service on the health and well-being of the children and families accessing the service , . The study's design focused on providing comprehensive health assessments and referrals for children living in housing insecurity, with a specific emphasis on comparing the health and welfare outcomes of First Nations and non-First Nations children. The study aimed to address the lack of consultation with First Nations communities in addressing complex issues such as family homelessness and to provide culturally safe community care that leads to increased access and trust in services . Overall, the study design aimed to assess the potential benefits and outcomes of the Nurse Practitioner-led service within the context of homeless services, particularly focusing on the unique needs of First Nations children and families living in housing instability.
Setting: The study was conducted in the Southern suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia, within a homeless service provided by Uniting Care Wesley Bowden (UCWB) organization. The Nurse Practitioner-led service was embedded within the homeless service and provided health assessments, treatment, and referrals for children of families living in housing insecurity . The study's focus on the health and social needs of First Nations children and families suggests that the findings are particularly relevant to those working within Indigenous health and community services in South Australia. However, the study's findings may also have broader implications for healthcare and support services for homeless populations in other regions and countries.
Population of Focus: The target audience for this study includes healthcare professionals, policymakers, and organizations involved in providing healthcare and support services to homeless populations, particularly children and families experiencing housing instability. Additionally, the findings of this study may be of interest to researchers and practitioners working in the fields of public health, social work, and Indigenous health. The study's focus on the health and social needs of First Nations children and families suggests that the findings are particularly relevant to those working within Indigenous health and community services.
Sample Size: The study involved 43 families and their children over a 6-month period, between December 2019 and August 2020. Within this sample, nine of the children were identified as First Nations children . The small sample size of the study should be taken into consideration when interpreting the findings, as it may limit the generalizability of the results.
Age Range: The study did not specify a specific age range for the children accessing the Nurse Practitioner-led service. However, the study reported that the average age of attendees was 7 years old, with the youngest child who attended the service being 7 weeks old and the oldest being 16 years old . The study also reported that most homeless families referred to the Nurse Practitioner-led service had numerous siblings, with only four of the 43 children having no siblings . Overall, the study's findings suggest that the Nurse Practitioner-led service provided health assessments and referrals for a wide range of children, from infants to adolescents, who were experiencing housing instability.
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