66. The Health Empowerment Learning Partnership (HELP) Model: undergraduate nursing students working with families of children with disabilities to improve their health (350)

Linda Goddard, Associate Head, School of Nursing & Midwifery, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Indigenous Health, Charles Sturt University, Albury, Australia
Co authors: Sandra Mackey & Patricia Davidson
lgoddard@csu.edu.au

Abstract:

This poster will present the HELP model, an innovative approach to health promotion that involves a partnership between families, undergraduate nursing students and lecturers in nursing. Background: The effect of caring for a child with a disability over extended periods of time may result in anxiety, stress and pain (Barnes 2006). Families with more than one child are known to report higher stress and emotional strain Delve et al., 2006).

Aims:

To identify the key elements required to develop and implement a partnership, health mentoring model for families with children who have disabilities and to identify the impact on the families and nurse partners.

Methods:

Action research is utilised in the area of health promotion to develop complex community interventions involving ‘ordinary people’ who identify not only their health needs but more importantly their rights, and issues around care, coping and cure (Oliver and Peersman 2001, p.169). The cycles of action research have been used to plan, assess, act and reflect on this project and to generate change.

Purposive sampling attracted participants: 30 nursing students, 20 families and two lecturers over three years.

Results:

A partnership approach resulted in: identification of health issues; family strengths; health goals; the development of resources for each family. Evaluation indicated increased coping and wellness in families and enhanced skills and confidence in students working with families.

Discussion:

The Health Empowerment Learning Partnership Model is an approach that empowers families, nursing students and their lecturers in a mutually beneficial manner. It has the capacity to build community capacity and empower families of children with disabilities through education and access to resources.

Conclusions:

This model has been developed and expanded over a three year period and has the capacity to not only expand across other universities but also to other vulnerable family groups within the community.

Biography:

Linda Goddard Linda is an Associate Head of the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Charles Sturt University in Albury a small town in rural New South Wales Australia. The nursing program is considered comprehensive in that it integrates the areas of general, psychiatric and learning disability nursing into a three year under-graduate nursing program. Linda has a strong background in the fields of learning disability and mental health nursing which began in Norwich England and then she moved across to Australia where she completed a Master of Education (Special Education). Linda should hopefully have completed her PhD using an action research framework to facilitate a health mentorship model involving student nurses with families of children with a disability. Her particular research interests concern the physical and mental health care needs of people with learning disability and their families.