Describe Your Practicum Setting, Including Its Size, The Sit

Describe your practicum setting, including its size, the services offered, the population served

Describe your practicum setting, including its size, the services offered, the population served (individuals or aggregates), its disease focus, high-risk aspects, cultural and ethnic makeup, and the geographic setting. Include the job description and role of your preceptor. Identify several problems within the agency that you may focus on for your Capstone project. If possible, provide a link to the practicum’s website. Additionally, discuss the relationship between your practicum site and current global health issues.

Paper For Above instruction

My practicum setting is a community health center located in a suburban area that serves an ethnically diverse population of approximately 15,000 residents. The center is medium-sized, with a staff comprised of nurses, physicians, social workers, and administrative personnel dedicated to delivering comprehensive healthcare services to the local community. The primary services offered include preventive care, chronic disease management, immunizations, health education, and maternal and child health services. The population served encompasses individuals of all ages, with a significant proportion of high-risk populations, including low-income families, elderly individuals, and minority groups who face barriers to healthcare access.

The center's disease focus revolves around managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, which are prevalent in the community. The cultural and ethnic makeup reflects a mix of Hispanic, African American, and Caucasian residents, with many patients speaking languages other than English, necessitating culturally competent care and bilingual staff. The geographic setting is a suburban neighborhood characterized by economic challenges and limited transportation options, which impact healthcare accessibility and adherence.

The role of my preceptor is primarily that of a community health nurse who oversees patient care, conducts health assessments, and provides health education tailored to cultural needs. My responsibilities include observing and participating in patient education sessions, assisting with health screenings, and learning about community outreach and resource coordination.

Several problems within the agency that I may focus on for my Capstone project include addressing health disparities faced by minority populations, improving patient adherence to chronic disease management plans, and enhancing health literacy among underserved groups. Additionally, addressing barriers to healthcare access, such as transportation issues and language barriers, remains a priority. The practicum’s website (if available) provides more context and resources related to these challenges.

The relationship between my practicum site and current global health issues is significant. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of accessible healthcare, vaccinations, and health education, especially among vulnerable populations. The center works to promote vaccination uptake, COVID-19 testing, and public health education—all vital elements of global health initiatives. Furthermore, the center’s focus on managing infectious and chronic diseases aligns with international efforts to reduce health disparities worldwide. Addressing social determinants of health in this setting mirrors global strategies aimed at improving health equity, emphasizing the importance of community-based interventions, culturally competent care, and collaborative efforts to combat health crises at both local and global levels.

References

• World Health Organization. (2020). Social determinants of health. https://www.who.int/social_determinants/en/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Addressing health disparities. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/index.html
• Heurtin-Roberts, S., & Goble, J. (2019). Community health nursing: Promoting and protecting the public’s health. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Giger, J. N., Davidhizar, R., Purnell, L., & Brewster, D. (2017). Transcultural healthcare: A culturally competent approach. Springer Publishing.
• American Public Health Association. (2019). Advancing health equity: A guide to language, narrative, and concepts. https://www.apha.org/
• Liu, Y., et al. (2022). Global health and community health nursing: Partnership and practice. Springer.
• Hood, C. M., et al. (2020). Disparities in health and healthcare: An overview. Medical Care Research and Review, 77(4), 359-369.
• Racine, E. F., et al. (2021). Addressing social determinants to improve health equity. Nursing Outlook, 69(4), 440-448.
• Van den Heuvel, C., & Goh, J. (2018). Community health nursing: Partnerships and practice. World Health Organization Report.
• United Nations. (2021). Sustainable development goals. https://sdgs.un.org/goals