dr rocal 4140 discussion

Respond to this classmates like in the other posts you have done

Carolina

1  Based on the needs assessment of the Carilion Clinic, they immediately began to work on investments such as new accessible health service buildings in different areas of the region and community. This was done by collaborating with a variety of organizations, such as the United Way of Roanoke Valley. For instance, New Horizons Dental Clinic was created based on the data presented by the community needs assessment demonstrating the great need for accessible dental care. Nancy Agee, President and CEO of Carilion Clinic states in the video that collaborating with many different organizations is critical in order to “look at the whole diversity of our region and strengthen relationships so we’re not replicating efforts, but rather we’re complementing and strengthening our efforts to improve health” (2015). I believe the needs assessment allowed them to specifically pinpoint what their community needed, and this allowed them to truly help the community directly. I would recommend the clinic to continue to utilize surveys and the needs assessment to focus on the community itself. This is because the alternative data sources available on a national and state level is not sufficient. The more Carilion Clinic interacts with the community directly, the more beneficial it will be for communities across the region, as well as themselves.

2  Needs assessment, program planning and evaluation are all integrated. For instance, as the book states “the evaluation of a program begins with its needs assessment. Data collected during a needs assessment can often serve as part of the baseline or “pretest” data needed for impact and outcome evaluations” (Hodges & Videto, 2011, p.4). In other words, in order to for program planning to be successful, it is critical a needs assessment is done and followed by an evaluation of the needs assessment.  

3  MAPP, as stated in the text, begins with the development of partnerships and identifying the participants for the needs assessment (Hodges & Videto, 2011, p.10). MAPP was used by Carilion Clinic though the use of their collaboration with other organizations, non-profits, health agencies, and the government. This strengthened the Carilion clinic’s goal as it provided more resources to accomplish the shared vision of improving the communities’ quality of life and delivery of care. APEXPH was used through its three parts throughout Carilion Clinic’s process. The first part, which as mentioned in the book is the self-assessment, was illustrated in the beginning of the video when Nancy, President and CEO, states the issues and goals at hand. The second part, the community process, is demonstrated with the community health needs assessment committee. This is the part where the program objective is derived from. The third part, concluding the cycle, is seen in the example of the New Horizon’s Dental Clinic, where Carilion’s decision based on the needs assessment data was monitored and evaluated. PACE EH, which involves environmental health and the involvement of community members is seen with the example of the firehouse benefiting from the community health needs assessment. The increase of fire trucks is beneficial to environmental health, and the direct involvement of the captain illustrates how Carilion includes the community members.

4  After researching articles related to adult obesity, I came across an article describing a health promotion program which targets obesity, and a health education program on obesity. In the article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding health promotion programs for obesity listed different efforts in which obesity epidemic can be diminished. For example, it described ways schools and workplaces can focus on supporting a healthy eating and active lifestyle. On the other hand, the health education program article by Harvard’s school of public health, went into more detail of the epidemic itself, as well as ways it can be addressed and incorporated in schools and working environments.   

5  After visiting and researching healthypeople.gov, I have chosen that the health indicator I will be developing is obesity. The type of program I would like to implement is one that will benefit people of all ages. After seeing videos and the information provided by healthypeople.gov, it is evident this epidemic affects multiple age groups. Necessary elements in the successful implementation of this community program include: easy accessibility, effective programing, and community involvement. This is the direct link of the health indicator I have chosen: https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Nutrition-Physical-Activity-and-Obesity  

Melissa

Based on the Needs Assessment of the Carilion Clinic, what did they get to work on immediately? Do you believe this needs assessment truly helped them understand what their community needed? What recommendations would you have for this clinic going forward? 

The Needs Assessment of the Carilion Clinic allowed them to work on the need for accessible dental care in Roanoke Valley.  They were able to open up a community dental service in New Horizon, which opened up lots of opportunities for people to get service done. I do believe the needs assessment truly helped them understand what their community needs because it assist health providers figure out problems within the area and possibly take action to positively influence them. I recommend the clinic to go forward using the needs assessment because it will help identify goals, provide need support, identify any limitations as well as help them provide a foundation for developing programs.

2.    How are needs assessment, program planning and evaluation related? Provide details and examples. 

The three are related because needs assessment are a necessary part of planning and implementing a program and serve as the beginning of program evaluation (Hodges & Videto, 2011). With the use of the needs assessment, program planners use it to figure out what needs to be address and to identify any problem areas within the target population so it can be resolved. For instance, a connection must be made with the target population. The target population can assist a program planner with the collection of data and provide feedbacks in reference with the program. Once the data is collected, it is use as the baseline for evaluation to figure out outcome, which takes us back to the start with the needs assessment.

3.    Explain how MAPP, APEXPH, and PACE EH are used. 

MAPP is known as mobilizing for action through planning and partnership. MAPP is design to identify needs and assets associated with fulfilling a shared community vision of quality life by building partnership and forming community organizations. The Protocol for Assessing Community Excellence in Environmental Health (PACE EH) focuses on the environmental health. It involves the local community members in collecting information related to environmental health issues, determining priorities, setting goals and objectives, and designing action plans (Hodges & Videto, 2011). The Assessment Protocol for Excellence in Public Health (APEXPH) provides local communities with a means of increasing their organizational capacity and strengthening their leadership role in their communities (NACCHO, 2007). On the contrary to PACE EH, APEXPH focuses more on the local health problems, strengthening relationships with the local community and creating an action plan.

4.    Locate and read one article describing a health promotion program and one describing a health education program. Write a summary containing a minimum of 4 sentences describing the difference between them. 

I found an article called Health Promotion: An Effective Tool for Global Health. Health education and health promotion goes hand in hand and use in tandem. Health education is a combination of learning experiences designed to help individuals and communities improve their health, by increasing their knowledge or influencing their attitudes, whereas health promotion takes a more comprehensive approach to promoting health by involving various players and focusing on multisectoral approaches (Kumar & Preetha, 2012). Health education informs you on health information and provides knowledge to the communities. On the contrary, health promotion helps address health problems broadly such as changes in the environment that can lead to better health outcomes. This allows individuals to grasp and take control of their health and possibly better their health. Health promotion helps you reach a state of complete physical, mental and social well being, an individual or group must be able to identify and to realize aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment (Kumar & Preetha, 2012). 

            Obesity is a serious problem we face today. The type of program I would like to implement is based on obesity especially towards children and adolescence. The program provided would offer support to let them know they are not alone, education on how to nourish the body, motivation, gain self-confidence and help them live a better and healthy lifestyle. We would assist them by changing eating habits, increasing physical activity and setting realistic goals. The necessary element to a successful implantation of a community program is all about planning. It’s about planning the work, planning the task, putting time and effort, budgeting, and providing resources.