UPEI nursing students host population health project showcase on December 5
Twenty groups of fourth-year UPEI nursing students in the Nursing and Population Health 4010 course have been working with agencies across PEI this semester to create innovative projects and programs to promote health and wellness. The students will present their work to their community agency partners and guests at a population health project showcase on December 5, 2023, from 2:00–4:00 pm in McMillan Hall in the W.A. Murphy Student Centre.
Dr. Janet Loo, assistant professor and course coordinator, said that the showcase provides the students with an opportunity to disseminate the projects they completed to community stakeholders, health leaders, and the broader campus community.
One group of students developed a medication management program for the clients of the Community Outreach Centre, she said. Another group developed a social marketing campaign to increase awareness of the programs and supports of The Family Place in Summerside. Another developed a lunch-and-learn program to educate primary care providers on PEI about the 2023 clinical practice guidelines related to osteoporosis and the resources available to patients through Osteoporosis Canada.
Student Kaitlyn Richard worked on the Community Outreach Centre project. “Our population health course placement at the Community Outreach Centre was an eye-opening experience to see firsthand how the social determinants of health can influence a population’s health outcomes,” she said. “With our population assessment and information from the staff, we identified barriers clients have with accessing their medication regularly. Our project aimed to reduce some barriers so clients can successfully manage their health. This rotation has been valuable not only for our nursing practice but for members of the greater community of Charlottetown and PEI.”
Another group worked with the Lennox Island Health Centre to develop a non-insured health benefits tool to improve knowledge for direct billing providers. They identified that this lack of knowledge was leading to gaps in care and poor health outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
“This semester I had the pleasure of mentoring four brilliant UPEI nursing students,” said Mi'kmaq Health Systems Navigator Shelby Arsenault. “During their time with me, I have seen this group of young women embrace the Mi’kmaq culture and its people, understanding the importance of culturally appropriate care, and I also have faith they will make great change and impact, not just in health care but also in respect to reconciliation. They are the future of our health-care system, and I couldn’t be more proud! Wela’lioq.”
Dr. Christina Murray, dean of the Faculty of Nursing, said “Working in partnership with communities to advance the health of individuals, families, and communities is essential for registered nurses today. The phenomenal work completed by our N4010 students will make a significant impact on the health of Islanders.”
The showcase is a result of a collaboration between the UPEI Faculty of Nursing and the UPEI Experiential Education Department and is funded by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada and the Government of Canada's Innovative Work-Integrated Learning Initiative.
