Page 244 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

HeAlTH pOlIcy AND HeAlTH SerVIce DelIVery n 211

methodological approaches. etowa et al. directly influence sustainable infrastructure
(2007) used pAr to investigate health sta- and systematic assessment and attention to
tus and health care access among African organizational complexities. H
canadian women in rural Nova Scotia. The Advanced knowledge of genetics can
study used community research facilita- have a dual effect. On one hand, such knowl-
tors who were members of the communities edge can broaden discrimination in commu-
where the research took place. Trained in nities of color by assigning erroneous genetic
every aspect of the pAr process, commu- contributions to diseases without fully con-
nity facilitators ensured that study findings templating the systemic social contributions
closely reflected the community’s health con- to health (Bonham et al., 2009). However,
cerns and they interacted sensitively with the if genomics research would include longi-
public and with policy makers. tudinal cohort studies that consider envi-
Health disparity research is expanding. ronmental exposures, lifestyle, and genetic
Highlighting the perspectives of the com- risk factors among others, while integrating
munity as a partner and training lay pro- participatory action methodologies, a fuller
viders to overcome barriers to health care visualization of health disparities might be
access and promote emotional support are appreciated.
in vogue (Balcazar et al., 2010; Nyamathi This summarized research provides
et al., 2011). latest examples include the use nurse researchers with viable frameworks
of photovoice to capture shared perceptions and methodologies for addressing health
of characteristics that influence the health inequities. Such frameworks consider the
and well-being of the community, followed contexts and systems in which health ineq-
by concept mapping, wherein active involve- uities occur and provide opportunities for
ment of residents promotes the organiza- nurse researchers to take an active role in
tion and building of consensus, leading to correcting health disparities. collaborative
solutions in poor immigrant communities research involvement is essential if the health
(Haque & rosas, 2010). Use of creative arts of vulnerable populations is to equal that of
with visual voices with African American the most privileged in our society.
youth is another example that informed
researchers about issues related to environ- Adey Nyamathi
mental safety (yonas et al., 2009).
Future direction needs to focus on adapt-
ing the latest innovations in pAr to under-
stand more fully the many contextual issues HealtH poliCy anD HealtH
that influence the health status of impover-
ished communities. For example, the ongo- serviCe Delivery
ing use of pAr as well as the more innovative
examples of studies that combine genetic
sequencing with integration of participatory policy is a general statement of aims or goals
research methods results in building a con- that can be described at different levels of
sensus framework of health-affecting factors abstraction and can range in scope. They
leading to improved health of a neighbor- can serve as a broad guideline to a specific
hood. Moreover, engaging researchers to action. policy encompasses choices that soci-
conduct pilot studies that bring together like- ety as a whole, segments of society, or orga-
minded organizations to focus on education nizations make regarding their goals and
and training programs to improve commu- priorities and reflect the values, attitudes,
nity capacity can be a powerful strategy and beliefs of those designing the policy. A
(Gwede et al., 2009). Such outcomes can more policy guides the allocation of resources that