Found 2 projects

Poster Presentation 1

11:20 AM to 12:20 PM
Evaluating the Impact of Post Graduate Fellowship Programs on Rural Healthcare Workforce Needs in Washington State
Presenter
  • Grace Plavocos, Senior, Nursing UW Honors Program
Mentor
  • Anita Souza, Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Systems
Session

Evaluating the Impact of Post Graduate Fellowship Programs on Rural Healthcare Workforce Needs in Washington Stateclose

Residents of rural and underserved areas of Washington face significant barriers to accessing primary and preventive healthcare, contributing to worsened health outcomes and decreased survival rates for major medical events such as heart attacks or strokes. These challenges are compounded by persistent disparities in healthcare delivery across communities. To address these gaps, innovative solutions are essential to enhance care delivery and strengthen the healthcare workforce. This study evaluates the impact of post-graduate fellowship programs designed for nurse practitioners in partnership with rural and underserved healthcare providers across Washington. By conducting interviews with fellowship participants and collecting data from clinics hosting these fellows, the research examines the effectiveness of these programs in improving patient access and preparing practitioners for rural healthcare roles. The study also explores the influence of these programs on practitioner confidence, competence, and integration into clinical settings, alongside the productivity expectations of rural clinics.  A qualitative and quantitative survey sent out to the DNP fellows and rural clinics that hosted the fellows to evaluate the experience and effectiveness of the program. Preliminary findings suggest that structured fellowship programs play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academic preparation and the demands of clinical practice. Structured support in the first year of practice is crucial in fostering clinical confidence, enhancing decision-making skills, and ensuring a smoother transition from training to independent practice, ultimately leading to better patient care and retention in rural healthcare settings. Insights gained from this research aim to inform the development of future fellowship initiatives, ensuring they effectively address the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities. This work contributes to achieving equitable healthcare access and improving health outcomes for underserved populations in Washington state.


Exploring Healthcare and Housing Differences Between Older Veterans and Non-Veterans in Permanent Supportive Housing: Barriers to Healthy Aging
Presenter
  • Jun Heo, Senior, Nursing UW Honors Program
Mentor
  • Anita Souza, Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Systems
Session

Exploring Healthcare and Housing Differences Between Older Veterans and Non-Veterans in Permanent Supportive Housing: Barriers to Healthy Agingclose

As individuals experiencing homelessness age, their healthcare needs become increasingly complex. People over age 50 are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness, yet there is little knowledge about specific subgroups, particularly older homeless veterans. The aim of our study was to explore the experiences of older veterans and non-veterans experiencing homelessness, with a focus on contextualizing the unique barriers to accessing healthcare and maintaining stable housing in each group to better understand how these factors impact healthy aging. Using a qualitative research design, we developed a semi-structured interview guide in collaboration with key informants from Compass Housing Alliance. We recruited participants aged over 50 who have recently exited homelessness and are living in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). We conducted forty-five-minute interviews with veterans (6-10 participants) and non-veterans (6-10 participants). The questions focused on daily living, work, healthcare, connection & community, access to structural support services, and perceived impact on aging well. We recorded and transcribed these semi-structured interviews, which we coded to identify key themes. Additionally, all participants completed a basic survey to capture demographics such as length of time homeless, age, and gender. After the initial thematic analysis, we had a second session with participants to check the accuracy of the identified themes. The qualitative approach of this study provides new data directly from those with lived experience. This study offers critical insights into the unique challenges faced by aging veterans in comparison to non-veterans in PSH, exploring gaps in healthcare access, limitations of healthcare services, and the role of housing stability for older adults. This research is significant to policymakers, healthcare providers, and housing organizations seeking to tailor support to the heterogeneous groups within the aging homeless population.