Impact Evaluation of Nurse Advocacy Center for Underserved on Population Health

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe a project undertaken to measure the impact of an academic/practice partnership, the Nurse Advocacy Center for Underserved (NACU), on the population health of the region with a goal to design an impact evaluation to measure outcomes of an academic/practice partnership. Sample/Method: The sample included clients, staff, students, faculty, and volunteers from NACU sites. Data was collected through patient survey, focus groups, check-sheet, and satisfaction survey. Analysis was informed by a logic model and the Triple Aim. Findings: Results of focus groups identified themes of advocacy, environment, substance abuse, access, and preventative services. Check-sheet results revealed useful areas for measuring impact on regional health were perception of health and Hepatitis C status. Satisfaction survey results demonstrated that the experience in providing services through NACU was rated as good (10%), very good (50%), and excellent (40%) for non-students and good (15%), very good (23%), excellent (42%) for students. Findings support that NACU impact measures align with the foci areas identified by regional Health Department and greater community. Conclusions: A comprehensive impact evaluation is effective in measuring impact of the academic/practice partnership NACU on the health of the community and region. Dissemination of results will foster similar initiatives that address population health by creating academic/practice