Using a Nursing Framework to Establish a Nurse-Managed Senior Health Clinic

Abstract

This article describes the organizing framework and evaluation component of a newly initiated nurse-managed Senior Health Clinic that is being collaboratively run by a school of nursing and a senior service agency in Central Florida. Background is provided on choosing a partner agency; negotiations; developing a mission statement, goals, and operation plans; determining the target audience; and marketing strategies. The clinic targets residents who are 55 years old and older and who do not currently have a primary care provider. Cox's (1982) Interactional Model for Client Health Behavior provides the framework for care delivery and all process and outcome evaluation activities. As such, the model provides an innovative nursing focus to the delivery of primary care services. Client characteristics are used to form the components of the client data collection tool, which was developed to provide baseline information on seniors who are using the clinic. Three elements of client professional interaction are included in the Health Care Form, which documents the nurse practitioner services that were provided: health information, affective support, and professional technical competencies. The Client Satisfaction Tool measures the client's satisfaction with each of the elements of client-professional interaction that are theorized to influence health outcomes. Information management is facilitated by a computer program that enables staff to enter the information directly into the computer. Data collection is ongoing and will quantify the type and extensiveness of services provided and the quality of care at the Senior Health Clinic.