The Intervention of Outreach

Best Practices

Tembreull, Cindy L.
Schaffer, Marjorie A.

Cindy L. Tembreull M.A., R.N., Public Health Nurse, Government Center, Anoka, Minnesota.
Marjorie A. Schaffer, Ph.D., R.N, Professor, Department of Nursing, Bethel University, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Correspondence to: Cindy L. Tembreull, Government Center, 2100 3rd Avenue, Anoka, MN 55303-2264. E-mail: [email protected]

Public Health Nursing 22(4):p 347-353, July-August 2005.

Public health nurses (PHNs) use the intervention of outreach to improve health status by locating “at-risk” or “of interest” populations, providing information about health concerns and linking the population to resources to address the health concerns. The purpose of this study was to analyze PHNs' use of the intervention of outreach. Knowledge about best practices can contribute to the ability to successfully implement outreach activities. The descriptive qualitative study involved interviewing 10 Minnesota PHNs. Findings suggest strategies to increase outreach effectiveness. Recommendations include providing education on population-based concepts, such as community assessment and at-risk populations, and using interventions from the Public Health Intervention Wheel in conjunction with outreach.