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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Liam R. O'Fallon, MA, Division of Extramural Research and Training, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-21, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, 919.541.7733, ofallon@niehs.nih.gov and Patricia Butterfield, PhD, RN, College of Nursing, Montana State University, 207 Sherrick Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717.
It is well documented that nurses occupy a unique and valuable position at the intersection of environmental health and health care (IOM, 1995; NINR, 1997; EHP, 2001). Nurses interact with individuals of all ages and from all walks of life. They are in people's homes, schools, workplaces, hospitals, clinics and communities.
Since 1995, there has been a renewed interest in engaging nurses in environmental health because of the abilities they possess. Proponents suggest that effective research and clinical practice in environmental health must involve an interdisciplinary approach, which includes nurse participation. Trusting relationships nurtured by nurses with community residents may facilitate the development and implementation of community-based participatory research projects. Personal interactions also enable nurses to identify researchable problems and questions. Communication skills assist nurses in translating research findings into knowledge that can be applied to public health.
The purpose of this session will be to highlight the contributions nurses make to environmental health science research and to enumerate key strategies for advancing the field. Presenters will briefly highlight their research in environmental health sciences before addressing professional strategies that have worked well for them. Particular emphasis will be given to the development and use of multidisciplinary teams to pursue their research questions.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to
Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Environmental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.