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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Cynthia Laclair, BS, MPH cand and Judith Sullivan, RN, EdD. Master of Public Health Program, Public Health Nursing Track, University of New Hampshire, 400 Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101, 603-862-3010, chlaclair@verizon.net

Delivery of care to clients in group settings has been shown to empower participants, reduce redundancy in teaching by care providers, and increase client self-care. Specific to prenatal care, group methods by a multi-disciplinary team have also been shown to result in improved fetal outcomes, such as higher pre-term birth weights, and gestational age.

The Capitol Region Family Health Center, home of the Dartmouth Family Practice Residency has taken the advice from an important document titled "The Future of Family Medicine". To meet the challenges of the future of family practice for the pregnant client, a new approach to prenatal care delivery has been developed by this advance practice PHN, using the Centering Pregnancy Model developed by Sharon Rising. This Model has been tested in a matched cohort study, with results reported elsewhere.

This paper will focus on the development of the group model as the overall innovation. Four specific interventions from the 18 Public Health Interventions presented in the Minnesota Wheel (Minnesota Health Department) were designed for this population-based, systems-focused practice for underserved and underinsured pregnant women. This multi-disciplinary approach has been adapted to be co-facilitated by an APPHN and family practice physician, with other care providers participating on an as needed basis.

A process evaluation of the Model innovation will be presented contrasting the traditional one-on-one method of prenatal visits, documenting client satisfaction with care, cost comparisons in nurse and physician time per client, client engagement during prenatal visits, client adherence to recommendations, and eventual birth outcomes.

Learning Objectives: By the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the group model used in this prenatal care innovation.
• Identify the four specific public health interventions designed for this family practice center.
• Articulate the items included in the process evaluation of group prenatal care.

Keywords: Prenatal Care, Models for Provision

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered