Academic microsystems: adapting Clinical Microsystems as an evaluation framework for community-based nursing...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Community Health
• Healthcare Partnerships
• Program Evaluation

Background:

• Academic nursing programs and clinical agencies partnering for education and community health change face evaluation challenges.
• Measuring structure, processes, and outcomes across student education, community health, and partnership effectiveness is complex.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt the Clinical Microsystems model into an Academic Microsystems model for evaluating a senior Community Capstone course.
• To assess complementary processes and outcomes for both the nursing program and the community served.

Main Methods:

• Adaptation of the Clinical Microsystems model to create an Academic Microsystems model.
• Application of the model within a senior Community Capstone course involving community needs assessment, intervention, and evaluation.
• Focus on evaluating student educational processes/outcomes, community-sensitive outcomes, and partnership effectiveness.

Main Results:

• Positive outcomes were observed for both students and the community.
• The evaluation model identified the frontline microsystem (student/faculty/community nurse mentor) as the key factor for success.

Conclusions:

• The Academic Microsystems model provides a viable framework for evaluating nursing program-clinical agency partnerships.
• Developing a strong frontline microsystem involving students, faculty, and community nurse mentors is essential for successful community health initiatives.