Models and frameworks that enable nurses to develop their public health practice-A scoping study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Public Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Extensive literature exists on public health nursing roles and scope.
• Limited reviews (two) have specifically examined public health nursing practice models and frameworks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore models and frameworks enabling nurses to develop public health practice.
• To identify how nurses deliver public health interventions to individuals, families, and communities.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review utilizing a narrative approach and five methodological steps.
• Searched multiple databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, CINHAL, British Nursing Index) for peer-reviewed articles from 2008 onwards.
• Analyzed 95 retrieved studies thematically.

Main Results:

• Two main themes emerged: public health models in practice and public health education.
• Practice models showed characteristics of interventions and nurses, but lacked measurable health benefits.
• Education models highlighted faculty-student collaboration and experiential learning for developing public health competencies.

Conclusions:

• Numerous models and frameworks are utilized in public health nursing practice.
• A limited evidence base exists for practice models, failing to demonstrate measurable population health benefits.
• Innovative educational models show promise for developing preregistration nursing students' public health competencies.