Addressing Medical Mistrust Utilizing a Community Cancer Screening Event: Undergraduate Nursing Students' Response to...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Racial and ethnic disparities in cancer screening and mortality persist in the U.S.
• Medical mistrust is a significant barrier contributing to these disparities.
• Few nursing interventions directly address medical mistrust.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a nursing intervention designed to equip students with skills to address medical mistrust.
• To explore the impact of narrative-based education and community engagement on nursing students' perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A co-developed cancer screening initiative, 'One Stop Cancer Shop,' was implemented.
• Undergraduate nursing students participated in a public narrative storytelling workshop and community screening events.
• Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze student reflections.

Main Results:

• Students developed skills to address medical mistrust, enhance communication, and view the community as a client.
• Participants reported increased awareness of structural inequities and empathy.
• Students recognized the value of engaging with underserved communities.

Conclusions:

• Narrative-based education can equip nursing students to address medical mistrust.
• Experiential learning integrated into nursing curricula can improve cultural competence and address health disparities.