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What strategies could be used?

Each clinical setting is unique. Strategies that will work in your environment can be used to design your interventions based on suggested options from the Champions.

Build Strategies Based on Strengths Within Your Organization

Institutional-specific intervention methods or strategies used by Champion Teams to increase nursing awareness, competency, integration and utilization of genomic information in nursing healthcare delivery are recommended. Because assets and needs are so unique to each setting, not all strategies work equally well. Designing the intervention for your organization requires consideration of potential options that will build on the strengths within your institutional environment.

In this section, let’s look at:

  • Items to Consider
     
  • Examples of what other organizations have done
     
  • Implementation of strategies

Items to Consider

  1. Scope of intervention-how big or small is the target audience for the intervention?
     
  2. Targeted audience-what is the knowledge level and gaps within your audience?
     
  3. Existing resources-are there resources already available or does your team have the capacity to create something specific to your organization’s needs?
     
  4. Potential themes for guiding plans-are there special months/days (i.e., colon cancer awareness day) or special topics your organization already celebrates and could add genetic and genomic information to those educational events?
     
  5. Potential incentives-are there ways your organization could recognize staff participation in the intervention encouraging them to participate?
     

There are varied staff development options for your consideration that were successfully utilized by educators and administrators involved in the Method for Introducing a New Competency: Genomics (MINC) into Nursing Practice study.

Examples from Other Organizations

  1. Journal Clubs: gather for reviews of articles focused on genetic or genomic topics
     
  2. Offer Mandatory or Optional Educational Offerings using varied methodologies
     
    • Webcasts
       
    • Inservices
       
    • Grand Rounds
       
    • Health Stream/Halogen
       
    • CE Offerings-classes
       
    • Lectures/symposiums
       
  3. Include in Annual Competencies Events
     
  4. Incorporate genetic and genomic topics into Conference Presentations
     
  5. Bulletins/Newsletters
     
  6. Games

Implementation of Strategies

  1. Once strategies are selected, communication of the plans are important to help all staff to be aware of the opportunity or requirement to participate in the event(s). Take advantage of already existing committees or communication methods to highlight the availability of resources and events.
     
  2. Several of the MINC Champion Teams utilized awareness campaigns to gain momentum highlighting the value of genomics for patient care. Two teams created a logo to be used as part of their branding of all messages and events sponsored for this initiative.
     
  3. Mobilize members of the Steering Committee or select others as an implementation team. Consideration of bringing others in for assistance such as the marketing group within your setting may help bring new ideas to the group to improve outreach and attendance. The potential for taping live events for web access if available may help expand the audience reached by all your hard work.
     
  4. Conduct planned programming. Attention to details such as when, where, and how the educational event will be offered requires organization skills.
     
  5. Recognition of staff who attend or contribute to planned events or resources may help increase their interest and participation in achieving genomic competency. Consider building the competency expectations into career ladder expectations or award recognition. Such incentives show the value by leadership of this initiative.

Resources

Calzone, K., Jenkins, J., Culp, S., Caskey, S., & Badzek, L. (2014). Expanding RN Scope of Practice: A Method for Introducing a New Competency into Nursing Practice. Journal of Nursing Regulation. 5(1), 40-47 PMID:25343056

Akron Childrens: Gene Scene Autism

Akron Childrens: Gene Scene Heart

Akron Childrens: Gene Scene Birth Defects

Akron Childrens: Gene Scene CRC

Avera McKennan Hospital: Evidence Based Practice

Avera McKennan Hospital: Family History Module

Avera McKennan Hospital: Kickoff

Avera McKennan Hospital: Marketing Ideas

Avera McKennan Hospital: Posters

Avera McKennan Hospital: Quality & Patient Safety Showcase Presentation

Avera McKennan Hospital: Skills Fair

Avera McKennan Hospital: Skills Fair Flyer

Central DuPage Hospital: DNA Event

Childrens DC: APRN Newsletter

Childrens DC: Family History Questionnaire

Central DuPage Hospital: Genetics Monthly Education January

Central DuPage Hospital: Genetics Monthly Education February

Fox Chase PA: DNA Day

Fox Chase PA: Leadership Module

Hunterdon Healthcare: National Family History Day

Hunterdon Healthcare: Research Day

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center: Bulletin

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center: Call for Posters

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center: Genomics PRN

OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center: Sample Steering Committee Agenda

Providence St. Vincent Medical Center Genetics Crossword

South Shore Hospital: Gene Splash

Texas Health Presbyterian: Cardiovascular Disease Genomics to Health

Texas Health Presbyterian: DNA From Base Pairs to Bedside

Texas Health Presbyterian: Family History & Diabetes

Texas Health Presbyterian: Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Legislation

Texas Health Presbyterian: Genomics Crossword Puzzle

Texas Health Presbyterian: Improving Colon Cancer Bottom Line

Texas Health Presbyterian: National Prostate Awareness Month (June)

Texas Health Presbyterian: National Stroke Awareness Month (May)

Texas Health Presbyterian: Pharmacogenomics

Last updated: February 4, 2022