A Community-Based Educational Intervention: Increasing Medication Adherence in Rural Older Adults.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a community-based, interdisciplinary, medication education intervention for rural older adults. METHODS: The research design was a quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design. Self-efficacy, adherence to refills and medication, and knowledge were examined. An educational intervention was conducted with each participant on their prescribed medications. FINDINGS: Mean scores for the adherence to refills and medication subscale decreased from 9.9 to 8.5 (p = .003) indicating improved adherence. Mean scores for the knowledge subscale increased from 21.8 to 22.4 (p = .192). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest a community-based, interdisciplinary, individualized medication education intervention could increase medication adherence in rural older adults.

Lessons Learned: A Process Evaluation of the Rural Elder Awareness of Medication Safety (REAMS) Program.

This process evaluation of the Rural Elder Awareness of Medication Safety (REAMS) program provided identification of successful and unsuccessful elements along with barriers to and facilitators of this home-based pilot program. The REAMS program was developed to assist rural older adults aged >65 years and community health care organizations with strategies to improve health literacy related to medications. Recruitment of older adults, rurality of the program's setting, time constraints, and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic were the greatest barriers. The collaborative relationship developed with community health care partners was the greatest facilitator. This relationship promoted shared ideas and adjustments in program design to achieve the outcome goals. The lessons learned from process evaluation may benefit future researchers or community health promotion planners with designing community-based programs for older adults in rural areas. Future research should focus on expanding recruitment opportunities in acute care, primary care, and home health with the inclusion of all established health care providers in the community. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(4), 7-12.].

Sitting Time: An Increasing Heath Risk Among Nurse Educators.

Prolonged sitting time (ST) is a distinct risk factor for early mortality and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to examine ST and health of Kentucky nurse educators. The written survey included demographic items, general health items, and ST. Total average ST was 10.8 hours (workdays) and 8 hours (non-workdays). There was no relationship between body mass index and ST; however, the medication used to treat hypertension and hypercholesterolemia was associated with increased ST. Nurse educators are at risk for negative health effects of prolonged ST, and effective interventions are imperative.

Mental Health Issues Among Farmers: An Online Continuing Education Program for Nurses.

BACKGROUND: An asynchronous online continuing education (CE) program was created to increase nurses' awareness and knowledge of occupationally related mental health issues among farmers. METHOD: The ADDIE (analysis, design, development, implementation, evaluation) model was followed to create the CE program. Articulate Storyline 3 (Articulate 360), a software tool, was used to build an interactive, e-learning, and virtual training module. RESULTS: The course was completed by 113 nurses. Eighty-two (72.5%) of these nurses completed the course evaluation. Of these, 69 (84.1%) reported that the course met their expectations. The majority of respondents indicated that the material was presented in a clear, organized manner (80.0%, n = 80) and that all course objectives were met, including being able to identify sources of stress among farmers (86.3%, n = 80), recognize manifestations of stress among farmers (86.4%, n = 81), understand farmers' mental health status (86.3%, n = 80), and identify mental health nursing practices (87.3%, n = 79). CONCLUSION: Nurses can provide more salient care to the farming population when they are equipped with an understanding of the culture and stress associated with farming. This online educational program has the potential to improve mental health care for farmers and their families. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(10):482-488.].