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Feasibility of Using the Omaha System for Community‐level Observations
Author(s) -
Kerr Madeleine J.,
Flaten Carol,
Honey Michelle L. L.,
GargantuaAguila Sebastiana del Rosario,
Nahcivan Nursen O.,
Martin Karen S.,
Monsen Karen A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
public health nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.471
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1525-1446
pISSN - 0737-1209
DOI - 10.1111/phn.12231
Subject(s) - checklist , terminology , population , community health , public health , gerontology , medicine , environmental health , psychology , nursing , linguistics , philosophy , cognitive psychology
Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using a standardized language, the Omaha System, to capture community‐level observations to facilitate population assessment and electronic information exchange. The objectives were: (1) to evaluate the feasibility of using the Omaha System at the community level to reflect community observations and (2) to describe preliminary results of community observations across international settings. Design and Sample Descriptive. A dataset of 284 windshield surveys (community observations) completed by nursing students in five countries: Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, and the United States. Measures The Omaha System Problem Classification Scheme provided standardized terms for assessment of communities in an online checklist of 11 problems and their respective signs/symptoms. Results Feasibility was demonstrated: students were able to describe community observations using standardized terminology from the Omaha System. Preliminary results describe variations in community signs and symptoms by location. Conclusions The Omaha System appears to be a useful tool for community‐level observations and a promising strategy for electronic exchange of population health assessments.