Competency-based education models and implementation

Competency-Based Education Model: Promotion of Health and Decreasing Risk in the Community

The objective of this study is to address the promotion of health and decrease of risk in the community. This study will develop four competency statements based on national competencies and standards and develop five objectives for each competency statement. A course of study will be designed for one of the identified competencies using the GEM model for each new concept to be learned. One nursing case in which students will apply concepts of knowledge will be designed and two activities designed for each new concept in addition to reading the text that support competency-based education. Finally, at least one clinical experience will be designed that enables students to apply what they are learning.

Introduction

The competency-based education model is such that is learner-focused and uses documentation rather than assumption. The competency-based education model is outcome focused rather than focused on the process of learning and is focused on gaining competence rather than being focused on completion of the learning course.

I. Four Competency Statements

The community health care nurse should have the following competencies in the community health care initiative:

(1) the community health care nurse should be competent in educating the public about preventive health care;

(2) the community health care nurse should be competent in advocating for their patients;

(3) the community health care nurse should be culturally competent;

(4) the community health care nurse should be competent in conducting outreach to the community.

II. Objectives of Competency Statements

The objectives for each of these competencies are listed as follows:

(1) Educating the public about preventive health care

Providing information about immunizations;

Providing information about cancer screening;

Providing information about safe-sex;

Providing information about health nutrition.

Competent in knowledge about preventive health care.

(2) Providing advocacy

Referral of patients to other assistive agencies

Interaction with other agencies

Meeting with local and state officials about the needs of the public

Collaboration with other health care and community providers

Competent in knowledge about methods of advocacy

(3) Cultural Competence

Understands diversity of community

Understands there are various ways of understanding health care

Understands the various cultural beliefs about health care

Understands the various religious beliefs about health care

Understands how to apply knowledge of cultural competence

(4) Conducting Outreach

Outreach is conducting via printed information

Outreach is conducted via radio and television advertising

Outreach is conducted via word-of-mouth

Outreach is conducted via home visits in the community.

Understands the importance of conducting outreach

III. GEM Model

The GEM model involves: (1) Generation of the Model; (2) Evaluation of the Model; and (3) Modification of the Model. The GEM Model applied to the competency of educating the public about health care. The stated objectives for this competency include (1) Providing information about immunizations; (2) Providing information about cancer screening; (3) Providing information about safe sex; and (4) Providing information about health nutrition. For each of these learning objectives application of the GEM model involves the following:

(1) providing information to the public about immunizations: The public will be given written and verbal information about the importance of immunizations for their family and about how to access immunizations in the community of providers. The public will also be presented with information from the experiential view of someone who in the past failed to have their child immunized. Evaluation will be conducted by distributing surveys/questionnaires about access to immunizations in the previous 12 months. The model will be modified by identifying weak points in the efforts to inform the public.

(2) providing information to the public about cancer screening: the public will be given written and verbal information about cancer screening for their family and about how to access cancer screening in the community of providers. A special speaker will provide information about how cancer screening helped save their life. Evaluation will be conducted by distributing surveys/questionnaires about access to cancer screenings in the previous 12 months. The model will be modified by identifying weak points in the efforts to inform the public.

(3) Providing information about safe sex: the public will be given written and verbal information about the practice of safe sex and about how to access that which is needed to ensure the practice of safe sex. A special speaker will convey to the public how they have avoided contracting AIDS due to practicing safe sex. Evaluation will be conducted by distributing surveys/questionnaires about adherence to safe-sex practices in the previous 12 months. The model will be modified by identifying weak points in the efforts to inform the public.