This DNP project proposal outlines a culturally tailored, nurse-driven hypertension self-management education program designed for racial and ethnic minority adults in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The paper presents the project's vision, mission, short- and long-term objectives, and a PICOT question addressing approximately 300–400 participants from African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Asian American communities. The intervention, grounded in the Chronic Care Model and the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction and Lifestyle Intervention, combines in-person group sessions, multimedia resources, motivational interviewing, and peer support. Outcomes include blood pressure control and health-related quality of life as measured by the SF-36 survey, assessed over a 10-week implementation period. The paper also addresses project feasibility, sample characteristics, and community partnership strategies.
The paper effectively employs PICOT question construction as a clinical inquiry tool, translating a broad public health concern (hypertension disparities in minority populations) into a focused, answerable research question. This technique structures the entire proposal and ensures every design decision — from inclusion criteria to outcome instruments — directly serves the central research question.
The paper opens with a vision and mission statement followed by tiered objectives, then moves into the PICOT framework, addressing each element (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Time Frame) in its own dedicated subsection. A feasibility analysis follows, evaluating real-world implementation constraints. The paper concludes with a sample and setting description that contextualizes the project within Tulsa's demographic and community landscape. This logical progression mirrors standard DNP scholarly project formatting.
Vision: A future where minority communities disproportionately affected by hypertension have equitable access to culturally tailored, evidence-based self-management education and support, empowering them to achieve optimal blood pressure control and improved quality of life.
Mission: To develop and implement a nurse-driven, culturally sensitive hypertension self-management education program that addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by minority populations, promoting health equity and reducing disparities in hypertension management.
Short-term objectives:
Conduct a comprehensive literature review to identify evidence-based best practices for culturally tailored hypertension self-management education programs. Collaborate with community stakeholders and minority health organizations to understand the specific sociocultural determinants, barriers, and facilitators influencing hypertension management in the target populations. Design and develop a culturally relevant, linguistically appropriate, and user-friendly hypertension self-management education curriculum, incorporating interactive multimedia resources and community-based learning activities. Recruit and train a diverse team of bilingual and culturally competent nurses and community health workers to facilitate the education program. Pilot the hypertension self-management education program within selected minority communities, evaluating its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in improving blood pressure control and health-related quality of life.
Long-term objectives:
Refine and optimize the hypertension self-management education program based on findings from the pilot study and stakeholder feedback. Establish sustainable partnerships and collaborations with community organizations, healthcare providers, and policymakers to support the large-scale implementation and dissemination of the program across the United States and globally. Conduct a multi-site, randomized controlled trial to rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of the culturally tailored hypertension self-management education program in improving blood pressure control, health-related quality of life, and reducing health disparities among minority populations. Develop evidence-based guidelines and recommendations for advanced practice nurse-led interventions aimed at improving hypertension management and addressing health disparities in minority populations. Contribute to the broader understanding of the sociocultural determinants influencing hypertension and its management, informing future research, policies, and practices in this area.
Congruence with Organizational Mission and Vision: The proposed project closely aligns with the mission and vision of this initiative by addressing a critical public health issue that disproportionately affects minority communities and promotes health equity through culturally sensitive, nurse-driven interventions. The project's overarching focus on empowering individuals to take an active role in managing their health and improving overall quality of life resonates with the organization's commitment to patient-centered care and holistic well-being. In addition, the project's emphasis on community engagement, collaboration, and evidence-based practice mirrors organizational values of partnership, innovation, and excellence.
In order to achieve the initiative's above-stated short- and long-term objectives, the following PICOT question serves as the basis for the proposed DNP project:
The target population for this project will be adults aged 18 years and older from minority communities (e.g., African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, and Asian American) residing in the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma, who have been diagnosed with hypertension. Current statistics indicate that the prevalence of hypertension in this city has increased in recent years (Analysis of hypertension, 2024). The project aims to recruit approximately 300–400 participants from various community centers, places of worship, and healthcare facilities within the city and its surrounding metropolitan area of approximately one million people.
Recruitment Process and Informed Consent: Participants will be recruited through collaborations with community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, and healthcare providers serving minority populations in Tulsa. Informational sessions will be conducted to raise awareness about the project, and interested individuals will be screened for eligibility. All potential participants will be provided with detailed information about the study, including its purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits. Informed consent will be obtained from those who meet the eligibility criteria and voluntarily agree to participate.
Primary Characteristics: The primary characteristics of the target population are as follows: self-identifying as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, or Asian American); residing in or near the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and having been diagnosed with hypertension (elevated blood pressure levels).
Inclusion Criteria: Age 18 years or older; self-reported diagnosis of hypertension; ability to understand and communicate in English or Spanish (or other languages, if resources permit); and willingness to participate in the hypertension self-management education program and follow-up assessments.
Exclusion Criteria: Presence of severe cognitive impairment or mental health conditions that may interfere with participation; presence of end-stage renal disease or other severe comorbidities that could impact blood pressure management; and participation in another hypertension management program during the study period.
By clearly defining the target population, recruitment strategies, informed consent process, and eligibility criteria, the project can ensure a representative sample of minority individuals with hypertension in the city of Tulsa, allowing for a comprehensive evaluation of the culturally tailored self-management education program.
The intervention for this proposed DNP-led project is the implementation of a culturally tailored, nurse-driven hypertension self-management education program for minority populations in the city of Tulsa. This evidence-based practice (EBP) change aims to address the disproportionate burden of hypertension and associated health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups.
The hypertension self-management education program will be designed based on the principles of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) and the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction and Lifestyle Intervention (IMPBLI). The CCM emphasizes the importance of self-management support, delivery system redesign, decision support, clinical information systems, and community resources in managing chronic conditions (Kim et al., 2024). The IMPBLI model incorporates sociocultural factors, environmental influences, and health beliefs in promoting lifestyle changes and self-management behaviors (Branscum, 2017). The education program will be delivered through a combination of in-person group sessions and supplementary online modules, facilitated by a team of culturally competent nurses and community health workers. The curriculum will be tailored to address the specific cultural beliefs, dietary practices, and health literacy levels of the target minority populations.
The key components of the intervention will include the following:
Educational sessions on hypertension, its risk factors, complications, and management strategies, delivered in a culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate manner. Practical demonstrations and hands-on activities related to blood pressure monitoring, medication adherence, dietary modifications (e.g., culturally relevant healthy cooking classes), and physical activity promotion. Incorporation of motivational interviewing techniques and goal-setting exercises to enhance self-efficacy and facilitate behavior change (Ekong & Kavookjian, 2016). Utilization of interactive multimedia resources — such as educational videos, mobile apps, and online forums — to reinforce learning and promote engagement. Involvement of community health workers and peer support groups to foster social support and accountability. Coordination with primary care providers and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care and ongoing monitoring of participants' blood pressure levels.
The effectiveness of culturally tailored self-management education programs for hypertension management in minority populations has been supported by various studies in the literature.
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