Date of Conferral
2019
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Nursing
Advisor
Corrine Wheeler
Abstract
African American women living in rural Ohio have a history of low mammogram
screening rates and a high incidence of breast cancer identification in the late stage of the
disease, leading to mortality rates exceeding those of Caucasian women. The purpose of
this doctoral project was to establish a breast health educational program for health
providers in a local mammography center that did not provide such a program
specifically targeted for African American women. Three theoretical frameworks, the
health belief model, Knowles's learning theory, and the PEN-3 model, guided the
development of a staff education program based on cultural appropriateness. The
practice-focused question was whether or not the educational program would enable
health care providers and staff to use an evidence-based approach to promote the message
of breast cancer prevention in a population at high risk for breast cancer. A radiology
specialist, nurse navigator and radiology supervisor reviewed the educational plan and the
Komen Toolkit materials and graded the program as strongly supporting a cultural
competency program. The education and experience of the three panel experts in
mammography enabled them to serve as evaluators for this research project. The strategy
to use faith-based leaders' as representatives of the African American patient population
collaborating with providers supported cultural competency in health care.
Mammography centers and faith-based organizations benefit from this project because of
its focus on culture at the center of its development. Cultural competency supports
positive social change in health care for an at-risk population.
Recommended Citation
Palmer, Vanessa Marie, "Staff Education Program to Promote Breast Cancer Prevention Among African American Women" (2019). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 6471.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6471
