Windshield Survey & Problem List

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NUR421WK3DirectionsforDiscussionAssignment.docx

NUR421 WK3 Directions for Discussion Assignment

Our topic of focus this week is rural and migrant health. Those living in rural areas and those who are migrants face numerous socio-economic and health-related challenges as well as barriers to accessing healthcare. As you are working on your windshield survey this week, what challenges and barriers are you seeing for your community of interest? Also, share with the class some interesting data or statistics you have found researching your community of interest.

NURS421Week3.docx

Hello Class,

I drove about forty-five minutes outside my city to survey a small rural community. The reason I chose this area, in particular, is because I noticed travel nursing jobs were in abundance in this area. I drove there to view the city and its surrounding areas. I wanted to know why there was such a need for nurses here.

The first thing I noticed was that there was a lot of farmland and the houses were quite a distance from one another. During my travel, I did not see any subdivisions or sidewalks. At least not in the area I was in. I remember passing two schools, an elementary and a middle school. I had to stop for gas, so I was able to locate a gas station after driving an additional eight to ten miles from the schools. Believe it or not, I did not even spot a Walmart, and we all know if we cannot find anything else, there’s going to be a Walmart nearby! Not one anywhere in sight! After driving another fifteen minutes, I finally reached their “downtown” area. Here, I was able to see a small plaza. Inside it, there was an urgent care center, a drugstore, a grocery store, and a hardware store. I did not see a hospital in the area, so I googled it, and there was one in a nearby city twenty minutes away. I do not know what they did for past time because I did not see any movie theaters, bowling alleys, or sports bars.

There were a couple of challenges and barriers I would like to point out. One is the limited access to healthcare. It is not uncommon for rural areas to have fewer healthcare facilities, medical professionals, and specialized services, leading to challenges in accessing timely and comprehensive healthcare. The lack of public transportation and the long distances can make it difficult for residents to access essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. This can lead to a snowball effect. Now the lack of transportation can cause social isolation. This may contribute to higher rates of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress.

References:

Cudney S. (2018). Understanding and addressing social isolation in rural areas. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 42(3), 189-201.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Mental health services in rural areas: Challenges and opportunities .

https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/mental-health

NURS421Week3Assignment-WindshieldSurveyProblemList.docx

Windshield Survey and Problem List

Date of Survey: _______________________ Weather conditions: _____________________

What area are you surveying? ____________________________________________________

Part A

A windshield survey can be conducted from a car, bus, bike or walking and provides a visual overview of a community. Conditions and trends in the community that could affect the health of the population should be noted. Nurses must be able to knowledgeably plan services for individuals, families and the community. In order to effectively plan, it is essential that the nurse is aware of the resources specific to the community a client resides in to allow for identification of health-related resources and to understand gaps in services.

1. Identify a community, district, or neighborhood you wish to survey.

2. Complete the table below, answering each question. This is a Word document. The boxes can be expanded to accommodate more text. If you cannot find one of the services/resources listed in the template, how far does the individual have to travel to find these services?

Item

Assessment Findings and Any Pertinent Analysis of Findings

Neighborhood Boundaries

· What defines the North, South, East, and West boundaries? Roads, water, railroads?

· Is the community identified by a name?

· Commercial or residential

Housing

· Approximate age, type of architecture

· Types of construction materials

· Single or multi-family dwellings

· General condition and appearance

· Size of yards

· How is the space between houses used? Is it safe? Is it attractive?

· Streetlights, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, open drainage ditches

· Vacant lots

· Abandoned cars

Open Spaces

· How much green space is seen?

· Parks and recreational; areas, Lighted?

· Public open space or private. Does it appear to be used? By whom?

· Are they safe and maintained?

· Trash, abandoned vehicles

Schools

· Presence of elementary, middle and high school

· Private or public

· Play areas, sports fields

· School grounds well-kept

· School bus stops, Cross walks for pedestrians

Business

· Shopping centers

· Neighborhood stores

· Grocery stores

· Pharmacies

· Gas stations

· Ethnic stores or stores that display information other than in English

· Signs advertising alcohol, tobacco

If the above are not present, how far do the members of the community have to travel to utilize these types of businesses? Be specific. How many miles to a grocery store? A pharmacy? A gas station?

Religion

· What denomination of churches are present?

· How many are there of each denomination?

· Evidence of use for other than worship purposes (schools, daycare)

Human services

· Hospitals, Health services

· Physician offices, health clinics or health centers, dentists

· Alternative medicine (acupuncture, massage)

· Social agencies - Welfare, WIC, social services

· Senior centers, child care centers

· Post office

Transportation

· How do people get in and out of the neighborhood? Car, bus, train, bicycle, walk

· Streets and roads conducive to transportation?

· Condition of the streets

· Bus stops and public transportation

· High traffic area?

· Speed limit signs, speed zones

Protective Services

· Police, Fire and Emergency services

· Fire stations, fire hydrants

· Evidence of security systems in the homes

· Neighborhood Watch program

· Evacuation route(s) posted?

· Emergency shelter

Neighborhood Life

· Who is present on the streets - Men, women, children, teens, the elderly

· What ethnic groups are part of the neighborhood

· Bilingual signage?

· Evidence of informal gathering spaces/hangouts - What are they? Who are they for?

· Social clubs or cultural organizations

· Is there a Community Center?

· Evidence of interaction among neighbors

· Evidence of homelessness

· Animals present (stray dogs/cats, dogs on leashes)

Industries

· What are the major industries located in the area?

· What types of occupations are evident?

Communication

· Is there evidence of local and national newspapers or other media?

· Are there informational posters on streets, busses, billboards, etc.?

Politics & Government

· Is there evidence of political activity?

· Are there any signs that indicate a predominant political party (parties)or concern(s)?

Health and Morbidity

· Is there evidence of any health problems such as drug/alcohol abuse, communicable or chronic diseases, mental illness (etc)?

Part B

Develop at least 3 potential community issues/concerns/problems identified from the Windshield Survey, data collected, and local statistics.

1.

2.

3.