No abstract

Although interprofessional teamwork and collaboration are considered key elements for improving patient outcomes, there are few reports of controlled studies involving interprofessional training of health care learners in the ambulatory primary care setting. We describe an educational program for teams of nurse practitioners, family medicine residents and social work students to work together at clinical sites in the delivery of longitudinal care in primary care ambulatory clinics. Year 1 was a planning year. Program evaluation completed at the end of the second curriculum (Year 3) indicated that the changes the team made at the end of the first curriculum (Year 2) resulted in increased appreciation of the training program, greater perception of value of care delivered by interprofessional teams among team learners as compared to non-team learners, and team learner self assessment of improved team skills including working with other professionals, resolving conflict, and integrating prevention and health promotion into health care. Team learners demonstrated an increased awareness of the limits of their own profession's approach to team care. We conclude that interprofessional ambulatory clinical training in primary care where learners work together providing care to patients can contribute to fostering both positive learner attitudes toward interprofessional work and development of team skills.

The experience of serenity is related to development of the higher self. Four levels of serenity are a safe, wise, beneficent, and universal self. Knowledge about serenity can help nurses to select interventions that promote clients' health.

Accurate information is needed to facilitate health equity in underserved communities. This community-based participatory study asked residents about the meaning of mental health, their perceptions of community mental health needs, barriers to accessing mental health care, and acceptability of mental health services that are integrated in primary health clinics. Forty-five primarily African-American residents from urban communities participated in focus groups. Findings revealed high prevalence of substance abuse, depression, crime, and stigma about mental illness, with multiple access barriers. Participants were receptive to mental health care integrated in primary care, if others did not know they were receiving mental health care.

1. Serenity is an inner peace that is independent of external events. It often is desired by persons near death. 2. Information about nursing interventions to facilitate clients' serenity, however, is missing from the literature. 3. In the study presented, pain control, therapeutic touch, and assisting clients to build trust were the three highest-ranked interventions on both effectiveness and frequency of use.