Evaluation of short-term education programs in rural southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Outcome and Evaluation: We reviewed the current curriculum to determine which courses would be the best fit for climate change and health education, where we noted that a freshman and a senior course had the most relevant course content. We incorporated short but relevant teaching points about climate change into these selected didactic and clinical courses. Within the first semester of implementation, all freshman nursing students and half of the senior class received one or more lectures on climate change and health.Additionally, we piloted climate change and health as the focus for a senior-level community health course. Topics addressed in this course included climate science, effects of climate change on food systems, environmental health issues and climate change within the social determinants of health. Students worked with a non-profit that addresses climate change in Detroit, collaborating on the development of fact sheets targeted towards community members about health issues related to climate change, specifically on mold due to flooding and on heat emergencies.Faculty development activities were also conducted. All faculty received information about climate science and health, curriculum insertion points, and resources for teaching climate change.Going Forward: Our goals are to collect pre and post education data, as well as to develop metrics that measure climate change and health knowledge. As frontline providers for illnesses and injuries stemming from climate change, nurses must be prepared to address these increasingly common health concerns. Climate health education is relevant for nursing education globally.