Issues and Trends

in Health Education

EDRELYN VENTURANZA
 Background Information
• Change is constant; things will continue
to change

• Predicting the future is risky business

• No one knows what the future will hold

 Then → Now

• Then: Traditional approach –

objectives with closely orchestrated
learning experiences; faculty
controlled
• Now: Competencies and outcomes;
focus on “end product”; faculty-
student collaborative learning
process
External Forces & Issues Driving
Nursing Education

• MDG’s
• Global issues
- global violence
- demographic changes
- technological advances
- globalization
- environmental challenges
 Internal Forces & Issues
Driving Nursing Education

• WHO Standards for Basic Nursing

Education (2009)
• Nursing care delivery systems
• Nursing shortage
• New and emerging degrees
• 21 competencies for the 21st century
(Bellack & O’Neil, 2000)
Societal Trends
• Much change since 1960, e.g., rights of
various groups, ethical concerns, reliance on
technology
• Technology – improved quality of life; will
impact us more than ever; health educator will
need skills
• Family structure will continue to change –
traditional family is less common; postmodern
family has many variations; health educators
will need to operate on new set of norms
Societal Trends (con’t.)
• Political climate – frustration with politics &
politicians; various views – conservative,
moderate, liberal; health & politics linked;
advocacy will become more important for
health educators
• Medical care – erosion of power in medical
care establishment; impact of lifestyle; many
uninsured; increase in managed care; costs
continue to rise; change is needed; health
educators can help
The Future of Professional
Preparation (Clark, 1994)

• Become more analytical thinkers

• More partnerships & collaboration
• Analyze situations & examine trends;
more long-term thinking
• Greater emphasis on value clarification;
understanding impact of culture
• Delivering multilevel interventions; more
population-based interventions
The Future of Professional
Preparation (con’t.) (Clark, 1994)

• Enhanced need for quality research to

show effectiveness
• Incorporate more technology into practice
• Need to use schools as a point of delivery
of services
• More environmental activism
• Success of health education judged by
improvement in the quality of life
The Future of Professional
Preparation (con’t.)

In summary, health educators will

need to be able to respond rapidly
to changes in all avenues of society.
The Future of
Credentialing
Health
Educators
• Current eligibility for entry-level based
academic preparation
• Generic vs. setting-specific certification;
sub-special certifications?
• Needed for reimbursement of services
• Skills vs. content
• “Here to stay”
• Seriously consider the CHES credential
Implications for Practice
Settings
• School
– Children learn best when they are healthy
– Better coordinated school health programs
with emphasis on school health services
– Special skills needed
• Worksite
– Health promotion/education as a fringe
benefit
– Keep employees (& their families) healthy in
order to keep production high & reduce the
cost of health insurance
 Implications for Practice
Settings (con’t.)
• Community/Public Health
– Large variety in the work; purpose to monitor
& improve health of those they serve
– Work more collaboratively; form more
coalitions; advocate for policies
• Health care
– Variety of health facilities (i.e., hospitals,
HMOs, clinics) receptive to health educators
– Health education is necessary for quality
health care
 Alternative Setting
Opportunities
• Postsecondary institutions
• Combining health education & journalism
• International health education (e.g., Peace
Corps)
• Sales (e.g., medical supplies,
pharmaceuticals)
• Long-term care & retirement communities
• Entrepreneurial & consultant roles
 Direction
Health
Education
Must Take (Seffrin,
1997)

• Must be a major player in keeping people

Healthy
• Collaborate with other health
professionals
• Strive for greater professional solidarity
• Advocate for those who do not have a
voice
 Future Trends & Issues in
Nursing Education
 Increased collaboration between nursing practice and
nursing education
 Increased emphasis on collaboration between
healthcare disciplines
 Increased development of educational products for
faculty and students
 Increased student and nurse mobility (including
increased licensure mobility)
 Increased distance (online) learning
 Schools of nursing providing ongoing professional
development for competence requirements
 Increased teaching of evidence-based practice.