Helping Persons Experiencing Homelessness Complete Advance Directives: A Model for Service Learning within a Community-Academic Partnership

Authors

  • Woods Nash University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston
  • Sandra J Mixer College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0469-8963
  • Annette Mendola University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville
  • Polly M. McArthur Polly M. McArthur PhD, RN is a retired clinical assistant professor, at the College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her forty-year career was devoted to serving persons/families in rural and underserved communities.
  • Kylie Jackson University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville
  • Bruce W. Spangler Volunteer Ministry Center
  • Merrell Pressley Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
  • Caroline Darlington University of Tennessee Medical Center
  • Erin Conely Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Keywords:

cultural competence, interprofessional, homeless persons, advance care planning

Abstract

Despite their interest in completing advance directives (ADs), persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) appear to have fewer surrogate decision-makers and limited opportunities for advance care planning (ACP). Nursing students and faculty, a hospital bioethicist, and social service agency staff formed a community-academic partnership that helps PEH complete ADs. This unique service-learning opportunity offers a model for assisting vulnerable populations with ACP. Model effectiveness and limitations are described from each partner’s perspective in their own words.  

Author Biographies

Woods Nash, University of Texas Health Science Center – Houston

Woods Nash is an instructor in the Medicine and Society program at the University of Houston, Honors College. He also teaches in family medicine and psychiatry at McGovern Medical School in Houston.

Sandra J Mixer, College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Sandra J. Mixer PhD, RN, CTN-A is associate professor at the College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research focuses on using community-academic-practice partnerships to promote health for vulnerable populations.

Annette Mendola, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville

Annette Mendola PhD, is the Director of Clinical Ethics and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Her research interests include clinical ethics, mental health ethics, and ethical issues with addiction.

Polly M. McArthur, Polly M. McArthur PhD, RN is a retired clinical assistant professor, at the College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her forty-year career was devoted to serving persons/families in rural and underserved communities.

Polly M. McArthur PhD, RN is a retired clinical assistant professor, at the College of Nursing, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her forty-year career was devoted to serving persons/families in rural and underserved communities.

Kylie Jackson, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville

Kylie H. Jackson BSN, RN, is a staff nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee College of Nursing and participated in the Nursing Honors Program.

Bruce W. Spangler, Volunteer Ministry Center

The Reverend Dr. Bruce W. Spangler is the CEO of the Volunteer Ministry Center. He is ordained in the United Methodist Church with degrees from the University of Tennessee (BA), Emory University (Master of Divinity) and Wesley Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry). He has been working with individuals experiencing homelessness in Knoxville since 2002 and has authored five books.

Merrell Pressley, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Merrell Linden Pressley graduated from the Chancellor's Honors Program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a bachelor's of science in nursing and a minor in Hispanic studies. She is now employed at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as a Registered Nurse.

Caroline Darlington, University of Tennessee Medical Center

Caroline Darlington BSN, RN received her undergraduate nursing degree in 2016 from the University of Tennessee’s College of Nursing where she participated in the Nursing Honors Program. She currently works as a Mother/Baby nurse at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Her research interests include HIV/AIDS and underserved women’s health.

Erin Conely, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Erin Conley received her bachelors of science in nursing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and is working as a travel Medical/Surgical oncology RN.

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Published

10/16/2018

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2018)

Section

Insights, Case Studies, and Applications

License

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