ENGAGING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN ASTHMA EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Faculty Department
Nursing
Presentation Type
Powerpoint
Location
Reception Room
Start Date
25-2-2026 10:15 AM
End Date
25-2-2026 10:30 AM
Description (Abstract)
ENGAGING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN ASTHMA EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Objectives: This IRB-approved quality improvement study addresses the inequitable burden of childhood asthma by preparing nursing and respiratory students to deliver self-management education in the community. The nursing faculty at a small university in Nassau County, NY, developed Lung Force in collaboration with the American Lung Association and the nursing student association.
Background: Asthma is a concern in NY, where the current childhood prevalence is 9.6%. In Nassau County, NY, the burden is higher in children reporting Black race (11.4%) or Hispanic ethnicity (12.9%). Black race and Hispanic ethnicity are also associated with more emergency room visits.
Methods: Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) and an anonymous pre/post-survey were used to assess changes in learner confidence in peak flow, spacer/valved holding chamber, and asthma action plan. Through lecture and hands-on activities, students learn about the pathophysiology of asthma, triggers/remediation, medications/devices, and AAP. They are also trained to use the American Lung Association's Let’s Take Control of Asthma" Flip Chart.
Results: 433 students were trained during five education sessions; descriptive feedback informed rapid-cycle changes in PDSA cohorts 1-4; a pre-post survey was added to cohort 5. A shift in confidence was noted pre- versus post-training among students who participated in the survey (n=227). Respondents reported being fairly or completely confident in providing education on peak flow (87%), spacer/valved holding chamber (90%), and asthma action plan (85%).
Conclusions/Implications: Creating a student workforce magnified the American Lung Association's impact. Project results tell a story: training was effective, but more work is needed. Implementing evidence-based, no-cost health education programs for asthma self-management and distributing asthma supplies addresses inequities that children in high-burden communities face. Pre-licensure students gain confidence when interacting with the community and collaborating with local and national stakeholders. Leadership, advocacy, and clinical skills needed to address healthcare disparities in future practice are fostered through this collaboration.
Disclosures: None
Keywords
Asthma, Collaboration, Equity
Related Pillar(s)
Community, Service, Study
ENGAGING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN ASTHMA EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Reception Room
ENGAGING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN ASTHMA EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Objectives: This IRB-approved quality improvement study addresses the inequitable burden of childhood asthma by preparing nursing and respiratory students to deliver self-management education in the community. The nursing faculty at a small university in Nassau County, NY, developed Lung Force in collaboration with the American Lung Association and the nursing student association.
Background: Asthma is a concern in NY, where the current childhood prevalence is 9.6%. In Nassau County, NY, the burden is higher in children reporting Black race (11.4%) or Hispanic ethnicity (12.9%). Black race and Hispanic ethnicity are also associated with more emergency room visits.
Methods: Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) and an anonymous pre/post-survey were used to assess changes in learner confidence in peak flow, spacer/valved holding chamber, and asthma action plan. Through lecture and hands-on activities, students learn about the pathophysiology of asthma, triggers/remediation, medications/devices, and AAP. They are also trained to use the American Lung Association's Let’s Take Control of Asthma" Flip Chart.
Results: 433 students were trained during five education sessions; descriptive feedback informed rapid-cycle changes in PDSA cohorts 1-4; a pre-post survey was added to cohort 5. A shift in confidence was noted pre- versus post-training among students who participated in the survey (n=227). Respondents reported being fairly or completely confident in providing education on peak flow (87%), spacer/valved holding chamber (90%), and asthma action plan (85%).
Conclusions/Implications: Creating a student workforce magnified the American Lung Association's impact. Project results tell a story: training was effective, but more work is needed. Implementing evidence-based, no-cost health education programs for asthma self-management and distributing asthma supplies addresses inequities that children in high-burden communities face. Pre-licensure students gain confidence when interacting with the community and collaborating with local and national stakeholders. Leadership, advocacy, and clinical skills needed to address healthcare disparities in future practice are fostered through this collaboration.
Disclosures: None
Short Biography
Loren Dempsey, DNP, RN, PPCNP-BC, AE-C, is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the Hagan School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Molloy University, and a pediatric nurse practitioner at NYU Langone Hospital, Long Island. She has cared for people throughout their lifespan. In her current role, she provides primary care for high-needs teens enrolled in a school-based health clinic. She is a certified asthma educator and a long-standing member of the American Lung Association’s Collegiate Partner Committee. She works with the American Lung Association to support the NYS Children’s Asthma Initiative to implement evidence-based asthma education programs in high-needs schools. She uses her expertise to inform and educate policymakers about the problem of asthma. She has extended this work to the Molloy community by founding the Molloy Lung Force Team, a group of nursing and respiratory therapy students and faculty certified to implement asthma education programs in schools, on the Mother Cabrini Van, and in the community.
Dr. Dempsey holds a DNP from Chamberlain University, an MA from New Your University, and a BSN from Binghamton University.