Research Assistance

This document has been reviewed by Dr. Robert Metzger who has verified IRB Approval for this study. 

June 2nd, 2015
Dear Colleague,
Little information is currently available on how nurse practitioners and physician assistants are approaching adolescent sexual health assessments. As more NPs and PAs fill the physician shortage in primary care, assessment of current trends in approaching adolescent sexual health will provide valuable information to describe this important area of adolescent health care.

You are invited to complete a 30-question research survey titled, "Provider Practice Approach to Adolescent Sexual Health Assessments." This survey should take approximately 20 minutes of your time. Your answers will be completely anonymous and consent is implied by your participation. You may access the anonymous survey at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/6SZFY52

This research is part of my Capstone project in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Old Dominion University. Your input is important in providing information on how nurse practitioners and physician assistants approach adolescent sexual health assessments in outpatient clinics and to identify any barriers in meeting Healthy People 2020 goals specific to adolescent preventative health.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your participation!

Sincerely,
Jaime Callaghan, FNP-BC
DNP Student, Old Dominion University
Email: jhart020@odu.edu
Rebecca Poston
Faculty ODU
Email: rdeal@odu.edu

The abstract follows:

Running head: CAPSTONE ABSTRACT POSTON.CALLAGHAN 1
Provider Practice Approach to Adolescent Sexual Health Assessments

Abstract
Problem. The United States has the highest teenage pregnancy rate among industrialized countries and half of all sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur within the 15-24 year old population (American Medical Association, 2014). No studies were found that described nurse practitioner (NP) and physician assistant (PA) approach toward assessing adolescent sexual health.

Purpose. The purpose of this project is to describe NP and PA practice approaches used to obtain adolescent sexual health assessments within the 10 to 19 year old population.
EBP Questions. RQ1. Is there a relationship between the likelihood that a provider will obtain an adolescent sexual health assessment and the modifying factors associated with their professional designation (nurse practitioner versus physician assistant)? RQ2. How often are nurse practitioners and physician assistants obtaining adolescent sexual health assessments during routine healthcare visits? RQ3. Is there a relationship between perceived barriers to action and the likelihood that a nurse practitioner or physician assistant will conduct a sexual health assessment? RQ4. What tools, protocols, guidelines, and assessment tools are nurse practitioners and physician assistants using to obtain adolescent sexual health assessments?

Method: This prospective study will use a descriptive correlational design. A survey will be delivered in an email via a SurveyMonkey© link to NPs and PAs utilizing snowball sampling. The target sample size will be 50 NPs and 50 PAs. Open enrollment will continue within a two tier eight-week timeframe.

Outcomes: The primary objective is to describe NP and PA approaches toward routine adolescent sexual health assessments in non-urgent, non-specialty outpatient settings.
Significance: This study will help shed light on the current practice approach utilized by these healthcare providers and identify current barriers and resources used in obtaining adolescent sexual health assessments.

If you are willing to complete this research study, please follow the PDF file to complete the survey.