Using concept mapping to describe sources of information for public health and school nursing practice

Abstract

Concept-mapping methodology was used to construct a conceptual model of information access for public health and school nursing practice. Concept mapping is an integrated mixed-methods approach that combines familiar group processes with multivariate statistical analyses to represent a group’s understanding of a phenomenon. In this project, 36 public health and school nurses brainstormed 207 unique information sources that were collated and reduced to 57 sources to allow sorting of the statements. A subgroup of 25 public health (n = 16) and school nurses (n = 9) sorted and rated the 57 statements to generate an eight-cluster concept map. The two-dimensional concept map revealed a sophisticated multivariate framework of information access occurring within an intricate, interrelated network of human and data-driven sources that intersect with community and professionally focused systems. Clusters of information sources included those from community groups, healthcare providers, professional organisations, educational tools, state resources, online resources, surveillance data and government-based resources. Ratings of importance, credibility and usefulness by public health and school nurses revealed overall agreement; however, some important differences of specific sources were noted. More complex than previously described, the map represents sources, means of access and systems of health information available to community-based nurses that influence their practice.