Ensign, Josephine
Institution: University of Washington, Seattle
Grant Title: Measuring
Quality of Care for Homeless Adolescents
Grant Number: K08 HS011414
Duration: 4 years (2001-2005)
Total Award: $405,500
Project Description: This research will examine
factors necessary for monitoring access and quality of primary health care for
homeless youth. A qualitative component
of the study includes narrative interviews and focus groups with homeless youth. This is complemented by development of
process and outcome measures of quality health care using a modified Delphi
technique. Finally, the research will
include a pilot study of existing youth health-related quality of life
instruments that are deemed appropriate to this population based on results of
the previous research components.
Career Goals: Dr. Ensign is an Assistant
Professor in the Department of Psychosocial and Community Health in the School of Nursing at the University of Washington. Her past research has been
clinically-based and descriptive and is concerned with how to monitor access
and quality of care for homeless and at-risk youth. Her goals are to be able to analyze and
evaluate policies that impact the health of homeless youth, as well as be
knowledgeable of effective political advocacy work.
Progress to Date: Dr. Ensign has completed both
her formal coursework and data.
Future Plans: Dr. Ensign will develop
manuscripts for professional publication and submit applications for federal
research funding.
Highlights and Specific Accomplishments:
- Professional Societies:
- American Public Health Association, Caucuses on Homelessness and International Health member.
- International Council on Women's Health Issues member.
- American Association of University Women member.
- Attended National Health Care for the Homeless
Conference, Health Policy Workshop, June 2003.
- Attended Academy for Health Services Research and
Health Policy, Seminars in Health Services Research Methods, Qualitative
Research Methods in Health Services Research.
- Third Annual Forum for Improving Children's
Health Care, Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Training Seminar.
- Work with University of Washington's Carlson
Leadership Center to develop a new interdisciplinary and service learning
course entitle "Homeless Youth: Critical and International Perspectives,
and will teach in Spring Quarter with Director of the Seattle Youth
Children's Home SafeLinks and StreetLinks program, one of the research
sites for this grant.
- Mentor and supervise undergraduate and graduate
students in the Schools of Nursing and Public Health and Community
Medicine.
- Serve as a faculty preceptor on the SafeLinks
medical van, supervising medical, physician assistant and nurse
practitioner students providing street-based health care to Seattle homeless youth.
- Served as expert advisory panel committee member
for National Health Care for the Homeless Council to develop a monograph
on health care for homeless young adults ages 18-24, sponsored by the
Bureau of Primary Health Care, for publication and distribution at the
national meeting, June 2004.
K-Generated Publications:
- Ensign J. Ethical Issues in Qualitative Health Research with Homeless Youth. Journal of Advanced Nursing 2003 Jul;43(1):45-50.
- Ensign J, Bell M. Illness Experiences of Homeless Youth. Qualitative Health Research 2004 Nov;14(9):1239-54.
- Ensign J. Quality of Health Care: The Views of Homeless Youth. Health Services Research 2004 Aug;39(4 Pt 1):695-707.
AHRQ Research Portfolios: Quality and Patient Safety; Socio-economics of Health
Care; Training.
AHRQ Goals: Quality and Patient Safety
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