UMSN Researchers Win 2012 Scholarly Writing Award
The annual Journal of School Nursing (JOSN)/SAGE award recognizes excellence in writing and significant contribution to nursing.
“We have developed a new way to talk with young people about sexual risks that helps them reflect on their behavior and make healthy choices,” says Kristy K. Martyn, Ph.D., RN, CPNP-PC, FNP-BC, a University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN) associate professor. Dr. Martyn was the principal investigator on the research for the article “Improving Sexual Communication with Adolescents Using Event History Calendars,” published in the JOSN April 2012 issue.
“Better communication leads to better diagnosis and better treatment,” said Dr. Martyn. “This is groundbreaking and innovative research that improves communication with adolescents, often a population that is difficult to engage, about sensitive issues important to their health.”
Thirty sexually active male and female adolescents filled out an event history calendar (EHC) before their visit with a nurse practitioner (NP). The patients were asked to answer questions about their sexual behavior, positive and negative events in their life, and behaviors like use of drugs and alcohol. The researchers found that the EHC helped facilitate overall communication between the patient and the NP, as well as specific communication regarding sexual behavior.
According to the article, “The adolescents... liked the fact that this approach allowed them to talk with NPs about other important things, like their life history and their goals. In addition, the EHC allowed them to better see their own risk behaviors in the context of the rest of their life.”
Dr. Martyn’s UMSN co-investigators were Clinical Assistant Professor Cynthia Darling-Fisher, Ph.D., FNP-BC, Clinical Assistant Professor Michelle Pardee, DNP, FNP-BC, who also functioned as a provider participant, Research Scientist David Ronis, Ph.D, Research Assistant Irene Felicetti, and Melissa Saftner, Ph.D., CNM, RN, then a doctoral student.
“Adolescents are particularly tricky to reach, and this research project gives us a tool to connect with our patients and help them improve their health,” said Dr. Saftner.
"As the research assistant for the project, I found this innovative research to be beneficial for all parties including the adolescent participants, clinic team, and research team," said Ms. Felicetti.
Dr. Martyn was motivated by the success of that study and is now extending the research in a currently funded study evaluating the effect of EHC clinical assessment on sexually active adolescents’ cognitive appraisal of risk, sexual risk behavior and intentions, and quality of communication with NPs and physicians.
The annual 2012 Scholarly Writing Award-winning paper was chosen by the JOSN/SAGE Executive Editor and Editorial Advisory Board. The award will be presented in June.
The study was funded by Michigan Center for Health Intervention (MICHIN)/National Institutes of Health (P30 NR009000): Evaluation of Adolescent Risk Event History Calendars (EHC), for a Phase II pilot study.
