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This study explicated the theory underpinning the Human Ecology Practicum Program offered in the Department of Human Ecology at the University of Alberta. The program has operated for 40 years but never been formally evaluated. Using a document analysis, focus group and individual interviews, and a stakeholder working group, we explored stakeholder perspectives on the purpose, design, and logic of the program. Findings indicated a common understanding among stakeholders about the fundamental purpose and design of the program, and about the mechanisms by which design features lead to program goals. Findings were used to develop the theory of the Human Ecology Practicum Program. In addition to providing a case example of practicum program theory development, our study demonstrates the value of involving stakeholders in theory development and supports the articulation of program theory as part of course planning and evaluation within postsecondary education programs.

Public health nurses must advocate healthy public policy. The education of these nurses should include learning experiences such as analysis of population health issues, environmental scanning, letters to editors or legislators, and practicum activities that develop awareness of public policy. (SK)

A study shows that a positive correlation exists between the encountered number of drinking harms and probability of involvement in treatments. Experiences of problems at work, employment and education usually get treated immediately. The self-help groups are generally consulted before seeking treatments. The study took a sample of 1954 individuals with experience of at least one harmful effect of drinking. To evaluate the relationships Chi-square tests were conducted.

Background: Increasing access to health and social services through service-integration approaches may provide a direct and sustainable way to improve health and social outcomes in low-income families.Methods: We did a community-based randomized trial evaluating the effects of two service-integration practices (healthy family lifestyle and recreational activities for children) among low-income families in Alberta, Canada. These two practices in combination formed four groups: Self-Directed (no intervention), Family Healthy Lifestyle, Family Recreation, and Comprehensive (Family Healthy Lifestyle plus Family Recreation programs). The primary outcome was the total number of service linkages.Results: We randomized 1168 families, 50 % of which were retained through the last follow-up visit. The number of service linkages for all three intervention groups was not significantly different from the number of linkages in the Self-Directed group (Comprehensive 1.15 (95 % CI 0.98-1.35), Family Healthy Lifestyle 1.17 (0.99-1.38), and Family Recreation 1.12 (0.95-1.32) rate ratios). However, when we explored the number of linkages by the categories of linkages, we found significantly more healthcare service linkages in the Comprehensive group compared to the Self-Directed group (1.27 (1.06-1.51)) and significantly more linkages with child-development services in the Family Healthy Lifestyle group compared to the Self-Directed group (3.27 (1.59-6.74)). The monthly hours of direct intervention was much lower than the assigned number of hours (ranging from 5 to 32 % of the assigned hours).Conclusions: Our findings are relevant to two challenges faced by policymakers and funders. First, if funds are to be expended on service-integration approaches, then, given the lack of intervention fidelity found in this study, policymakers need to insist, and therefore fund a) a well-described practice, b) auditing of that practice, c) retention of family participants, and d) examination of family use and outcomes. Second, if child-development services are widely required and are difficult for low-income families to access, then current policy needs to be examined.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00705328 . Registered on 24 June 2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]