Dr. Skelton earned a doctorate degree in nursing from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Her doctoral studies focused on reducing barriers to kidney transplant in underrepresented minorities, focusing on removing barriers in the application process and client education. Dr. Skelton has been a faculty at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville School of Nursing since 2006. She has taught undergraduate students from freshman to senior levels with courses ranging from Freshman transition to university studies, Nursing Professionalism, Foundations, Pharmacology, Leadership, and NCLEX preparation. Since 2014, she has been the student success coordinator working with nursing students to reduce student attrition rates by providing individualized support improving confidence and success at completing the program and passing the NCLEX RN examination.
Designing and Applying Best Practices for Patient Education in Underserved Communities
Many patients are from underrepresented, marginalized, low-income communities where barriers such as socioeconomic status and culture impede access to quality healthcare. To help patients and families navigate their healthcare needs and make informed decisions about their care, especially in cases of donation and transplantation, it’s critical for healthcare providers to use patient education materials that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Well-designed DEI patient education invites all populations to the table and aids in breaking down these barriers and empowers Hospitals, OPOs, and Transplant Centers to help their patients and families make informed decisions about their loved one’s care. This webinar is intended to help healthcare professionals create well-designed patient education and information materials that will increase patient trust and community connections, advocate for greater affordability, and provide healthcare options.