Journal Article

Social determinants of health integration in an associate degree concept-based curriculum: A qualitative study

Cerio, Jennifer

2025

Overview

This study explored how Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) faculty integrate social determinants of health (SDOH) into concept-based curricula. SDOH play a critical role in population health, making their integration in nursing education vital. While SDOH are well-incorporated in baccalaureate programs, their presence in ADN concept-based curricula remains unclear. A generic qualitative design was used, employing reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). ADN faculty members (n = 12) were recruited through purposive sampling and participated in semi-structured, web-based interviews. Data were analyzed using manual coding and verified with MAXQDA software. Three key themes were identified: (1) curricular integration of SDOH, (2) faculty knowledge of SDOH and (3) faculty experiences with teaching SDOH. Integration varied across programs, with participants implementing diverse teaching strategies in the classroom, laboratory and clinical settings. Barriers included limited community-based clinical experiences and heavy faculty workloads. Participants identified essential resources for successful integration, including faculty collaboration, targeted professional development and institutional support. Resources to enhance student learning included simulations, guest speakers and expanded community clinical placements. ADN faculty play a pivotal role in integrating SDOH into concept-based curricula. Findings emphasize the need for consistent curricular alignment, increased faculty support and the development of community-based clinical experiences to better prepare students for addressing SDOH in nursing practice. •Integrating SDOH is a key priority for concept-based ADN programs.•This study explores how ADN faculty incorporate SDOH into classroom, lab, and clinical instruction.•ADN programs need stronger SDOH integration, faculty training, support, and experiential learning.

• Publisher: Elsevier Ltd,Elsevier Limited
• Subject: Access to Health Care / Accreditation / Active Learning / Activity Units / Adult / Associate degree / Associate degrees / Case Studies / Classrooms / Clinical experience / Clinical nursing / Clinical placements / College faculty / Community / Community Resources / Competence / Course Content / Critical Thinking / Cultural Pluralism / Curricula / Curriculum - trends / Curriculum development / Doctoral Degrees / Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - methods / Educational Experience / Educational Opportunities / Educational Strategies / Evaluative Thinking / Faculty, Nursing / Family Role / Female / Health / Health disparities / Health Promotion / Humans / Independent Study / Institutional aspects / Instructional Materials / Interviews / Interviews as Topic - methods / Learner Engagement / Learning / Male / Medical education / Medical Services / Nurses / Nursing / Nursing Education / Nursing education concept-based curriculum / Nursing faculty / Professional development / Professional practice / Professional training / Program implementation / Psychiatric-mental health nursing / Qualitative Research / Sampling / Social Determinants of Health / Social factors / Student Projects / Students / Teaching / Teaching methods / Workloads