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Instructions of NURS-6050N-27 5-1 Discussion: The Role of the Rn/Aprn in Policy Evaluation
THE ROLE OF THE RN/APRN IN POLICY EVALUATION
In the Module 4 Discussion, you considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making. A critical component of any policy design is evaluation of the results. How comfortable are you with the thought of becoming involved with such matters?
Some nurses may be hesitant to get involved with policy evaluation. The preference may be to focus on the care and well-being of their patients; some nurses may feel ill-equipped to enter the realm of policy and political activities. However, as you have examined previously, who better to advocate for patients and effective programs and polices than nurses? Already patient advocates in interactions with doctors and leadership, why not with government and regulatory agencies?
In this Discussion, you will reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To Prepare:
In the Module 4 Discussion, you considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making.
Review the Resources and reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 9
Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.
Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.
Post an evaluation topic and a brief description of the evaluation. Discuss how social determinants impact this issue.
BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 9
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.
Step-By-Step Guide NURS-6050N-27 5-1 Discussion
INTRODUCTION TO NURS-6050N-27 5-1 Discussion The Role Of The Rn/Aprn In Policy Evaluation
This NURS-6050N-27 5-1 Discussion: The Role of the Rn/Aprn in Policy Evaluation assignment involves writing a discussion post where you will evaluate an existing healthcare program or policy. The objective is to analyse the effectiveness of the program or policy by reviewing the criteria used in its evaluation and discussing how social determinants impact the issue. This Owlisdom guide provides a structured approach to completing the assignment effectively.
Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation, or choose one of interest to you.
SELECTING AND DESCRIBING A HEALTHCARE PROGRAM OR POLICY
- Choose a relevant healthcare program or policy.
- Provide a brief background and description of the program or policy.
Example
I have selected the evaluation of the Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a significant healthcare policy to review. Medicaid Expansion was implemented to increase healthcare access for low-income individuals by broadening Medicaid eligibility to include adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level (Goldman & Sommers, 2020). The policy has been a critical tool in reducing the number of uninsured Americans and improving access to necessary healthcare services.
Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.
DISCUSSING THE EVALUATION CRITERIA
- Identify the criteria used in the evaluation.
- Discuss the outcomes measured by these criteria.
Example
The effectiveness of Medicaid Expansion has been measured through various criteria, including changes in health insurance coverage rates, healthcare access, utilisation of healthcare services, and health outcomes. Studies have shown that states that expanded Medicaid saw greater reductions in uninsured rates compared to non-expansion states (Toyoda et al., 2020). Additionally, these states reported improved access to primary care, more regular checkups, and increased prescription medication use, factors that are critical in managing chronic diseases and improving overall health.
Discuss how social determinants impact this issue.
ANALYSING THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL DETERMINANTS
- Identify relevant social determinants.
- Explain how these determinants influence the effectiveness of the program or policy.
Example
Social determinants of health, such as income, employment, and educational opportunities, play a significant role in this evaluation. Medicaid Expansion directly addresses the income barrier by providing health coverage to lower-income individuals, which can lead to better health outcomes and reduced health disparities. For instance, access to healthcare allows individuals to receive preventive services and early treatment, which can reduce the severity of diseases and the need for emergency healthcare services.
However, the impact of social determinants extends beyond just access to healthcare. For example, individuals in lower-income brackets might still face challenges such as transportation to healthcare facilities, the ability to take time off work for medical visits, or even understanding and navigating the healthcare system. These factors must be considered when evaluating the effectiveness of Medicaid Expansion and similar policies.
Involvement in policy evaluation like this allows nurses to utilise their firsthand experience with patient care to advocate for effective programs and policies that address not only the medical but also the social needs of patients. By engaging in policy evaluation, nurses can help ensure that health policies are not only effectively implemented but are also successful in achieving their intended health outcomes.
REFERENCES
Goldman, A. L., & Sommers, B. D. (2020). Among Low-Income Adults Enrolled In Medicaid, Churning Decreased After The Affordable Care Act: This study examines whether the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid eligibility had an impact on coverage disruptions – known as “churning” – among Medicaid enrollees. Health Affairs, 39(1), 85–93. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00378
Toyoda, Y., Oh, E. J., Premaratne, I. D., Chiuzan, C., & Rohde, C. H. (2020). Affordable Care Act state-specific Medicaid expansion: Impact on health insurance coverage and breast cancer screening rate. Journal of the American College of Surgeons, 230(5), 775–783.
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.
RESPONSES
- Read and understand your colleagues’ posts.
- Offer insightful suggestions or constructive feedback.
- Ensure your responses are respectful and supported by evidence.
Example
Hello Rosemary,
You raise a crucial point about the challenges nurses face when stepping into policy evaluation roles due to perceived gaps in their training. One effective way to address this challenge is through targeted educational programs that focus specifically on health policy and evaluation. Nursing schools and professional organisations could offer workshops, seminars, or continuing education courses that provide nurses with the tools and knowledge needed to effectively participate in policy evaluation. Additionally, health institutions can establish partnerships with policy experts or academic institutions to facilitate mentorship programs where experienced policy analysts mentor nurses. This hands-on experience could significantly boost nurses’ confidence and competence in engaging with policy evaluation and advocacy.
Hi Gerry,
Time constraints are indeed a significant barrier for nurses wishing to engage more deeply in policy evaluation. To mitigate this, healthcare organisations could consider recognising policy engagement as part of job responsibilities, potentially offering dedicated time or even incentives for these activities. For instance, creating roles or committees within the organisation focused on policy could allow interested nurses to participate during work hours without sacrificing patient care duties. Furthermore, advocating for policy work to be recognised as part of professional development could encourage more nurses to participate, knowing that their contributions to policy are valued and supported at institutional levels. Such structural changes could help integrate policy evaluation more seamlessly into the nursing role, ensuring that nurses have a more substantial impact on shaping healthcare policies.
CLOSING
Following NURS-6050N-27 5-1 Discussion: The Role of the Rn/Aprn in Policy Evaluation guidelines, you can effectively complete the discussion assignment, demonstrate a thorough understanding of the healthcare program or policy evaluation, and contribute meaningfully to the class dialogue. This approach ensures a comprehensive and insightful analysis of healthcare policies, considering both evaluation criteria and social determinants of health. In the next module of NURS-6050N-27, we will explore the 5-2 ASSESSING A HEALTHCARE PROGRAM/POLICY EVALUATION.
