Week 11 Discussion: Policy and Practice
The increasing prevalence of obesity is a public health issue and requires effective policy interventions at state and federal levels. The obesity rates have been rising steadily irrespective of the different policies enacted, implemented and adopted at different levels of government (Tiwari & Balasundaram, 2021). Many stakeholders are working collaboratively to develop the most effective approaches and policy interventions to reduce obesity. A multifaceted approach by policymakers can reverse these trends and enable affected individuals and families to attain the benefits of better health (Congdon, 2019). These policies focus on reforms in food advertisement, changes in daily diet, creation of sufficient physical spaces and amenities to encourage physical exercise and activities and creation of public awareness and information as well as changes in attitudes from a cultural perspective on body image. For instance, research demonstrates that certain ethnic and racial groups consider fat individuals as a measure of health and wellness. Among these groups, overweight and obese individuals are not in danger of any health risk since their bodies are an illustration of good health. The implication is that such attitudes have a detrimental effect on individuals who naturally should cut weight to reduce their susceptibility to disease conditions.
Developing individual and community based approaches to the issue of obesity can result into better outcomes and reduce the current high rates of the disease (Martins, 2018). Further, a multifaceted approach as discussed is important as it allows all stakeholders to be part of the solution. The resulting implication for nursing practice and health care users is that without sufficient information and awareness as well as resources, obesity will continue to exert considerable cost burden on care delivery. Nurses are patient advocates and should be at the forefront in provision of information and creation of awareness to help consumers make better eating and dieting decisions.
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References
Congdon, P. (2019). Obesity and urban environments. International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, 16(3), 464. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16030464.
Martins, A. P. B. (2018). Obesity must be treated as a public health issue. Revista de
Administração de Empresas, 58, 337-341. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-759020180312
Tiwari, A., & Balasundaram, P. (2021). Public Health Considerations Regarding Obesity. In
StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.
Week 11: Policy and Practice
As noted in Understanding Health Policy, “policies tend to evolve in a cyclical process of finding solutions that create new problems that require new solutions,” (p. 205). The tensions created by the pulls between quality care and cost containment, for instance, or between caring for the individual and concern with the common good, arise as new policies are introduced at all levels: national, state, local, and institutional. When this occurs, new procedures may need to be implemented in the practice setting.
This week, you will reflect on the implications of health care policies for consumers and health care providers. You will also consider the reciprocal relationship between policy and practice as you explore how policy influences nursing practice and how evidence-based nursing practice influences policy. Additionally, you will propose a strategy for how nurses can advocate for themselves, their patients, and the profession through involvement in health care policy.
Note: This week you will complete the Discussion in a small group. Your instructor will notify you of your group assignment by Day 1 of this week.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Assess the implications of various policy options and solutions to consumers of health care and nursing practice
- Outline current evidence that supports suggested options and solutions to a policy issue
- Propose an advocacy strategy nurses may employ to address a practice issue through the policy process
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Bodenheimer, T., & Grumbach, K. (2020). Understanding health policy: A clinical approach (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
- Chapter 17, “Conclusion: Tensions and Challenges”
This chapter concludes with final thoughts on the challenge of providing quality health care and controlling health care costs. The solution is likely to be resolved only by a collaborative approach, involving all health care stakeholders, and by health professionals taking the lead.
The authors studied the dissemination of information on the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA), a federal act that affords protection to those reporting medical errors. They found medical literature to be inadequate in this regard, and as a result, medical personnel were uninformed on their legal protections. This lack of information has become a barrier to policy implementation.
The authors study the compliance to renal-care policies by health care professionals. They conclude with the necessity for nurses to support evidence-based protocols as well as to obtain continuing education on new protocols.
The author proposes that nurses, as patient advocates, need to be more involved in the making of health care policy instead of reacting to policies that are constantly changing. The article provides a guide to help organize initial policy efforts.
The article cites geronotological nurses as examples of those who are able to translate research into policy briefs that can be clearly understood by policy makers. Geronotological nurses are in this unique position because of their clinical experience and educational background.
This article provides details on a study conducted in a nurse-managed clinic related to the changing roles of nurses. The authors found that nurses, in response to social, political, and economic forces, became involved in advocacy for the clinic through political action, government funding issues, and media relations roles.
The author uses the efforts by a nurse advocate in lobbying for an Oregon bill related to healthy food in public schools to illustrate nurse advocacy and policy making. The bill, developed in response to childhood obesity, did not immediately become law. The author concludes with the importance of considering the political environment when creating successful policy.
Nurses have always been advocates at the patient-level of care, but the authors of this article promote the need for all nurses to become advocates at the policy level as well. They discuss factors that have kept nurses from getting involved with policy making and they provide strategies to resolve these challenges.
The author presents information on two nurses who have become health care policy advocates—one as a policy maker and one as an elected legislator. Both have been able to use their perspectives from their nursing careers to affect health policy.
The authors attempt to distinguish the concepts of advocating for a patient and paternalism, or overriding a patient’s wishes. They provide clinical examples to illustrate the differences between these concepts, and they conclude with strategies to use in practice.
Required Media
Walden University, LLC. (Executive Producer). (2011). Healthcare policy and advocacy: Advocating through policy. Baltimore: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 7 minutes.
In this media presentation, Dr. Joan Stanley and Dr. Kathleen White discuss how nurses can influence practice and engage in advocacy through the policy process.
Optional Resources
Birnbaum, D. (2009). North American perspectives: POA, HAC and never events. Clinical Governance: An International Journal, 14(3), 242–244.
Discussion 1: Policy Analysis Summary
Health care policy can facilitate or impede the delivery of services. For the past several weeks, you have been engaging in an authentic activity by critically analyzing a specific health care policy and various aspects of the impact associated with its implementation. A critical step in the policy process is communicating your findings with others. This week, you will share information from your policy analysis and its implications.
To prepare:
- Briefly summarize your policy analysis, focusing on the implications for clinical practice that may be most relevant or interesting for your colleagues. Include how evidence-based practice influenced the policy, policy options, or solutions.
By Day 3
Post a 1- to 2-paragraph succinct summary of your policy analysis paper. Include at least two of the options or solutions for addressing the policy and the resulting implications for nursing practice and health care consumers.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
By Day 5
Respond to at least two of your colleagues sharing insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence, and the practice implications of the policy.
Note: Please see the Syllabus and Discussion Rubric for formal Discussion question posting and response evaluation criteria.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you learned and/or any insights you gained as a result of the comments made by your colleagues.
Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and any additional sources.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
Week 11 Discussion 1 Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 11 Discussion 1
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy
As noted by Dr. Stanley and Dr. White in this week’s media presentation, professional nurses should be engaging in advocacy efforts to improve health and nursing practice through involvement in the policy process at the institutional, local, state, or federal levels. This array of possibilities for involvement provides opportunities for all nurses, regardless of time, or other possible constraints. Successful policy making is a collaborative effort, and one that commands mutual respect from all involved. Your involvement in policy making can lead to expanded opportunities as both a nurse leader and as a respected member of an interprofessional health care team.
Note: This Discussion provides a forum for discussing advocacy opportunities and honing your presentation skills in a small group setting.
To prepare:
- Reflect on the insights offered by Dr. Stanley and Dr. White on engaging in advocacy through the policy process.
- Identify a practice issue that is of interest to you and that could benefit from advocacy efforts through the policy process.
- Consider the stakeholders and any special interest or professional organizations that would support your issue.
- Develop a short, yet persuasive PowerPoint (up to 3 slides) as follows:
- Identify the practice issue that would benefit from being addressed through the policy process
- Represent the key stakeholders (i.e. use graphical images when possible)
- Propose one strategy for how a nurse could advocate for this issue
The PowerPoint should be succinct, visually appealing, and effective.
By Day 4
Post your PowerPoint presentation.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
By Day 6
Review each group member’s PowerPoint presentation and offer constructive feedback on:
- Style and quality of the PowerPoint
- Persuasiveness
- Clarity
- Representation of stakeholders, such as additional individuals/groups that could be included
- Strategy proposal
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you learned and/or any insights you gained as a result of the comments made by your colleagues.
Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and any additional sources.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
Week 11 Discussion 2 Rubric
Post by Day 4 and Respond by Day 6
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 11 Discussion 2
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Assignment 3: Policy Analysis Paper [Major Assessment]
Continue to work on this Assignment, assigned in Week 4. You will need to incorporate any related topics addressed this week. Your policy analysis paper is due by Day 7 of this week.
By Day 7
Submit this Assignment.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
- Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK11Assgn3+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
- Click the Week 11 Assignment 3 Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
- Click the Week 11 Assignment 3 link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
- Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK11Assgn3+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
- If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
- Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
Grading Criteria
Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity
To check your Assignment draft for authenticity:
Submit your Week 11 Assignment 3 draft and review the originality report.
Submit Your Assignment by Day 7
To submit your Assignment:
Week 11 Assignment 3
Week in Review
In this final week, you assessed implications of various policy options and solutions of health care and nursing practice and outlined evidence that supports suggested options and solutions to a policy issue. You also proposed and advocacy strategy that nurses may employ to address a practice issue through the policy process.
Congratulations! After you have finished all of the assignments for this week, you have completed the course. Please submit your Course Evaluation by Day 7.
NURS_8100_Week11_Discussion2_Rubric
| Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |
| RESPONSIVENESS TO DISCUSSION QUESTION
Discussion post minimum requirements: *The original posting must be completed by Wednesday, Day 3, at 11:59pm MST. Two response postings to two different peer original posts, on two different days, are required by Saturday, Day 6, at 11:59pm MST. Faculty member inquiries require responses, which are not included in the minimum number of posts. Your Discussion Board postings should be written in standard edited English and follow APA style for format and grammar as closely as possible given the constraints of the online platform. Be sure to support the postings with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources as well as resources available through the Walden University online databases. Refer to the Essential Guide to APA Style for Walden Students to ensure your in-text citations and reference list are correct. |
Points Range: 8 (26.67%) – 8 (26.67%)
Discussion postings and responses exceed the requirements of the Discussion instructions. They: Respond to the question being asked or the prompt provided; – Go beyond what is required in some meaningful way (e.g., the post contributes a new dimension, unearths something unanticipated); -Are substantive, reflective, with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings and current credible evidence. – Demonstrate significant ability to generalize and extend thinking and evaluate theories or concepts within the topic or context of the discussion. -Demonstrate that the student has read, viewed, and considered the Learning -Resources as well as additional resources and has read, viewed, or considered a sampling of colleagues’ postings; -Exceed the minimum requirements for discussion posts*. |
Points Range: 7 (23.33%) – 7 (23.33%)
Discussion postings and responses meet the requirements of the Discussion instructions. They: -Respond to the question being asked or the prompt provided; -Are substantive, reflective, with critical analysis and synthesis representative of knowledge gained from the course readings and current credible evidence.re -Demonstrate ability to generalize and extend thinking and evaluate theories or concepts within the topic or context of the discussion. -Demonstrate that the student has read, viewed, and considered the Learning Resources and has read, viewed, or considered a sampling of colleagues’ postings -Meet the minimum requirements for discussion posts*. |
Points Range: 6 (20%) – 6 (20%)
Discussion postings and responses are minimally responsive to the requirements of the Discussion instructions. They: – do not clearly address the objectives of the discussion or the question or prompt; and/or -May (lack) lack in depth, reflection, analysis, or synthesis but rely more on anecdotal than scholarly evidence; and/or -Do not adequately demonstrate that the student has read, viewed, and considered the Learning -Resources and/or a sampling of colleagues’ postings; and/or has posted by the due date at least in part. – Lack ability to generalize and extend thinking and evaluate theories or concepts within the topic or context of the discussion. -Do not meet the minimum requirements for discussion posts*. |
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 5 (16.67%)
Discussion postings and responses are unresponsive to the requirements of the Discussion instructions. They: – do not clearly address the objectives of the discussion or the question or prompt; and/or – Lack in substance, reflection, analysis, or synthesis but rely more on anecdotal than scholarly evidence. – Lack ability to generalize and extend thinking and evaluate theories or concepts within the topic or context of the discussion. -Do not demonstrate that the student has read, viewed, and considered the Learning Resources and/or a sampling of colleagues’ postings; and/or does not meet the minimum requirements for discussion posts*. |
| CONTENT KNOWLEDGE | Points Range: 8 (26.67%) – 8 (26.67%)
Discussion postings and responses: -demonstrate in-depth understanding and application of concepts and issues presented in the course (e.g., insightful interpretations including analysis, synthesis and/or evaluation of topic; – are well supported by pertinent research/evidence from a variety of and multiple peer- reviewed books and journals, where appropriate; -Demonstrate significant mastery and thoughtful/accurate application of content, applicable skills or strategies presented in the course. |
Points Range: 7 (23.33%) – 7 (23.33%)
Discussion postings and responses: -demonstrate understanding and application of the concepts and issues presented in the course, presented with some understanding and application of concepts and issues presented in the course (e.g., insightful interpretations including analysis, synthesis and/or evaluation of topic; -are supported by research/evidence from peer-reviewed books and journals, where appropriate; and · demonstrate some mastery and application of content, applicable skills, or strategies presented in the course. |
Points Range: 6 (20%) – 6 (20%)
Discussion postings and responses: – demonstrate minimal understanding of concepts and issues presented in the course, and, although generally accurate, display some omissions and/or errors; –lack support by research/evidence and/or the research/evidence is inappropriate or marginal in quality; and/or lack of analysis, synthesis or evaluation of topic – demonstrate minimal content, skills or strategies presented in the course. ——-Contain numerous errors when using the skills or strategies presented in the course |
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 5 (16.67%)
Discussion postings and responses demonstrate: -A lack of understanding of the concepts and issues presented in the course; and/or are inaccurate, contain many omissions and/or errors; and/or are not supported by research/evidence; and/or lack of analysis, synthesis or evaluation of topic -Many critical errors when discussing content, applicable skills or strategies presented in the course. |
| CONTRIBUTION TO THE DISCUSSION | Points Range: 8 (26.67%) – 8 (26.67%)
Discussion postings and responses significantly contribute to the quality of the discussion/interaction and thinking and learning by: -providing Rich and relevant examples; discerning and thought-provoking ideas; and stimulating thoughts and probes; – -demonstrating original thinking, new perspectives, and extensive synthesis of ideas supported by the literature. |
Points Range: 7 (23.33%) – 7 (23.33%)
Discussion postings and responses contribute to the quality of the discussion/interaction and thinking and learning by -providing relevant examples; thought-provoking ideas – Demonstrating synthesis of ideas supported by the literature |
Points Range: 6 (20%) – 6 (20%)
Discussion postings and responses minimally contribute to the quality of discussion/interaction and thinking and learning by: – providing few and/or irrelevant examples; and/or – providing few if any thought- provoking ideas; and/or -. Information that is restated from the literature with no/little demonstration of critical thinking or synthesis of ideas. |
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 5 (16.67%)
Discussion postings and responses do not contribute to the quality of interaction/discussion and thinking and learning as they do not: -Provide examples (or examples are irrelevant); and/or -Include interesting thoughts or ideas; and/or – Demonstrate of critical thinking or synthesis of ideas |
| QUALITY OF WRITING | Points Range: 6 (20%) – 6 (20%)
Discussion postings and responses exceed doctoral -level writing expectations. They: · Use grammar and syntax that is clear, concise, and appropriate to doctoral level writing; · Make few if any errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax; · Use original language and refrain from directly quoting original source materials; -provide correct APA · Are positive, courteous, and respectful when offering suggestions, constructive feedback, or opposing viewpoints. |
Points Range: 5 (16.67%) – 5 (16.67%)
Discussion postings and responses meet doctoral -level writing expectations. They: ·Use grammar and syntax that is clear and appropriate to doctoral level writing; ; · Make a few errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax; · paraphrase but refrain from directly quoting original source materials; Provide correct APA format · Are courteous and respectful when offering suggestions, constructive feedback, or opposing viewpoints;. |
Points Range: 4 (13.33%) – 4 (13.33%)
Discussion postings and responses are minimally below doctoral-level writing expectations. They: · Make more than occasional errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax; · Directly quote from original source materials and/or paraphrase rather than use original language; lack correct APA format; and/or · Are less than courteous and respectful when offering suggestions, feedback, or opposing viewpoints. |
Points Range: 0 (0%) – 3 (10%)
Discussion postings and responses are well below doctoral -level writing expectations. They: · Use grammar and syntax that is that is unclear · Make many errors in spelling, grammar, and syntax; and –use incorrect APA format · Are discourteous and disrespectful when offering suggestions, feedback, or opposing viewpoints. |
| Total Points: 30 | ||||
Name: NURS_8100_Week11_Discussion2_Rubric
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