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.
• 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.
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.
Full Answer Section
Social Determinants of Impact: The effectiveness of telehealth for underserved communities is significantly impacted by social determinants of health (SDOH) such as:
- Digital literacy and access: Lack of internet connectivity, technological proficiency, and devices can create barriers to using telehealth services.
- Linguistic barriers: Limited translation services and culturally competent healthcare providers can impede effective communication and trust in telehealth care.
- Socioeconomic factors: Poverty, food insecurity, and transportation limitations can further restrict access to and utilization of telehealth services.
- Healthcare disparities: Preexisting health inequities due to racial and ethnic disparities in access to quality healthcare can be exacerbated by telehealth implementation if not carefully designed and implemented.
Potential Evaluation Approach: This evaluation could consider a mixed-methods approach, utilizing quantitative data analysis of healthcare utilization records and patient satisfaction surveys. Additionally, qualitative interviews with patients, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders could provide valuable insights into the lived experiences and challenges of using telehealth in underserved communities.
Why This Matters: Evaluating the effectiveness of telehealth for underserved communities is crucial to ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare. If implemented effectively, telehealth has the potential to bridge geographic and resource gaps, improve health outcomes, and ultimately contribute to closing the healthcare equity gap.
This is just a preliminary outline, and further research would be needed to refine the evaluation methodology and scope. However, I believe that exploring the role of social determinants in telehealth use and addressing existing inequities are essential to ensuring that this technology truly serves its potential to improve health for all.
Sample Answer
Evaluation Description: I'd like to explore the effectiveness of telehealth in improving healthcare access and outcomes for underserved communities. This evaluation would assess the impact of telehealth programs on various metrics, including:
- Patient access: Increased rates of healthcare utilization, appointment availability, and reduced travel burden for patients in geographically remote or resource-limited areas.
- Quality of care: Patient satisfaction with telehealth consultations, adherence to treatment plans, and clinical outcomes for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
- Cost-effectiveness: Potential cost savings for patients and healthcare systems through reduced travel costs, improved appointment efficiency, and potentially lower rates of hospitalization.