Variety of population health problems

 

 

 

 


ASSIGNMENT 1
• Consider a variety of population health problems and then select one of professional interest on which to focus for this Assignment.
• Explore three data sources (data sets) presented in the Learning Resources that could aid you in describing the population and magnitude of the problem you selected. Consider the strengths and limitations of each data source.
In 3 pages (not including title page and references), analyze the data sources you selected by addressing the following:
• Briefly identify the population health problem you selected.
• Identify each data set you selected.
• Identify the variables in each data set you would need to examine the association of interest.
• Assess the validity of each data set. Has it been used for prior studies/publications?
• Explain challenges you might face as a researcher in identifying a proper data set or securing permission to use it.


• Review the Learning Resources for Weeks 1–2 related to patient care quality, safety, and health equity. 
The Assignment In 3 pages (not including title page and references),
Analyze, synthesize, and apply evidence from the literature and course materials to develop a scholarly response to the following criteria: 
• Select and deconstruct a selected nursing sensitive indicator on the quality of nursing care delivered to patients. 
o Define the selected nurse sensitive indicator and relevance to nursing practice. 
o Explain if this indicator is a structural, process, or outcomes indicator. 
• Describe the relationship between the selected nursing sensitive indicator, evidence-based practice, and health equity. 
• Analyze the literature to describe the potential impact of this nursing sensitive indicator on the cost of care to patients and the healthcare system.  
• Describe the role of the DNP nurse in promoting quality driven nursing care.
 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assignment 1: Population Health Problem and Data Sources

 

The population health problem I've selected is the rising prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) and related overdose deaths in the United States. This is a significant public health crisis with a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities.

 

Selected Data Sets

 

To describe the population and magnitude of this problem, I would explore three data sets:

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH): Administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), this is a comprehensive, nationwide survey that provides detailed information on substance use, mental health, and other related health behaviors. It provides prevalence data on prescription opioid misuse and heroin use.

Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER): Maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this database provides public access to a vast array of health data, including mortality data. I would use it to access data on drug overdose deaths, categorized by state, county, and specific substances.

Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs): These are state-level electronic databases that collect information on all controlled substance prescriptions dispensed in the state. I would use this to track prescribing patterns for opioids, identifying potential "doctor shopping" behavior and areas with high opioid prescription rates.

 

Variables and Validity

 

NSDUH: I would examine variables related to self-reported non-medical use of prescription opioids, heroin use, and OUD. Its strength lies in its ability to capture a broad range of data, including non-fatal use. Its limitation is that the data is self-reported and may be subject to recall bias or underreporting. It has been used extensively in thousands of prior studies and publications by researchers, government agencies, and public health organizations, so its validity is well-established.

WONDER: The key variables I would use are cause-of-death codes (e.g., those from the International Classification of Diseases, ICD-10) and demographic information such as age, race, and gender. The strength of this data is its comprehensive and objective nature, providing hard numbers on overdose fatalities. A limitation is that it only captures deaths, not non-fatal overdoses or addiction. As a primary source for mortality statistics, it is widely used and highly valid.

PDMPs: The most important variables are prescriber information, drug dispensed, dosage, and patient information. Its strength is that it provides a near real-time, objective look at prescribing behaviors, which is a major driver of the opioid crisis. The main limitation is that the data is not standardized across states, and access can be restricted. This data is not typically used for broad public studies due to privacy concerns but is used by law enforcement and public health officials, and its validity is high within its specific context.