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.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
Learning Resources
Required Readings
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 7, “Health Policy and Social Program Evaluation” (pp. 116–124 only)
Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267.
Shiramizu, B., Shambaugh, V., Petrovich, H., Seto, T. B., Ho, T., Mokuau, N., & Hedges, J. R. (2016). Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(5), 983–991.
Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). Omics research ethics considerations. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 386–393.
Document: Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Template (Word document)
Required Media
Walden University, LLC. (Producer). (2018). The Importance of Program Evaluation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
first person to response
Venatius Forka
Apr 14, 2024 at 2:22 PM
The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy Evaluation
Nurses’ involvement in policy-making extends beyond the confines of clinical care; it encompasses a duty to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare programs and policies (Milstead & Short, 2019). While some nurses may initially feel hesitant about delving into the realm of policy evaluation, it is imperative to recognize the significant impact nurses can have in shaping healthcare outcomes at a systemic level. Through informed evaluation, nurses can advocate for the improvement of programs and policies, enhancing patient care and well-being.
The evaluation topic selected is the effectiveness of School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs). SBHCs are healthcare facilities located within or adjacent to schools, offering a range of medical services to students (Itriyeva, 2024). The evaluation will assess the impact of SBHCs in improving access to healthcare, enhancing prevention and population health, providing support for high-need students, and contributing to academic achievement.
Social determinants play a significant role in shaping the effectiveness of SBHCs. Access to healthcare services is often limited for marginalized communities due to factors such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and cultural barriers. SBHCs can help mitigate these disparities by bringing healthcare directly to where students spend most of their time, thereby overcoming barriers related to transportation and parental availability (Boudreaux, Chu & Lipton, 2023). Additionally, SBHCs can address social determinants of health by providing resources and support for issues such as food insecurity, housing instability, and mental health challenges, which can significantly impact a student’s ability to learn and thrive in school.
Furthermore, the evaluation will consider how SBHCs integrate into the broader healthcare system. Coordination with other healthcare providers and payers is essential to ensure continuity of care and maximize the impact of SBHC services. Collaboration between SBHCs and community organizations, public health agencies, and local healthcare providers is crucial for addressing the multifaceted needs of students and families.Top of Form
References
Boudreaux, M., Chu, J., & Lipton, B. J. (2023). School-based health centers, access to care, and income-based disparities. JAMA Network Open, 6(9), e2334532-e2334532.
Itriyeva, K. (2024). Improving Health Equity and Outcomes for Children and Adolescents: The Role of School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs). Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 101582.
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
