Select a current health care issue or problem that represents an ethical dilemma or health disparity (see criteria and suggestions for topic/issue selection) that includes a regional, national and global focus.
Identify the scope of the problem
How does the problem or issue impact the public or /population/ or disenfranchised segment of a community? Use state, federal and global data/statistics if available
Identify stakeholders
Identify the ethical dilemmas
Identify any cultural diversity relevance or disparities issues
Specify policy- based solutions
Is there a current policy that addresses this problem/issue
Include evidence/ science on why this policy is helpful or why one is needed
What level(s) of US government and global agencies does your issue involve?
What level of government and specialty group (e.g., ANA, AMA etc…) are your immediate targets?
If there is no current policy that addresses the problem/issue, should a policy be developed? Who should lead the policy development? What policy solution(s) should be initiated? Include evidence to support this policy development.
Offer your opinion of the effectiveness of the existing policy or proposed policy solutions related to this problem/issue. Review the ANA Nursing Code of Ethics and the ICN Code of Ethics and select one you find most applicable to the healthcare topic/issue and policy and/or policy solution.
Criteria and Suggestions for Selecting Issues
Selected topics must meet all of the following criteria:
Be practice-focused and highly relevant to positive health care outcomes and global wellness
Have cultural implications for inclusive care
Have implications for health policy that could have a global impact
Topic must be amenable to legislation, government regulation and global recommendations for a solution or improvement. Think about how to effect change that is relevant, significant and sustainable.
Have evidence-based information as well as other evidence to support the area
Relate to at least one of the following aspects of care: access, quality, cost relating to support for positive healthcare outcomes.
The following lists of topics are intended as suggestions of broad topics you might consider, and then you can narrow your topic:
Health Determinants
Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
Disease Control
Ethical and Human Rights
Environmental Health Concerns
Genomics
Technology
Nutrition and Wellness
Woman’s Health
Children’s Health
Healthcare Disaster Preparedness
