Your final project should assemble all of your responses for each part of the project into one coherent body of work. Your final project should be in an essay format that should be between 9-10 pages long with references (at least 5 references).
Part 1
To start building your paper, please identify three processes at your internship site (Catholic Charities) that enhance patient care, health care delivery, or health care management. These can be policies, daily routines, even informal things that you find happening at your site that improves patient care.
Part 2:
Of the processes described in Part 1, select one and elaborate on what need caused it to develop. Does this process effectively enhance health care delivery at your site?
Part 3:
Focusing on the one process you isolated in the last part of the final project, how could the process described be improved? How would you attempt to change policy?
Part 4:
Based on your previous answer, describe how you would educate others in the health care environment on the policy change you would like to make.
Part 5:
The final question to reflect on for your semester project and identify cultural and practical barriers to implementing your plan.
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Part 1: Processes at Catholic Charities that enhance patient care, healthcare delivery, or healthcare management
Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization that provides social services to individuals and families in need. As an intern, I have had the opportunity to observe and learn about various processes that contribute to enhancing patient care, healthcare delivery, and healthcare management. Below are three processes that stood out to me:
Patient-Centered Care: At Catholic Charities, the focus is on providing patient-centered care. This means that the patient’s needs, preferences, and values are at the center of all decision-making processes. The organization believes in empowering patients by involving them in their care and treatment plans. Patients are encouraged to ask questions, share their concerns, and be active participants in their care.
Multidisciplinary Approach: Another process that enhances patient care is the multidisciplinary approach used at Catholic Charities. The organization recognizes that healthcare is complex and that patients often have multiple needs. Therefore, a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals, work collaboratively to provide comprehensive care to patients.
Continuous Quality Improvement: Catholic Charities also prioritizes continuous quality improvement to ensure that patient care is always of the highest standard. The organization regularly reviews its policies and procedures and makes changes based on patient feedback, data analysis, and best practices in the healthcare industry.
Part 2: Elaborating on the process of Patient-Centered Care
Of the processes described in Part 1, I want to focus on patient-centered care and explore what need caused it to develop and how effectively it enhances healthcare delivery at Catholic Charities.
The need for patient-centered care arose due to the increasing recognition that traditional healthcare models often did not meet patients’ needs. Patients were often treated as passive recipients of care, with little input into their treatment plans. This approach resulted in patient dissatisfaction and poorer health outcomes. Patient-centered care aims to address this by prioritizing the patient’s needs and preferences in all aspects of care delivery.
At Catholic Charities, patient-centered care is effective in enhancing healthcare delivery. The organization recognizes that patients have unique needs and that one size does not fit all when it comes to healthcare. By involving patients in their care, the organization is better able to provide tailored care that meets their specific needs. Patients are also more likely to adhere to treatment plans when they are active participants in their care.
Part 3: Improving Patient-Centered Care
While patient-centered care is effective, there is always room for improvement. One way to improve patient-centered care at Catholic Charities is to increase patient involvement in decision-making processes. Patients should be provided with more opportunities to share their opinions and have a say in their care. This could be achieved by implementing patient satisfaction surveys and focus groups.
Another way to improve patient-centered care is to provide patients with more information about their care and treatment plans. Patients should be educated about their conditions, medications, and treatment options, so they can make informed decisions about their care.
To change policy, I would first identify key stakeholders within the organization who could help drive change. This might include the patient advocacy department, the nursing staff, and the medical team. I would then present my proposed changes to these stakeholders and work collaboratively to develop a plan for implementation. This might involve developing new policies and procedures, providing staff training, and investing in technology that supports patient-centered care.
Part 4: Educating Others
To educate others in the healthcare environment on the policy change I would like to make, I would develop an educational program that includes the following:
Introduction to patient-centered care: This would involve explaining the concept of patient-centered care and its importance in healthcare delivery.
Examples of successful patient-centered care: This would
