NURS 6050 Walden Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Assessment Paper
Description
Program/policy Assessment is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy Assessment answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.
Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy Assessment for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy Assessment and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.
To Prepare:
Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Assessment Analysis Template provided in the Resources.
Select an existing healthcare program or policy Assessment or choose one of interest to you.
Review community, state, or federal policy Assessment and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.
The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Based on the program or policy Assessment you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Assessment Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:
Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.
How was the success of the program or policy measured?
How many people were reached by the program or policy selected?
How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?
At what point in program implementation was the program or policy Assessment conducted?
What data was used to conduct the program or policy Assessment?
What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?
What stakeholders were identified in the Assessment of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy Assessment? Be specific and provide examples.
Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?
Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?
Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation.
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Sample Answer Guide:
The healthcare program or policy Assessment that I selected is the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The ACA was implemented in 2010 with the goal of increasing access to healthcare for millions of Americans who were previously uninsured.
The success of the ACA was measured by analyzing the number of individuals who were able to gain health insurance coverage due to the implementation of the ACA. The program reached millions of people, with an estimated 20 million people gaining insurance coverage as a result of the ACA. The impact of the ACA was significant, as it helped to reduce the number of uninsured individuals in the United States and improved access to healthcare for many Americans.
The program Assessment was conducted at various points throughout the implementation of the ACA, including shortly after its implementation, as well as several years after implementation. Data from multiple sources was used to conduct the program Assessment, including data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Health Statistics.
Unintended consequences of the ACA were identified, including the fact that some individuals faced increased costs for health insurance due to the ACA’s regulations. Additionally, some small businesses struggled to afford the ACA’s employer mandate.
Stakeholders identified in the Assessment of the ACA included individuals who gained health insurance coverage, as well as healthcare providers, insurance companies, and government officials. The results and reporting of the ACA’s Assessment would benefit all of these stakeholders, as they would provide insight into the effectiveness of the program and guide future decisions regarding healthcare policy.
The ACA met its original intent and objectives of increasing access to healthcare for millions of Americans. However, some challenges and unintended consequences were identified. As a nurse advocate, I would recommend implementing the ACA in my place of work, as it has helped to improve access to healthcare for many individuals.
To become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation, a nurse advocate could conduct a survey of patients to gather feedback on the impact of the program or policy on their healthcare experiences. Additionally, a
