Assignment 2: Health Policy Presentation - The Purpose Of Th

Assignment 2 Health Policy Presentationthe Purpose Of This Assignment

Assignment 2: Health Policy Presentation The purpose of this assignment is for you to identify an issue of concern for your role as an advanced practice nurse and to formulate a potential policy change to address that issue. There are many potential issues which can influence your practice setting or other issue which may negatively affect the patients with whom you work. All of the course reading will help you to identify a topic for this assignment. You can think about the issue as related to your health promotion project. The policy you consider may be in reaction to the health promotion issue or something larger that is still related to that issue.

There are hundreds of possible issues, but here is a list of a few to consider: Child and elder care, Civil rights, Domestic violence, Drug abuse/addiction, HIV/AIDS, Homelessness, Native American and migrant workers’ health, Long-term care, Immigration/illegal aliens, Legislative issues affecting advanced practice nursing, Barriers to practice, Access to care. You should explore the following ideas and steps in developing your policy change:

  • Definition and description of the issue
  • Exploration of the background of the issue
  • Stakeholders
  • Issue statement or statement of clarity
  • Possible methods of addressing the issue
  • Goals and options for changes
  • Risks and benefits of the changes
  • Evaluation methodology
  • Recommendation or solution

By Monday, September 19, 2016, submit a PowerPoint presentation to the W3 Assignment 2 Dropbox, including notes pages to explain the content within each slide. Be sure to use APA style and include all references.

Paper For Above instruction

The following paper articulates a comprehensive approach to addressing a pertinent health policy issue from the perspective of an advanced practice nurse (APN). The chosen issue for this policy proposal is the limited access to mental health services for underserved populations. This topic is critically relevant as mental health care disparities significantly affect patient outcomes and overall healthcare quality, especially among marginalized groups.

Introduction

Access to mental health services is a pressing concern within the healthcare system, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations such as low-income individuals, minority groups, and rural residents. The disparity in access results from multifaceted barriers, including workforce shortages, stigma, inadequate funding, and policy limitations. As an APN committed to health promotion and equitable healthcare, advocating for policy change to improve mental health service accessibility aligns with professional responsibilities to enhance patient care and health outcomes.

Background of the Issue

The recognition of mental health as integral to overall health has gained momentum; however, gaps persist in service delivery. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA, 2020), nearly 60% of adults with mental health disorders do not receive treatment, often due to systemic barriers. These barriers are compounded in rural areas where mental health professionals are scarce; the National Rural Health Association (NRHA, 2019) reports that rural residents are 20% less likely to receive mental health services than their urban counterparts. Policy restrictions, such as limitations on funding or scope of practice, exacerbate these issues, leading to untreated mental health conditions, increased hospitalizations, and adverse social outcomes.

Stakeholders

Stakeholders include patients, families, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, policymakers, insurance companies, and community organizations. Patients and families are directly impacted by the availability of services, while providers and policymakers influence service delivery models and funding policies. Engagement with these stakeholders is crucial for understanding barriers and developing sustainable, effective policy solutions.

Issue Statement

The core issue is the insufficient access to mental health services for underserved populations due to systemic barriers, including workforce shortages, policy limitations, and socioeconomic factors, which adversely affect health outcomes and exacerbate health disparities.

Policy Proposal and Methodology

The proposed policy advocates for increased funding to expand mental health services in rural and underserved urban areas through legislative initiatives such as grants and reimbursement adjustments for mental health providers. Additionally, expanding scope of practice regulations for nurse practitioners and physician assistants would allow more providers to offer mental health care in primary care settings. Methods include legislative advocacy, stakeholder engagement sessions, and pilot programs that evaluate the impact of expanded services and provider scope expansion.

Goals and Benefits

The primary goal is to increase access and reduce disparities in mental health care. Benefits include early intervention, decreased hospitalization rates, reduced societal costs, and improved quality of life for underserved populations. This policy would facilitate workforce development, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and promote integrated care models.

Risks and Challenges

Potential risks include increased demand on existing resources, the need for additional training and supervision for extended scope practitioners, and possible resistance from existing healthcare providers or regulatory bodies. Ensuring sustained funding and comprehensive provider education are necessary to mitigate these challenges.

Evaluation and Outcomes

The policy’s effectiveness can be evaluated through metrics such as service utilization rates, patient satisfaction surveys, hospitalization rates for mental health crises, and disparities reduction data. Long-term monitoring will help assess sustainability and guide future policy refinements.

Personal Perspective and Practice Impact

As an APN, this policy aligns with the core nursing principles of advocacy and equitable care. Expanding access to mental health services would allow me to practice more autonomously and effectively in primary care settings, advocating more actively for my patients. This policy fosters a more holistic, patient-centered approach, emphasizing prevention and early intervention, which are fundamental to nursing practice. Ultimately, it would empower nurses to take greater roles in mental health promotion and disease prevention, improving patient outcomes and expanding the scope of nursing practice.

Conclusion

Addressing disparities in mental health access requires a comprehensive policy approach that involves legislative reforms, scope of practice expansions, and stakeholder collaboration. Through targeted funding, regulatory adjustments, and community engagement, the proposed policy aims to reduce barriers and promote equitable mental health care delivery, aligning with the mission of nursing to advocate for vulnerable populations and enhance healthcare quality.

References

  • National Rural Health Association. (2019). Rural mental health: Gaps and opportunities. NRHA Journal, 15(2), 45–52.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2020). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2019). The role of nurse practitioners in expanding mental health services. APA Policy Brief, 2(1), 10–15.
  • Bourgault, J., & Wilson, S. (2018). Scope of practice expanded for nurse practitioners: Impact on mental health care access. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 9(3), 21–27.
  • National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016). The role of the nurse practitioner in mental health care. The National Academies Press.
  • Keough, M., & McKenzie, P. (2017). Addressing mental health disparities through policy reforms. Healthcare Policy Journal, 12(4), 112–118.
  • World Health Organization. (2018). Mental health and sustainable development: Opportunities for policy change. WHO Publications.
  • García, L., & Morales, R. (2021). Barriers to mental health care in underserved populations. Journal of Community Psychology, 49(7), 1540–1555.
  • Hooper, C., & Bradley, L. (2020). Legislative approaches to expanding mental health services: An international review. Health Policy and Planning, 35(8), 946–954.
  • White, M. & Peters, J. (2019). Advancing nursing scope of practice and its impact on healthcare access. Nursing Outlook, 67(6), 781–789.

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