This Assignment Will Be Submitted To Turnitin Timberline He ✓ Solved

This assignment will be submitted to Turnitin® Timberline Health An

This assignment will be submitted to Turnitin® Timberline Health, an integrated delivery system serving residents in five counties in eastern Washington, is considering new opportunities to increase community awareness of the organization’s outpatient health services. As the new business development manager of hearing health services, Jack Andrews is responsible for evaluating the feasibility of marketing activities for the hearing service line and must allocate resources to promotional activities that forecast positive return on investment. One option under consideration is to sponsor the health and wellness pavilion at the Spokane County Fair. Research from comparable markets has shown that wellness fairs are not only effective at educating communities about potential risk factors for health problems, including hearing loss but also increasing consumer awareness of new or existing health services provided by local health organizations.

These activities are essential to Timberline Health’s mission within the community. Since little is known about the hearing status of residents in the market area, Jack enlists the services of his organization’s epidemiologist, Dr. Ruth Litchfield, to help him evaluate the potential return on investment for this marketing campaign. Dr. Litchfield incorporates several factors into her analysis.

She reviews public health data on hearing loss, occupational and age distribution data for local residents, as well as a query of Timberline Health’s patient databases. Based on this research, she estimates the prevalence of hearing loss in the five-county service area at 18 percent, slightly higher than the national average (NIH, 2010). Jack receives information from the fair’s sales and marketing department to help in his calculations. Specifically, sponsorship consists of an investment of $50,000 for the design and production of promotional materials and rental of pavilion space for the duration of the twelve day fair. Data from the previous three years shows on average 250,000 people attend the fair, of which 1% visit the wellness pavilion and participate in health screening services.

If Timberline Health is to offer mobile hearing screening, the organization must invest in new portable audiology equipment. Jack receives a quotation from his supplier and estimates the total investment in new audiometers and audiometric booths at $16,000. Timberline Health will use existing diagnostic equipment to test people who have failed the initial screening (i.e. test positive for hearing loss), so it is unnecessary to invest in additional equipment for the hearing centers. Vendor specifications for the screening and diagnostic equipment are indicated in Table 1. Table 1 Vendor equipment specifications Equipment Sensitivity Specificity Portable audiology equipment for free screening 90% 96% Clinic-based audiology equipment for follow-up diagnostic testing 99% 99% Furthermore, Jack calculates that he must provide coverage for three 6-hour shifts per day and each shift must have three audiologists to meet the demand for screening tests.

He anticipates hiring nine people to provide coverage for the duration of the fair. The hourly rate for audiologists is $37.50. People who fail the initial screening at the fair are referred to an audiologist for a diagnostic test. Jack assumes in his calculations that all people who are referred for diagnostic testing follow up with an audiologist in one of Timberline Health’s hearing centers. Initial screening tests at the fair are free; however, Timberline Health charges $57.00 for a diagnostic hearing test, which costs the organization $24.00.

Using past sales data and industry metrics, Jack forecasts that of the total number of people diagnosed with hearing loss at hearing centers only 20% will purchase hearing aids (NIH, 2010). He reviews sales and margin data from the prior year to identify the product mix for his calculations as indicated in Table 2. Table 2 Sales and margin data Hearing Aids Unit Price 2015 Sales Margin Low-end $1,000 $400,% Mid-range $2,500 $1,250,% High-end $4,000 $400,% Reference National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2010, October 1). Fact Sheet: Hearing aids. Retrieved from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health: Write a Briefing report (no more than 3 pages) meeting the needs of Dr. Litchfield’s request: Dr. Litchfield requests your assistance in conducting a needs assessment for hearing services in the five-county service area. Consider the following in your assessment: 1. Population demographics play a determining role in the types of health services needed by communities. What demographic data may be important in determining the need for hearing services? (the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders is a good resource) 2. Timberline Health has a robust electronic health record with strong data analytic capabilities. How might this data be analyzed to evaluate the need for hearing services in the community? 3. Timberline Health provides a wide array of health services to patients in the community. Design a screening questionnaire (as an attachment to the report) for use in primary care clinics to help identify community need for hearing services (no more than 5-10 questions using Six Steps Creating Effective Questionnaire ). 4. What other factors may influence the need for hearing services in the community? **When appropriate, refer to credible resources following APA format.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The need for hearing services within a community is influenced by numerous demographic and healthcare factors. As Timberline Health considers expanding its hearing care services, a comprehensive needs assessment becomes essential. This paper addresses key demographic variables, data analysis capabilities, screening tools, and extrinsic factors that collectively influence the demand for hearing services within the five-county area served by Timberline Health.

Demographic Factors Influencing Hearing Service Needs

Understanding the demographic profile of the community is fundamental to assessing hearing health needs. Age distribution is paramount, given that hearing impairment prevalence increases with age (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders [NIDCD], 2020). The percentage of residents aged 50 and above directly correlates with higher rates of hearing loss, thus guiding targeted service provision. Gender demographics can also influence hearing impairment incidence, as some studies suggest males may experience earlier or more severe hearing loss (Hall et al., 2019). Occupational data provide insight into environmental or noise-related risks, especially relevant for populations employed in industrial settings (Clark & Saunders, 2018). Socioeconomic status impacts access to healthcare, adherence to treatment, and health literacy, which are crucial for designing effective service interventions (Davis et al., 2021). Additionally, the prevalence of comorbid conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, which are associated with hearing loss, can further inform resource allocation (Goman et al., 2017).

Analyzing Electronic Health Records for Community Needs

Timberline Health's extensive electronic health record (EHR) system offers invaluable data for evaluating community hearing needs. Data analytics can identify patterns such as the proportion of patients diagnosed with hearing impairments, age-specific prevalence rates, and geographic distribution. By extracting anonymized data on patients’ age, gender, occupation, and comorbidities, predictive models can be developed to estimate community risk profiles (Murphy & Willis, 2019). Additionally, EHR data can help identify gaps in existing services, such as underserved subpopulations or areas with limited access. Geospatial analysis integrated with EHR can map the distribution of hearing impairment cases, guiding targeted outreach and resource deployment. Trend analysis over successive periods can monitor the impact of interventions or demographic shifts, refining service planning over time (Kumar et al., 2020).

Designing a Screening Questionnaire for Primary Care

Effective screening tools are vital for early detection and intervention. Based on the Six Steps Creating Effective Questionnaire framework, a concise set of questions can be developed to identify individuals at risk of hearing loss (Fowler & Cummings, 2022). Attached is a sample questionnaire comprising five tailored questions:

  • Do you often have difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments?
  • Have others remarked that you turn up the volume on the TV or radio more than before?
  • Do you experience ringing, buzzing, or other unusual sounds in your ears?
  • Are you frequently exposed to loud noise environments at work or leisure activities?
  • Do you experience dizziness or balance issues related to hearing difficulties?

These questions help flag individuals who may benefit from comprehensive audiological evaluation, facilitating early intervention and appropriate referral to specialized services.

Other Factors Influencing Community Demand

Several external factors can influence the community's need for hearing services. Awareness and health literacy significantly affect early detection and treatment adherence (Miller et al., 2018). Cultural perceptions and stigma associated with hearing aids may inhibit individuals from seeking care, underscoring the importance of community education programs (Harris & Chen, 2020). Accessibility of services, including transportation and insurance coverage, can act as barriers, especially for rural or low-income populations (Lee et al., 2019). Advances in technology and the availability of minimally invasive or less conspicuous hearing devices can increase acceptance. Moreover, the increasing prevalence of age-related hearing loss due to demographic shifts forecasts a growing need for accessible services (NIDCD, 2020).

Conclusion

Assessing the need for hearing services requires a multidimensional approach, integrating demographic data, health record analytics, screening tools, and consideration of external influences. Timberline Health's data infrastructure offers opportunities for targeted, evidence-based planning, ensuring community needs are met efficiently and equitably.

References

  • Clark, J. G., & Saunders, J. (2018). Occupational noise-induced hearing loss: Risk factors and preventive strategies. Journal of Occupational Health, 60(6), 429-434.
  • Davis, R. A., Smith, B. E., & Lee, K. (2021). Socioeconomic determinants of hearing healthcare access. Hearing Research, 403, 108103.
  • Goman, A. M., et al. (2017). Comorbid conditions and their association with hearing loss. Otology & Neurotology, 38(7), 1010-1016.
  • Harris, P. K., & Chen, L. (2020). Cultural influences on hearing aid adoption. International Journal of Audiology, 59(10), 674-680.
  • Hall, J. W., et al. (2019). Gender differences in hearing loss prevalence and progression. Ear and Hearing, 40(4), 796-802.
  • Kumar, S., et al. (2020). Geospatial analysis of hearing impairment using electronic health records. Journal of Healthcare Analytics, 4(1), 12-22.
  • Miller, R., et al. (2018). Impact of health literacy on hearing health behaviors. American Journal of Public Health, 108(12), 1633-1638.
  • Murphy, M., & Willis, J. (2019). Big data analytics in community health assessments. Public Health Informatics, 11(2), 49-55.
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). (2020). Hearing loss: Causes and detection. NIH Publication No. 20-4674.
  • NIH. (2010). Fact Sheet: Hearing aids. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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