Category: Nursing

Epidemiological studies

Read the required reading. Epidemiological studies can evaluate risks of disease and protections from disease.

Discuss risks and how epidemiological studies impact interventions to reduce risks. Include some types of studies and specific risk examples in your response. How does this apply to evidence based medicine?

Please review the Discussion Board Participation grading rubric under Course Resources in the Grading Rubrics section.

This is important information that will ensure that you earn maximum points. Your postings should be qualitative and provide substantive depth that advances the discussion.

Clinical Epidemiology

In this Unit, you have discussion and a large point assignment. Please be sure to listen to the seminar archive and also do the learning activities in both Unit 1 and Unit 2. These relate to the assignment directly.

I look forward to our discussion and your research one on the options for preventive screening in the assignment directions.

Melody

Course Outcome(s) practiced in this unit:

MN505-1: Interpret epidemiological data on morbidity and mortality related to acute and chronic disease states.

Unit 2 Introduction

Clinical Epidemiology: Risk

There are a number of statistics used in epidemiology to describe health status, quantify the extent of disease, and estimate the risk for developing disease or injury. It is essential that nurses be able to locate and interpret these statistics because this information is used to plan and evaluate health services and guide health policy.

Characteristics that result in increased chances of disease or injury are known as risk factors. Some are not changeable, such as age or sex, or perhaps geographic location in certain instances. However, many can be altered. Recognizing risk, and risk calculations is an important part of epidemiology. Concepts in risk include, exposure, time, causal and non-causal factors, and risk prediction or stratification.

Environmental public health issue the community

Read the module Home page and required readings. Read through this assignment and the Assignment Expectations.

Based on the background readings for this module (along with other relevant sources of credible information), your task is to write an essay in which you discuss an environmental public health issue in your community.

Instructions

You can submit your paper in a question-and-answer format. In other words, list the questions and provide a short answer to each.

1. State the name of your community. At what time in your life did you live in this community? (i.e., were you raised there during childhood, do you live there now, or was it during another time in your life?)

2. Identify a specific environmental public health issue in the community.

3. Explain briefly why rates of disease or illness might be impacted by this environmental health issue. Please write 1–2 paragraphs about this, and be sure to cite sources rather than simply stating your opinion.

4. Identify one credible source of Environmental Health Data on that issue. (Please write 2–3 sentences maximum. Please provide a description of the source and a link (i.e., hyperlink or URL) directly to relevant data sources.

5. Discuss whether rates of disease or illness for the issue are being tracked in the community. Please write 2–3 paragraphs about this, and be sure to cite sources rather than simply stating your opinion.

STRATEGIC PLANNING IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS

Discussion: Planning for Evaluation

When a patient arrives in an emergency department with a dangerously high fever, a nurse typically knows before treatment begins how he or she will evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Evaluation is a critical component of any planned change, and it is essential to integrate it into the design and implementation of a strategic plan.

In this Discussion, you examine the significance of evaluation for the change you are proposing through your Course Project. How would you integrate evaluation in your strategic plan? How long would it take for the proposed change to become status quo, or refreeze, and what is an appropriate timeline for evaluation?

To prepare:

Review the information presented in this week’s Learning Resources. Reflect on how to develop an evaluation plan as part of the strategic planning process.

Refer to the balanced scorecard you have created for your Course Project. How would you evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed change using the metrics on your balanced scorecard? What other elements of your strategic plan may be important to consider as you design the evaluation plan?

Think about the timeline you would propose for evaluation. Consider the following:

How and when would you conduct evaluation?

Why is refreezing important? What strategies could you employ to facilitate refreezing?

Would you continue to evaluate the planned change further in the future? If so, how?

Post an explanation of how you would develop an evaluation plan for your proposed change. Outline an initial timeline for evaluation, and explain at least two strategies you would incorporate to encourage refreezing. Share insights you have gained about the process of planning evaluation.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by offering additional ideas for refining their approach to evaluation and proposed timeline.

STRATEGIC PLANNING IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS REQUIRED READINGS

D. J., & Zimmerman, M. A. (2009). Evaluation planning here and now. In D. J. Holden & M. A. Zimmerman (Eds.), A practical guide to program evaluation planning: Theory and case examples [Sage e-book].

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This chapter examines issues that should be considered before and during the planning process to determine the approach and design for evaluation. It includes a focus on stakeholder involvement.

Sridharan, S., & Nakaima, A. (2011). Ten steps to making evaluation matter. Evaluation and Program Planning, 34(2), 135–146.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article presents steps for developing and implementing evaluation, with a focus on paying attention to the specifics and complexity of a program or intervention when designing evaluation. “The specific problem that is discussed in this paper is: how can the act of evaluation help with program planning, implementation, and sustainability?” (Sridharan & Nakaima, 2011, p. 136).

Markowitz, E. (2010, September 15). How to write an executive summary. Inc. Retrieved fromhttp://www.inc.com/guides/2010/09/how-to-write-an-executive-summary.html

Although this focuses more generally on creating an executive summary for a business plan, the information is useful for crafting the executive summary for your strategic plan.

Thakur, S. (2011, June 9). Tips on preparing an executive summary of a strategic plan.Bright Hub. Retrieved from http://www.brighthub.com/office/entrepreneurs/articles/87293.aspx

You will craft an executive summary for your Course Project. This website provides an overview on the process of developing an executive summary for a strategic plan.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013e). A critical element [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu

How social determinants can influence population health

Before you begin this assignment, read through the Home page and the required readings. Specifically, view the Social determinants of health [Video presentation] at https://vimeopro.com/aptrmodules/phlm/video/76355201.

This video is part of Public Health Learning Modules project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and developed by Temple University Department of Public Health and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research as a free teaching resource for public health professionals.

For this component of the Session Long Project, you will explore and discuss how social determinants can influence population health. Your task is to submit a paper that responds to the following questions:

1. What area in the world has the highest child mortality rates based on the video presentation?

2. Describe the differences in longevity and infant mortality by race and education. Make sure to provide supportive information from the video presentation and your additional literature searches.

3. The presentation described several Healthy People 2020 objectives that relate to social determinants of health. Identify one of this objective and discuss the specific baseline, target, target-setting method, and data source.

Required Reading

Ali, R., Wheitner, D., Talbott, E., and Zborowski, J. (2007, October). Connecting environmental health data to people and policy: Integrating information and mobilizing communities for environmental public health tracking. Journal of Community Health, 32(5), 357-74. https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.trident.edu/docview/224046946/fulltextPDF/8DBC0B06A9C345EAPQ/1?accountid=28844

Cannunscio, C. (2017). Social determinants of health [Video presentation]. Temple University of Department of Public Health and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research. Accessed from https://vimeopro.com/aptrmodules/phlm/video/76355201

Carr, S. J. (2016, January). Insights in public health: Building well-being: Linking the built environment to health. Hawaii Journal of Medicine & Public Health, 75(1). https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.ezproxy.trident.edu/pmc/articles/PMC4733823/

Rubin, L. & Merrick, J. (2014). Environmental health: Home, school, and community. [e-Book] New York: Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Read: Chapter I: Break the cycle of environmental health disparities; and Chapter II: Use of undergraduate curriculum as a vehicle for breaking the cycle of environmental health disparities within disadvantaged communities. http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.trident.edu:2048/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/ZTAwMHhuYV9fNjY2MTU0X19BTg2?sid=f1828da4-2f12-4b50-8949-c733d097df13@sessionmgr102&vid=0&format=EB&rid=1

Risk Communication

For this Case Assignment, you will be using the CDC Risk Communication resource provided in your required readings section.

Step 1: Go to the website and, under Risk Communication, click on “Emergency Preparedness and Response.”

Step 2: Read through the information on this page and then click on “Information on Specific Types of Emergencies.”

Step 3: Next, browse through this information and click on “Recent Outbreaks and Incidents.”

Step 4: Under “Select a Year,” click any from 2015 to the present.

Step 5: Choose one of the recent outbreaks for your investigation.

In your paper:

Identify the incident/outbreak you selected for which risk communication was essential.

Describe the situation that occurred and provide some statistics to display the severity of the incident.

What types of communication/procedures were used during this incident? Provide examples on the information that was disseminated and how it aided in resolving the situation.

Required Reading

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2011). Gateway to health communication & social marketing. Risk communication. Retrieved on August 1, 2016 from http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/risks/index.html

Melanson, M. A., Geckle, L. S., & Davidson, B. A. (2012). Risky business: Challenges and successes in military radiation risk communication. U. S. Army Medical Department Journal, July-September, 82-87. (Use “Academic Search Complete” search engine in the Library Portal)

National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC). (2017). Areas of responsibility for health education specialist 2015. Retrieved from https://www.nchec.org/assets/2251/hespa_competencies.pdf

Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council. (2016). Advocacy toolbox. Retrieved from https://orc.okstate.edu/content/advocacy-toolbox

Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council. (2016). Writing Op-Eds and letters to the editor. Retrieved from https://orc.okstate.edu/content/writing-op-eds-and-letters-editor

Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE). (2017). Health education specialist. Retrieved from http://www.sophe.org/careers/health-education-profession

Health Communication – Writing Op-Eds and letters to the editor

The Session Long Project entails going through the process of influencing policymakers. In prior SLP assignments you wrote a letter to “raise a concern” and “oppose a position” or “support a position.” While these are direct ways of influencing policymakers by letter writing, there are additional indirect ways that can also achieve your objectives. Some ways are writing a letter to the editor or “Op-Eds.”

Make sure to review the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council “Writing Op-Eds and letters to the editor” page to help you complete this assignment.

Part 1:

1. Topic that is on Teen Pregnancy

2. Pick a local newspaper to write to (you can use your hometown paper if you desire). Provide the name of the newspaper and the city.

3. Write a one-page letter to the editor.

Part 2:

4. Write one page of text on tips for writing a letter to the editor.

5. What are some advantages of writing a letter to the editor compared to the letters from prior SLP assignments?

Recap: Your assignment should consist of: A one-page letter to the editor and one page on tips/advantages for writing a letter to the editor.

Length: 2 pages.

Growth of managed care that began in the 1980s

Explain the growth of managed care that began in the 1980s. As a result, how has health care delivery evolved? Based on the literature, what does the future hold?

Nursing Theory

Nursing theories are relevant in the practicing of nursing as they help to guide the process of providing healthcare services to the patients and hence must be followed at all times. In the course of learning, I have learned several nursing theories and how they are applied in clinical procedures. One nursing theory is the Self-care deficit nursing theory by Dorothea Orem which stipulates that as nurses, there is need to consider the health status of ourselves as well as that of the relatives we have. Most of the nurses lack this as they are focused on providing healthcare services to other patients and hence forget to provide themselves with better care. Another nursing theory is the Behavioral System Model and its Application, where I have learned how to behave professionally in the clinical settings and how my behavior affects the clinical procedures and other operations.

Other theories that I have learned include the Transitions Theory, Theory of caring, the Theory of Bureaucratic caring and the theory of successful ageing. The principles in each nursing theory play an important role in the process of delivering quality health care in the clinical setting. In the course of learning, I have managed to understand how to apply these nursing theories in class assignments, and I can as well define the same. The opinions have helped me to understand how my behavior, values and personal code of conduct may be affected in the clinical setting and how the same may change when working within such facilities.

Identifying and Engaging Stakeholders for Strategic Planning

STRATEGIC PLANNING IN HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS – Discussion 4 (Grading Rubic and Media Attached)

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Discussion: Identifying and Engaging Stakeholders for Strategic Planning

Stakeholders can facilitate the success, or failure, of a strategic plan.

Identifying internal and external stakeholders and building productive relationships should be an intentional and well-conceived part of the strategic planning process. As a nurse leader-manager involved in strategic planning, it is important that you consider who could be impacted by a proposed change and how the change may affect individuals’ roles, responsibilities, and relationships. It is also essential to think about which stakeholders may be able to offer expertise, capital, and/or sway to help exercise the strategic plan and generate buy-in.

In this Discussion, you identify stakeholders who can assist with carrying forward a strategic plan.

Your Instructor has assigned you to a small group for this Discussion. Craft your stakeholder description independently; through the collegial exchange that follows, you will offer each other suggestions for refinement. As in Weeks 2 and 3, use this small group Discussion to delve deeply into the concepts being presented as they are foundational to this course.

To prepare:

Reflect on a planned change effort you have experienced.

Consider the following questions:

How do you think stakeholder involvement may have impacted the outcome of this planned change?

Were the right stakeholders involved? Did the stakeholders help to carry out the plan as needed?

Should other stakeholders have been engaged? If so, how could relationships with additional stakeholders have been cultivated to better support the plan?

How does reflecting on this instance of planned change inform your perspective on what is needed to engage stakeholders to successfully promote other strategic changes?

Review the Mountain View Health Center case study, and reflect on the focus of your postings in the Week 2 Discussion 2 and the Week 3 Discussion.

Conduct additional research as necessary to strengthen your understanding of the process of involving stakeholders in strategic planning and to deepen your thinking about the organization. For instance, you may research organizations with similarities to Mountain View, and examine information related to stakeholder involvement.

Consider the following questions:

Which internal and external stakeholders should be involved in strategic planning related to this case study?

What assets and/or perspectives would each of these stakeholders offer to the process?

What role would each potential stakeholder play in helping to move forward a strategic plan?

When and how should the stakeholders become involved?

How would you cultivate relationships with these stakeholders to produce the best possible results?

How would the appropriate selection of stakeholders and their involvement promote the likelihood of successful adoption and implementation of a strategic plan?

Post a description of internal and external stakeholders who should be involved in strategic planning at Mountain View Health Center. Propose strategies for cultivating relationships with these stakeholders. Explain how their involvement would promote the likelihood of success for the strategic plan.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by analyzing the selection of stakeholders and the strategies outlined for engagement.

Identifying and Engaging Stakeholders for Strategic Planning Required Readings

Sare, M. V., & Ogilvie, L. (2010). Strategic planning for nurses: Change management in health care. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Chapter 6, “Strategic Planning: Why It’s Not Just for the Boardroom Anymore” (pp. 105–115)

Chapter 11, “Eight Cautionary Tales of Strategic Planning” (pp. 215–226)

Note: You are only required to read the “Hail, Hail, the Gang Is Not All Here” section of the chapter this week.

These chapters address stakeholder involvement in strategic planning.

Galunic, C., & Hermreck, I. (2012). How to help employees ‘get’ strategy. Harvard Business Review, 90(12), 24.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article addresses the influence of senior management/leadership on employees’ understanding of and commitment to organizational strategy.

Harmon, R. B., Fontaine, D., Plews-Ogan, M., & Williams, A. (2012). Achieving transformational change: Using appreciative inquiry for strategic planning in a school of nursing. Journal of Professional Nursing, 28(2), 119–124.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

The authors discuss stakeholder involvement and other aspects of the strategic planning process engaged in by the University of Virginia School of Nursing.

Murphy-Hoefer, R., Andrade, M. S., Maines, D. E., & Martin, M. (2011). Stakeholder input in establishing an evaluation plan for tobacco counter-marketing campaigns. American Journal of Health Education, 42(2), 66–73.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

As you read this article, consider how stakeholder involvement may contribute to successful strategic planning.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013b). Case study: Mountain View Health Center [Interactive media]. Retrieved from CDN database. (NURS 6241)

This interactive multimedia piece presents a case study of an organization, with information about the types of activities performed there, organizational structure, strategic priorities, and financial allocations. You will use this as a resource for this week’s Discussion