Policy evaluation.

Some nurses may be hesitant to get involved with policy evaluation. The preference may be to focus on the care and well-being of their patients; some nurses may feel ill-equipped to enter the realm of policy and political activities. However, as you have examined previously, who better to advocate for patients and effective programs and polices than nurses? Already patient advocates in interactions with doctors and leadership, why not with government and regulatory agencies?

Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.

Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.

Post an evaluation topic and a brief description of the evaluation. Discuss how social determinants impact this issue.

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Sample Answer

Evaluation topic: Impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on Medicaid expansion on social determinants of health

Brief description: The ACA Medicaid expansion has been shown to have a positive impact on social determinants of health, such as access to healthcare, food security, and housing. For example, a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the Medicaid expansion led to a significant decrease in the uninsured rate among adults with low incomes. This means that more people have access to the healthcare they need to prevent and manage chronic diseases.

The ACA expansion has also been shown to improve food security. A study by the Urban Institute found that the Medicaid expansion led to a significant decrease in the number of adults who reported not having enough money to buy food. This is because Medicaid enrollees are more likely to be eligible for other assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Full Answer Section

Finally, the ACA expansion has been shown to improve access to housing. A study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness found that the Medicaid expansion led to a significant decrease in the number of adults who reported being homeless. This is because Medicaid enrollees are more likely to be eligible for housing assistance programs.

How social determinants impact this issue: Social determinants of health are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. These factors include poverty, lack of access to healthcare, food insecurity, and housing instability.

Social determinants of health have a significant impact on the ACA Medicaid expansion. For example, people who are living in poverty are more likely to be uninsured and to have difficulty accessing healthcare. They may also be more likely to live in neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food and affordable housing.

The ACA Medicaid expansion can help to address these social determinants of health by providing people with access to healthcare, food security, and housing assistance. This can lead to improved health outcomes for individuals and communities.

Why nurses should be involved in policy evaluation: Nurses play a vital role in providing healthcare to patients and communities. They are also well-positioned to advocate for policies that improve health and well-being.

Nurses can be involved in policy evaluation by:

  • Reviewing and commenting on proposed policies
  • Conducting research on the impact of policies
  • Testifying at public hearings
  • Contacting elected officials
  • Educating the public about policies

Nurses can also be involved in developing and implementing new policies. For example, nurses have played a key role in developing and implementing the ACA Medicaid expansion.

By getting involved in policy evaluation, nurses can help to ensure that policies are effective and that they meet the needs of patients and communities.

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