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.
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).