Purpose: Develop a compelling piece of advocacy for a current issue that impacts the health of a specific
vulnerable population in the local, national, or global community.
Word count: should be no more than 2,500 words in length +/- 10%
Format: You may use headings to structure your report. The Report will be presented as a formal academic
paper and conform to the Federation University, Faculty of Health, Student Academic Handbook (Higher
Education). Academic writing should be formatted according to the Federation University, General Guide to
Writing and Study Skills.
Referencing: Referencing should be included using APA 6th Edition guidelines. It is expected that the
students use peer reviewed sources for referencing. For this assessment and to support your findings, you are
to use at least 15 peer-reviewed references in your paper. You may use and add to the references used in
Assessment Task 1- E-Poster.
Turnitin: Turnitin software will be used in this course for Assessment Task 3 to assist students with their
academic writing and to verify the originality of assessment tasks. It will be used to assess and give feedback.
FAILURE TO SUBMIT WORK THROUGH TURNITIN FOR THESE TASKS WILL RESULT IN A ZERO GRADE
for this assessment. Please ensure you only use the link provided with the assessment task. If you have any
issues with your submissions through the Turnitin Link provided on Moodle, you need to make contact with the
Information Technology Service Desk (ph: 5327 9999) to resolve the problem. If the problem cannot be
resolved prior to the due date, you must email the Course Coordinator immediately. Please note that you should
always attempt to complete and submit your assignment as early as possible to avoid any potential problems.
Marking:
University staff will mark this assessment task. Pre-marking moderation will apply to this assessment task. A
marking guide for this assessment task is included on page 4.
Feedback:
Results and feedback for this assessment task will be available on Moodle on 22nd November 2019 12pm.
Description: In this assignment students are required to:
Choose a vulnerable population you either have previously been involved in the care of OR a vulnerable
population you have an interest in. This should be clearly defined such as adult females in corrections or
LGBQTI youth in regional secondary schools, or refugees from war torn countries. You may choose any
population from an Australian local or national perspective. If you want to choose a global population ie
refugees or an indigenous culture ensure you approach the assignment within the Australian context.
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Within your assignment you need to discuss:
Discuss WHY your chosen population is considered vulnerable andinclude:
o Social determinants of health and how they impact thispopulation;
o Health inequalities (the differences in health status between population groups) such as
differences in wellbeing, risk of disease, abuse/violence, healthy life expectancy, morbidity
and mortality;
o Health inequities (differences in health status between population groups that are socially
produced, systematic in their unequal distribution across the population, avoidable and
unfair) such as difference in access, affordability, income etc;
o Health outcomes – Discuss key health issues impacting this population ie certain disease,
mental health issues, injuries etc. (approx.1200 words)
DISCUSS ONE specific health disparity impacting thispopulation:
(Health disparity: difference in access or availability of facilities or services):
o Present relevant evidence that demonstrates that a health disparity exists ie evidence of
lack of sexual health clinics in regional/rural and remote areas or no afterhours GP clinic to
deliver vaccination for at risk migrant workers. You may use tables or graphs to display this
information. Remember these should add to your discussion not replace discussion.
o Describe the impact on health that includes consideration of the relevant social,
environmental, economic, and cultural factors. Ie. Higher incidence of STIs such as
chlamydia in the LGBQTI population related to safe sex practices and risk factors specific
to this group. This is further exacerbated by poor attendance to healthcare facilities for fear
of discrimination by healthcare professionals. Here you can make educated links between
the cascading effects a health disparity can have on a range of health issues. For example
the lesbian client who does not feel comfortable attending the GP for sexual health
checkups is also isolated for other preventative health screening such as cervical screening
or breast checks, increasing her risk of undiagnosed breast or cervical cancer.
(approx. 700 words)
Identify a target audience in a position to make policy decisions or allocate resources for this
population. This may be related to allocating resources or funding, approving services,
implementing practice changes, or agreeing to a collaborative partnership. Such as a local
Foundation, a School Board, the Health Department, a Board of Directors or group of Trustees.
Make a rationale for your choice: why does this audience have proven decision making abilities
with regards to the chosen population?
OR if you discover that resources or practices are currently available but not well utilised
discuss how these could be used to promote better health equity and equality for your chosen
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vulnerable population AND
Propose specific recommendations for a project to this audience who are in a position of
making decisions to improve health outcomes for the specific health disparity within this population
OR conversely build capacity. These recommendations should include the role of a nurse in
achieving better health outcomes and be supported by research that they will have some impact.
Such recommendations could include nurse led clinics, education sessions, targeted screening,
changing practice (more accessible facilities, services or better trained staff). Be specific about how
your recommendations will attempt to overcome the health disparity you highlight and how these
may achieve improved health outcomes for this group.
Example: improved mental health access for new refugees in regional areas by case workers.
Referrals to mental health nurse practitioner within GP clinics will improve access. Research shows
improved mental health outcomes when there is early identification of depression, anxiety or posttraumatic stress disorder in refugees (citation). Improved mental health access to a qualified
professional leads to better management of mental health issues that may impact quality of life,
especially with ability to obtain work and maintain personal and family relationships (citation).
For ideas on innovative nurse led programs and clinics that are already providing care to vulnerable
populations and providing valuable services check out the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses
Association:
https://www.apna.asn.au/nursing-tools/nurse-clinics/case-studies (approx. 300 words)
To conclude, make a descriptive statement that links your recommendations to one of the
Standards for Practice for Registered Nurses (2016). In your statement include the standard you
feel your exploration of this group links with your ability to achieve person centred care AND why it
is important to advocate for vulnerable populations as nurses. For example: Providing specific sex
health education to LGBQTI teens could link to Standard 3.2: provides the information and
education required to enhance people’s control overhealth.
See the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice: http://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/CodesGuidelines-Statements/Professional-standards/registered-nurse-standards-for-practice.aspx
Sample Solution