Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation (Mental Health)
Healthcare Initiative and Program’s Estimated Expenses and Results
In my practice, we have an anxiety and depression mental health program aimed at working on access to such services. The depicted costs encompass staff, staff development, virtual means for telemedicine services, and tools for ensuring patient follow-up care, estimated at $600,000 annually. The proposed outputs for a quicker and more efficient service delivery consist of a 30% reduction in people visiting the emergency medical centres, better mental, physical, and other health-related benefits, and optimistic patient satisfaction achieved via accessible, continuous, high-quality care.
Target Population
Adults with persistent anxiety and depression diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 55 make up our target population. Many are from underserved, low-income communities, where mental health services are often inaccessible or unaffordable. Focusing on this population aims to reduce barriers to care and provide comprehensive mental health support, as Mongelli et al. (2020) noted.
The Nurse’s Role in Providing Input for This Program’s Design
A key component of this program’s design is the nurses. For example, we provided input on including telehealth services, recognizing that many patients face geographical and transportation challenges, as Gajarawala and Pelkowski (2021) indicated. Nurses also ensured that patient education, such as managing symptoms and promoting self-care, was incorporated into the program. Our direct involvement in patient care gives us unique insights into what strategies will work best to improve patient outcomes.
Role as an Advocate for the Target Population
As an advocate, I ensure that the program’s design considers the financial limitations, cultural norms, and stigma associated with mental health of our target community. I contribute to decisions around program structure, advocating for sliding-scale fees and community outreach to ensure that no one is left out due to financial barriers. My input helps to shape a program that is both accessible and inclusive.
Role of the Nurse in Healthcare Program Implementation
Throughout implementation, nurses actively participate in carrying out the program. This includes coordinating care, monitoring patient progress, and addressing logistical issues (Flaubert, 2021). For instance, while the design phase involved planning for telehealth, in the implementation phase, nurses ensure patients know how to use the technology and manage their virtual appointments. The critical difference is that during design, we focus on strategy and planning, while in implementation, we actively participate in providing care and modifying the program in response to patient input.
Healthcare Team Members Most Needed in Program Implementation
Social workers, psychiatrists, mental health nurses, and specialists in digital health comprise the core team. Psychiatrists are crucial for diagnosis and treatment plans, while nurses provide ongoing monitoring and care coordination. Social workers address socioeconomic barriers, such as housing and employment, which are often intertwined with mental health issues. Digital health experts ensure the telehealth platform runs smoothly, which is essential for reaching patients in underserved areas. This interdisciplinary team provides comprehensive care for patients.
References
Flaubert, J. (2021). The role of nurses in improving health care access and quality. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573910/
Gajarawala, S., & Pelkowski, J. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Mongelli, F., Georgakopoulos, P., & Pato, M. T. (2020). Challenges and opportunities to meet the mental health needs of underserved and disenfranchised populations in the united states. Focus, 18(1), 16–24. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20190028
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Question
As their names imply, the honeyguide bird and the honey badger both share an affinity for honey. Honeyguide birds specialize in finding beehives but struggle to access the honey within. Honey badgers are well-equipped to raid beehives but cannot always find them. However, these two honey-loving species have learned to collaborate on an effective means to meet their objectives. The honeyguide bird guides honey badgers to newly discovered hives. Once the honey badger has ransacked the hive, the honey guide bird safely enters to enjoy the leftover honey.
Much like honeyguide birds and honey badgers, nurses and health professionals from other specialty areas can—and should—collaborate to design effective programs. Nurses bring specialties to the table that make them natural partners to professionals with different specialties. When nurses take the requisite leadership in becoming involved throughout the healthcare system, these partnerships can better design and deliver highly effective programs that meet objectives.
In this Assignment, you will practice this type of leadership by advocating for a healthcare program. Equally as important, you will advocate for a collaborative role of the nurse in the design and implementation of this program. To do this, assume you are preparing to be interviewed by a professional organization/publication regarding your thoughts on the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.
To Prepare:
- Review the Resources and reflect on your thinking regarding the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.
- Select a healthcare program within your practice and consider the design and implementation of this program.
- Reflect on advocacy efforts and the role of the nurse in relation to healthcare program design and implementation.
Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation (Mental Health)
The Assignment: (1–4 pages)
In a 1- to 4-page paper, create an interview transcript of your responses to the following interview questions:
- Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?
- Who is your target population?
- What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?
- What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?
- What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?
- Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?
Resource:
- https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/advocacy/
- Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Subject Area Nursing