Nursing Advocacy in the Implementation of Health Policy

Healthcare policy plays a pivotal role in shaping the accessibility, quality, and equity of healthcare services. The formulation of healthcare policies has become imperative for nations as they try to navigate complex challenges such as rising healthcare costs, an aging population, and disparities in care. These policies are important because they help in improving aspects of care like access, quality, health outcomes, and cost (Adams et al., 2024). During this process of policy formulation, Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) become uniquely positioned to advocate for policy changes that promote patient-centered care, improve health outcomes, and address systemic inequities. This discussion focuses on a policy brief from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the relevance of the issue mentioned in the brief, solutions to the healthcare issue, and how APNs can advocate for policy implementation.

The Issue and the APN

The issue selected from the  Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website is health equity measurement. The brief dwells on the most effective ways that can be used for health equity benchmarking and the advantages/disadvantages of these approaches. The approaches to health equity benchmarking identified include Using the best-performing group as a reference, using the most socially advantaged group as a reference, comparing against a population average, and comparing against a set target or goal (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2023). The brief emphasizes the importance of selecting a method that considers systemic inequalities and does not perpetuate stigma or blame on marginalized populations. Based on the investigation of the four mentioned approaches, the conclusion mentions that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to benchmarking for health equity (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2023). The policy brief stresses the significance of detailed documentation, contextual interpretation, and discussion of root causes to maintain focus on the goal of advancing health equity.

Examining the Key Elements of Evidence Based Practice

The issue discussed in the brief, regarding the selection of benchmarks for measuring health equity, is highly relevant to advanced nursing practice. Firstly, APNs work in clinical settings where benchmarking is a key aspect of evaluating clinical practices. These nurses can assess healthcare outcomes and tailor interventions to achieve health equity, especially among underserved populations. Secondly, APNs are involved in matters of health advocacy and research (Adams et al., 2024). The knowledge of benchmarking methods can inform policy recommendations and advocacy strategies aimed at promoting equitable access to healthcare services and resources. The information from the policy brief can be used by APNs to educate other providers and healthcare organizations about health equity.

Weaknesses and Strengths

The policy brief about health equity and ways to ensure effective benchmarking has some positive and negative impacts on the healthcare system. One of the positive impacts is that it raises awareness about the complexities of benchmarking for health equity measurement. The brief equips policymakers and practitioners with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions that can promote health equity. Secondly, the policy brief promotes evidence-based clinical decision-making. By highlighting the key methods of benchmarking, the policy brief encourages stakeholders to base their actions on sound empirical evidence rather than assumptions or preconceptions (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2023). The third advantage is that the brief facilitates critical dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders involved in health equity measurement.

One of the negative impacts of the policy brief is the potential for confusion and uncertainty. The provision of an array of benchmarking approaches can confuse stakeholders, especially those less familiar with the issue. Secondly, the policy risks implementation challenges because it does not provide practical ways to benchmark health equity. The policy fails to address issues like data availability, resource constraints, and stakeholder engagement that may impact the process. Lastly, the policy brief does not offer guidance on which method to choose in specific contexts. There is no clear recommendation for the benchmarking method to use when evaluating health equity.

Making Learning Interesting – Focus on Active Learning No Matter the Situation

The Solution

The first solution to the issue of health equity benchmarking is developing clear guidelines and decision-making frameworks. The frameworks should provide step-by-step instructions for assessing the appropriateness of different benchmarking approaches based on factors such as data availability, population characteristics, and desired outcomes. The second possible solution for this issue is enhancing capacity building and training for policymakers. Training programs like webinars, workshops, and online resources should be used to cover essential topics like health disparities and health equity (Barcellona et al., 2023). Training and capacity building can help policymakers and providers make more informed decisions and effectively implement interventions aimed at promoting health equity. The third solution, or rather a recommendation for this issue, is fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders (Adams et al., 2024). Those involved in matters of policy and providers directly involved in benchmarking practices should exchange best practices and come together to generate innovative approaches to addressing health disparities.

Taking a Stand

Family Nurse Practitioners can be key stakeholders in advocating for the implementation of policies related to health equity and effective benchmarking practices. I support this policy brief because it provides a way to identify health disparities and establish a standard for evaluating efforts used to address health inequities. The first way that I can advocate for this policy implementation is through educational initiatives. Using continuing education sessions and other workshops can help to increase awareness about health equity. The second way will involve engagement in policy advocacy to ensure regulations that mandate the collection and reporting of health equity data are supported (Adams et al., 2024). Lastly, I will collaborate with healthcare providers, researchers, and policymakers to develop effective strategies to implement the health equity benchmarking strategies. Participating in a multidisciplinary task force or committee will also serve to oversee the implementation of the policy.

References

Adams, S., Komene, E., Wensley, C., Davis, J., & Carryer, J. (2024). Integrating nurse practitioners into primary healthcare to advance health equity through a social justice lens: An integrative review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 10.1111/jan.16093. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16093

Barcellona, C., Mariñas, Y. B., Tan, S. Y., Lee, G., Ko, K. C., Chham, S., Chhorvann, C., Leerapan, B., Pham Tien, N., & Lim, J. (2023). Measuring health equity in the ASEAN region: Conceptual framework and assessment of data availability. International Journal for Equity in Health, 22(1), 251.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02059-2

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2023). Health Equity Measurement: Considerations for Selecting a Benchmark. https://www.rwjf.org/en/insights/our-research/2023/09/health-equity-measurement-considerations-for-selecting-a-benchmark.html