Policy Brief on Healthcare

Policy Brief on Healthcare

Compose a policy brief with a word count ranging from 750 to 1,000 words, which provides an overview of the healthcare issue, elucidates its impact on the populace, and offers a resolution to the problem.

Follow this structure when composing the essay on Healthcare Policy Brief:

Illustrate the healthcare issue influenced by policy. This encompasses: (a) specifying the demographic group affected, (b) identifying the geographical scope (local, state, or national), and (c) presenting substantiated information concerning the issue through credible sources.

Writing a statement that defines the problem.

Propose recommendations for tackling the healthcare concern instigated by the existing policy. Articulate the procedural requirements for instigating policy alteration. Incorporate pertinent stakeholders (government officials, administrators) and, if applicable, consider financial aspects and budgeting.

Examine the repercussions on the healthcare delivery system.

Incorporate three sources from peer-reviewed publications and two additional sources to substantiate the policy brief.

Prepare this assignment on Healthcare Policy Brief following the directives provided in the APA Style Guide, accessible in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not mandatory.

Note that this Healthcare Policy Brief assignment is evaluated using a rubric. We recommend reviewing the rubric before commencing the assignment to ensure alignment with the criteria for successful completion.

Healthcare Policy Brief essay

Write a 750-1,000-word policy brief that summarizes the issue, explains the effect on the population, and proposes a solution to the issue.

Follow this outline when writing the Healthcare Policy Brief essay:

Describe the policy health issue. Include the following information: (a) what population is affected, (b) at what level does it occur (local, state, or national), and (c) evidence about the issues supported by resources.

Create a problem statement.

Provide suggestions for addressing the health issue caused by the current policy. Describe what steps are required to initiate policy change. Include necessary stakeholders (government officials, administrator) and budget or funding considerations, if applicable.

Discuss the impact on the health care delivery system.

Include three peer-reviewed sources and two other sources to support the policy brief.

Prepare this Healthcare Policy Brief essay assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

This Healthcare Policy Brief essay assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Healthcare Policy Brief on Connected Health and Digital Therapeutics

Description of the Health Policy Issue

The healthcare policy issue at hand revolves around the introduction of novel connected health and digital therapeutics services. These innovative healthcare services aim to assist patients in implementing behavioral changes, provide real-time therapeutic support to medical professionals, and equip medical insurers with enhanced communication tools for more efficient beneficiary health management. Connected health and digital therapeutics services represent an emerging healthcare discipline that harnesses cutting-edge technologies to substitute or augment traditional drug therapies in treating various diseases.

NURS 8210 Discussions Week 1: Discussion on Health Information Technology and Nursing Informatics: Nursing Informatics Innovators

These services are currently reshaping the landscape of healthcare in the United States, impacting regulatory oversight, reimbursement policies, and the introduction of new medical treatments (Lakovleva, Oftedal & Bessant, 2019). Nevertheless, their full potential can only be realized through the establishment of new payment models and data-sharing processes that seamlessly integrate these services into the existing array of treatments and regulatory frameworks governing medical devices and therapies. Additionally, a focus on outcomes and endpoints, the development of new workflow processes that incorporate these novel data streams, and their alignment with financial models is imperative (Chanchaichujit et al., 2019).

Problem Statement

Advancements in technology have enabled the transition of connected health devices and digital therapeutics from conceptual ideas to tangible realities. Billions of dollars have been invested in their development for utilization within the healthcare sector. Furthermore, these innovations have obtained approvals from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and have undergone clinical validation to target specific health outcomes. For example, the Reset mobile application by Pear Therapeutics, developed in Boston, received approval for treating substance abuse, while Stockholm-based Natural Cycles gained approval as a birth control application. Additionally, other applications are in development for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, diabetes, and various conditions, with pending FDA approvals (NelsonHardiman, 2019).

However, three major concerns pose limitations on the value of connected health devices and digital therapeutics, making it challenging to effectively leverage their potential in healthcare. Firstly, integrating these products into the regulatory structure for FDA approvals and the broader treatment arsenal is a concern. Existing protocols and structures do not readily accommodate the controlled and safe use of these products, potentially leading to unsafe conditions. This concern is exacerbated by the fact that some of these products have already received clinical validation from the FDA, creating the possibility of hasty market introduction without adequate safeguards. While these technologies are usable, the absence of standardized usage protocols poses risks of adverse healthcare outcomes (Tan, 2020).

The second concern pertains to an excessive focus on endpoints at the expense of outcomes. Some of these products minimize the involvement of healthcare professionals or even eliminate their presence altogether. This can result in positive endpoints that are unsustainable due to the lack of personalized care delivery. The third concern relates to the impact of these products on existing medical practices. Healthcare facilities and practices have established data streams aimed at enhancing care delivery while adhering to information management regulations. However, these products introduce new data streams that have the potential to disrupt medical practices, necessitating new work structures and additional responsibilities to interpret the new data effectively. The fourth concern centers on the cost implications and whether these costs are justified within the healthcare industry. As emerging technologies, these products can be expensive, reflecting the substantial investments made in their development. This cost factor raises questions about whether the expected outcomes align with the product costs and subscription prices, as their effectiveness has not been systematically matched with financial models (Chanchaichujit et al., 2019).

Suggestions for Addressing the Health Policy Issue

Four key suggestions are proposed to address the presented problem. The first suggestion involves establishing new payment models and data-sharing processes to facilitate the integration of connected health devices and digital therapeutics into the regulatory framework for FDA approvals and the broader treatment spectrum. This standardization effort aims to eliminate potential errors and negative care outcomes while enhancing accountability among relevant stakeholders (Tan, 2020). The second suggestion entails a deeper involvement in care delivery with a dual focus on both outcomes and endpoints. This approach emphasizes the utilization of real-world data and the strengthening of the patient-healthcare professional connection.

The third suggestion advocates for the introduction of new workflow processes that incorporate the data streams generated by these innovative products. Furthermore, the integration of these products into electronic health record (EHR) systems is recommended to maximize their value. This integration is expected to provide insights into real-world patient behaviors, enhance the efficiency of healthcare discussions, and improve interactions between patients and healthcare professionals. The fourth suggestion encourages partnerships aimed at demonstrating the results of these products. Beyond showcasing positive healthcare outcomes, it is essential to align these outcomes with financial models to gain a comprehensive understanding of their effectiveness. Such partnerships can also contribute to greater efficiency and predictability in healthcare spending (Chanchaichujit et al., 2019).

Impact on the Healthcare Delivery System

The four policy suggestions are designed to ensure the realization of the value offered by connected health devices and digital therapeutics. These suggestions minimize disruptions to workflow processes as they facilitate the integration of information management systems. Furthermore, they enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery by linking the products to care outcomes and endpoints. Additionally, these suggestions offer predictive models that can be leveraged through partnerships to ensure financial viability and performance alignment with predefined parameters (Tan, 2020).

References

Black, B. (2020). Professional Nursing: Concepts & Challenges (9th ed.). Elsevier.

Chanchaichujit, J., Tan, A., Meng, F., & Eaimkhong, S. (2019). Healthcare 4.0: Next Generation Processes with the Latest Technologies. Palgrave Pivot/Springer Nature.

Lakovleva, T., Oftedal, E., & Bessant, J. (Eds.) (2019). Responsible Innovation in Digital Health: Empowering the Patient. Edward Elgar Publishing.

NelsonHardiman (2019, March 19). New Report Sees Digital Therapeutics as “Reshaping the Landscape” of Certain Aspects of Healthcare. https://www.nelsonhardiman.com/hc-law-news/new-report-sees-digital-therapeutics-as-reshaping-the-landscape-of-certain-aspects-of-healthcare/

Tan, J. (2020). Adaptive Health Management Information Systems: Concepts, Cases, and Practical Applications (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.