Issues related to healthcare policy planning and formulation are having and will continue to have noteworthy impacts on health-related paradigms and health care development in the 21st century, not only in the United States but also globally (Almgren, 2007). On reflection, I can state that these impacts could not have been comprehensively understood if I failed to enroll in this course, and this dearth of knowledge could have negatively affected by learning and professional development. But upon enrollment and active participation in this course, I have benefited a great deal in not only evaluating the policy implications of healthcare legislation, but also in understanding ways through which I can undertake research to integrate the scientific evidence in the formulation of health policies, particularly those that are related to at-risk populations such as people suffering from HIV/AIDS or those suffering from various heart conditions. Additionally, this course has been an eye opener in enlightening my intellectual and practical capacities on the major issues and trends that impact on the delivery of healthcare nationally and internationally.
In policy implications, perhaps one of the most important things that I have learnt is what we as individual nurses need to do to state our opinions and perspectives to those in power with a view to potentially influence health care policy. On reflection, I now know that I can indeed influence the health policy by seeking out to become a registered member of the nursing association in my local area, and afterwards registering with the local chapter of a national body such as the American Nurses Association. Such membership will not only boost my professional development by virtue of belonging to an ascribed professional body, but it will enhance my chances of actively contributing to healthcare legislation and evaluating how the policies passed by our law makers impact on healthcare delivery.
This course has been particularly instrumental in developing my research acumen with regard to finding scientific evidence that could be used to provide credence to the various healthcare policies and to provide the groundwork to reformulate other policies that may not provide optimal results. On reflection, I have come to realize that information is a powerful tool in the nursing practice, and it is a fundamental component of our role as professional nurses to seek out this information when developing healthcare policies, no matter what our educational level. Through this course, I have come to realize that although we may not agree with the positions of those in political office or those leading various nursing associations, we have an opportunity to undertake critical research aimed at analyzing our own opinions, consider the viewpoints progressed by others, and take action by assuming an informed perspective.
The at-risk populations require tailor-made solutions to assist them effectively manage the conditions affecting them. Through this course, I have come to understand that at-risk individuals need customized policy initiatives to assist them effectively manage their conditions and provide them with the information they need to manage their conditions. Policies need to be put in place to ensure people living with diabetes or HIV/AIDS are accorded enough support not only in ensuring that they sufficiently meet their treatment requirements, but also in ensuring they are exposed to social support systems for collaboration and psychological care. This course has been instrumental in facilitating the development of requisite knowledge that could be used to formulate and implement such policies aimed at at-risk populations.
Lastly, this course has enabled the development of a deeper understanding on the major issues and trends that impact on the delivery of healthcare in the country as well as internationally. Such knowledge, in my understanding, is important for my future professional development as it will be instrumental in assisting us to decipher the policy frameworks that need to be revised in order to occasion more desirable health outcomes.
Reference List
Almgren, G.R. (2007). Healthcare politics, policy and services: A social justice analysis. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company