Policy
The policy selected is the infectious diseases policy since it is one of the constant threats to public health. This policy aims at providing a range of guidelines and regulations that indicates the importance of controlling infectious diseases and preventing outbreaks. Therefore, policymakers advocate for ways to treat the infectious disease, curing it, and coming up with prevention measures to combat the spread. This paper will focus on infectious diseases in particular influenza policy, Kingdon’s three-stream framework, and the policy process.
The rationale for this research
The onset of infectious diseases is characterized by individuals acquiring the disease and is also, characterized as communicable to other people. The infected at the healthcare care facilities make the healthcare practitioners more susceptible to contact with influenza. Therefore, the epidemiologist in response to the rising prevalence of influenza cases, are responsible for looking for interventions and preventive measures. According to Craig et al., (2010), these interventions should be prioritized by the policymakers, professionals at the healthcare facilities, and the public at large. The influenza policy is aimed at keeping the healthcare practitioners alert and knowledgeable on the appropriate practices and regulations to focus on to curb the spread.
Kingdon’s three-stream framework
A policy theory lays down how medical practitioners should evaluate a problem, understand it, and respond to it accordingly. To improve a situation or solve a problem, the policymakers should consider Kingdon’s model has three streams which include; problem stream, policy stream, and political stream (Rawat & Morris, 2016). According to Howie (2009), the problem stream seeks to identify the key issues that piqued the government’s interest. In this case, outcomes of related research done increased reported cases of influenza, or identified risk factors may present the issue to the policymakers. This then prompts laws and campaigns to create awareness of the epidermic and reduce the spread. In Kingdon’s framework model, the second stream is the policy stream which entails the possible input about the onset and spread of influenza. This input includes reports from healthcare facilities, patients, and healthcare workers. The third stream in Kingdon’s framework is the political stream which looks into the contribution made by politics to the issue. It is based on the attitudes and ideologies of the policymakers and general public towards the issue. Howie (2009) says, “The political stream typically looks at national mood” surrounding the identified issue, changes in administration, and political opponents and proponents of an issue” (p. 650, 651). These three streams framework is executed independently to eventually bring an opportunity window that ensures a solution to the issue is met.
Stages in the policy process
The policy process entails the formulation stage, adoption, implementation, and evaluation stages. Some of the stages where the analysis framework may provide guidance are agenda-setting (Fawcett & Russell, 2001). This stage involves the identification of a problem that is affecting the public and seeking ways to give a solution. The implementation stage in the policy process is another area analysis framework can guide in. According to Hewison (2007), healthcare practitioners, patients, and the general public aid in practicing the adopted policies. In the evaluation stage, an analysis framework can guide in the determination of whether the set policies can achieve the intended goals. Using the infectious disease policy, the last step in policymaking involves determining whether how clear and concise the policy is. However, for the analysis framework to be successful, the involved parties should play their part in the policy process.
Power and Influence using Stakeholders Analysis and how to Partner and Build Consensus
Stakeholders have the power to put a halt to the suggested policy framework or to advance it. During the planning and implementation of the policy framework, stakeholders’ power and influence comes in as they help in providing clarity to the policy objectives and implementing the policy issues agreed upon (Lewis, 2019). To partner and build a consensus with the stakeholders concerning the suggested policy framework, first people most likely to be affected are selected then an outline on what the policy encompasses is given. All participants share their opinions and ideas, listen to those of others, and remain open to them and a consensus is then built when an agreement is reached.
References
Craig, R. L., Felix, H. C., Walker, J. F., & Phillips, M. M. (2010). Public health professionals as policy entrepreneurs: Arkansas’s childhood obesity policy experience.American Journal of Public Health, 100(11), 2047-2052. Web.
Fawcett, J., & Russell, G. (2001). A conceptual model of nursing and health policy. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 2(2), 108-116. Web.
Hewison, A. (2007). Policy analysis: a framework for nurse managers. Journal of Nursing Management, 15(7), 693-699. Web.
Howie, W. O. (2009). Mandatory reporting of medical errors: crafting policy and integrating it into practice.The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 5(9), 649-654. Web.
Lewis, L. (2019). Organizational change (pp. 406-423). Routledge. Web.
Rawat, P., & Morris, J. C. (2016). K Kingdon’s “Streams” Model at Thirty: Still Relevant in the 21st Century?. Politics & Policy, 44(4), 608-638. Web.