D025 Task 2 Advocating for Policy Change to Improve Health Outcomes in the Community

Student Name

Western Governors University 

D025 Essentials of Advanced Nursing Roles and Interprofessional Practice

Prof. Name

Date

Advanced Professional Nurse as Advocate

Nurses play a vital role as advocates for patients in various settings, making advocacy a fundamental aspect of nursing practice. According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), advocacy is a core responsibility that nurses fulfill not only for individual patients but also within healthcare institutions and communities (American Nurses Association [ANA], n.d.). The form and focus of advocacy depend largely on the setting.

Advanced professional nurses expand their advocacy beyond individual patient care to address broader community health concerns, especially for populations at risk. These nurses analyze demographic and statistical data to identify pressing health issues within communities and then develop tailored advocacy strategies aimed at driving policy changes or launching community health programs. For example, in a community context, nurses may advocate for systemic changes to improve health outcomes for vulnerable groups.

In contrast, clinical advocacy focuses more narrowly on individual patients. Here, nurses use personalized approaches based on a patient’s medical history and specific needs to improve their treatment plans and overall health outcomes. This dual approach to advocacy highlights the nurse’s ability to operate on multiple levels, both broad and individualized, to promote health and wellness.

Interprofessional Collaboration in Advocacy

As healthcare delivery evolves, nurses increasingly take on critical roles such as policy development, coordination of care, and healthcare innovation implementation (Moss, Seifert, & O’Sullivan, 2016). Successful advocacy by advanced nurses often involves creating an Advocacy Action Team (AAT) that depends on interprofessional collaboration.

Interprofessional collaboration refers to different healthcare professionals working together alongside patients, families, and communities to deliver high-quality care (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017). Two main strategies support effective collaboration within an AAT:

• Role-defining: Clarifying each team member’s responsibilities promotes a shared understanding of objectives and strengthens teamwork.

• Promoting diversity: Incorporating diverse perspectives, skills, and expertise encourages innovative solutions and well-rounded decision-making.

Together, these strategies enhance the team’s ability to advocate effectively for improved health outcomes.

Data-Driven Health Issue: Rise in Sexually Transmitted Infections in Solano County

Solano County, California, with over 400,000 residents in seven cities, has seen a disturbing increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Between 2012 and 2015, reported STI cases rose by 13.3%, totaling 2,430 infections (Solano County Health, 2019). Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis are the most prevalent, with gonorrhea cases escalating by 95.5% from 2012 to 2016. These local trends mirror statewide increases exceeding 14% during the same period (Hansen, 2018).

Characteristics of the At-Risk Population

Young adults aged 20-24 are the most vulnerable demographic to STIs in Solano County, followed by adolescents aged 13-19 (Hansen, 2018). Racial disparities are significant; African Americans experience chlamydia infection rates four to five times higher and gonorrhea rates six to eleven times higher than non-Hispanic Whites (Solano County Health, 2016).

Social Determinants of Health Influencing STI Rates

A critical social determinant impacting the rise in STI cases is limited access to quality healthcare. Many minority groups, adolescents, and young adults face barriers such as high healthcare costs and insufficient provider availability. These obstacles reduce their ability to obtain preventive education, timely diagnoses, and appropriate treatment. Addressing these healthcare disparities is essential for reversing STI trends in these populations.

Current Policy Landscape and Identified Gaps

Presently, Solano County lacks targeted policies specifically addressing the surge in STI rates among youth and minority groups. Existing initiatives generally aim to improve healthcare access but fall short of meeting the distinct needs of vulnerable subpopulations. This deficiency underscores the urgency for policies designed to address these specific community health challenges effectively.

Policy Proposal: School-Based STI Screening and Education

The proposed policy combines treatment and education, targeting middle and high school students. Under this initiative, healthcare professionals would volunteer monthly to provide free STI screenings, prevention education, and treatment services directly in schools. Delivering services within schools helps overcome financial and access barriers, as adolescents can receive care conveniently in a familiar environment. This approach aligns with the Healthy People 2030 objectives to increase adolescent preventive healthcare visits (Healthy People 2030, n.d.).

Health Impact of the Proposed Policy

Education is a central component of this policy. School programs will inform students about STI symptoms, prevention, and treatment options. Early testing and diagnosis are crucial in controlling transmission, as timely intervention can prevent the spread of infections (Hansen, 2018). Private consultations with healthcare providers in schools promote adolescent autonomy and trust, which are essential for effective health promotion (Healthy People 2030, n.d.).

Ensuring Equitable Resource Distribution

This policy aims to ensure equity by targeting schools in both affluent and underserved areas. Recruitment of healthcare volunteers from diverse backgrounds reflective of the community’s demographics enhances engagement and trust, encouraging more adolescents to utilize the services.

Ethical Considerations

The policy is consistent with the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics, especially Provision 3, which emphasizes nurses’ duty to advocate for patient rights and health (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2016). It also aligns with Provision 8, promoting interprofessional collaboration to reduce health disparities and achieve equity.

Potential Barriers to Policy Implementation

Challenges include possible parental objections to STI education and treatment provided without explicit consent, which could limit adolescent participation. Additionally, obtaining approval from school administrators is vital; resistance from school leadership may hinder the program’s successful launch.

Key Policy Makers

Lizette Estrella-Henderson, superintendent of Solano County schools, plays a crucial role in policy implementation. As the leader overseeing school funding, programs, and coordination, her support is instrumental in advancing this initiative.

Strategic Recommendations for Nursing Advocacy

To enhance advocacy effectiveness, care must be tailored to the adolescent population to improve educational and health outcomes. Pursuing Public Health Nurse certification would provide nurses with specialized skills to address community health issues like STIs more effectively.

Comparison of Advocacy Approaches by Setting

References

American Nurses Association – Advocacy. (n.d.). https://www.nursingworld.org/practicepolicy/advocacy/

American Nurses Association. (2016). Code of Ethics for Nurses. https://nursing.rutgers.edu/wpcontent/uploads/2019/06/ANA-Code-of-Ethics-for-Nurses.pdf

Hansen, T. R. (2018, February 14). STD rates on the rise in Solano. Daily Republic. https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/solano-news/solano-county/std-rates-on-the-rise-in-solano-state/

Healthy People 2030. (n.d.). Increase the proportion of adolescents who speak privately with a provider during preventive medical visits. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/adolescents/increase-proportion-adolescents-who-speak-privately-provider-preventive-medical-visit-ah-02

Moss, E., Seifert, P., & O’Sullivan, A. (2016, September 30). Registered Nurses as Interprofessional Collaborative Partners: Creating Value-Based Outcomes. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 21(3). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol21No03Man04

Solano County Health. (2016, April). Solano County chlamydia and gonorrhea rates. https://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=2617

Solano County Health. (2019, April). Public Health Data. https://www.solanocounty.com/depts/ph/reports.asp

World Health Organization. (2017, March 8). Framework for action on interprofessional education & collaborative practice. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/70185/1/WHO_HRH_HPN_10.3_eng.pdf