Conduct research in the Walden Library and other reliable resources to determine strategies being used to address these challenges.

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What Can Nurses Do?

Many people, most of them in tropical countries of the Third World, die of preventable, curable diseases. . . . Malaria, tuberculosis, acute lower-respiratory infections—in 1998, these claimed 6.1 million lives. People died because the drugs to treat those illnesses are nonexistent or are no longer effective. They died because it doesn’t pay to keep them alive.
–Ken Silverstein, Millions for Viagra. Pennies for Diseases of the Poor, The Nation, July 19, 1999

Unfortunately, since 1998, little has changed. For many individuals living in impoverished underdeveloped countries, even basic medical care is difficult to obtain. Although international agencies sponsor outreach programs and corporations, and although nonprofit organizations donate goods and services, the level of health care remains far below what is necessary to meet the needs of struggling populations. Polluted water supplies, unsanitary conditions, and poor nutrition only exacerbate the poor health prevalent in these environments. Nurses working in developed nations have many opportunities/advantages that typically are not available to those in underdeveloped countries. What can nurses do to support their international colleagues and advocate for the poor and underserved of the world?

In this Discussion, you will consider the challenges of providing health care for the world’s neediest citizens, as well as how nurses can advocate for these citizens.

To prepare:

  • Consider the challenges of providing health care in underdeveloped countries.
  • Conduct research in the Walden Library and other reliable resources to determine strategies being used to address these challenges.
  • Using this week’s Learning Resources, note the factors that impact the ability of individuals in underdeveloped nations to obtain adequate health care.
  • Consider strategies nurses can use to advocate for health care at the global level. What can one nurse do to make a difference?

Post by Day 3 a description of at least two challenges related to providing adequate health care in underdeveloped countries. Then, describe two strategies you might use to address those challenges, and explain why. Finally, describe one strategy nurses might use in advocating for health care at the global level, and explain why this would be an effective strategy.

Readings

What are some strategies you could employ to improve the health literacy of patients?

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Health Literacy

In order to effectively manage their own health, individuals need to have competencies in two areas—basic literacy and basic health literacy. What is the difference? Basic literacy refers to the ability to read, even simple language. Health literacy is defined as, “the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions” (National Coalition for Literacy, 2009). Unfortunately, according to a Department of Education report on health literacy, only 12% of adults aged 16 and older are considered to have a proficient level of health literacy (U.S. Department of Education, 2006). Acquiring health literacy skills has become more complicated with the explosion of online health information, some credible and some misleading.

In this Discussion, you focus on how to help individuals find credible information on the Internet and develop strategies nurses can use to increase the health literacy of their patients.

To prepare:

  • Think about the nurse’s role in improving the health literacy of patients.
  • Consider the many ways patients access health information, including blogs, social media, patient portals, websites, etc.
  • Reflect on experiences you have had with patients who self-diagnose using online medical sources.
  • Using the Internet, the Walden Library, or other trustworthy sources, identify a resource that you could introduce to patients to help them evaluate the credibility of health information found online.
  • What are some strategies you could employ to improve the health literacy of patients?

Post on or before Day 3 your assessment of the nurse’s role in improving the health literacy of patients. Then, identify the resource you would recommend to patients for evaluating online health information and why it would be beneficial. Describe additional strategies for assisting patients in becoming informed consumers of online health information.

What has changed over the last 20 years? Have the changes been positive or negative?

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Identify components of a patient’s health care record.

Part 2

 

Examine the influence of technology and reform in the health care industry.

 

Consider the following questions as you write your article:

  • What has changed over the last 20 years? Have the changes been positive or negative?
  • How has the patient been affected by the changes?

Use terms from your Weekly Vocabulary Exercises and readings. Emphasize at least 10 terms by bolding them in your final document.

 

Identify three (3) other health problems cited in the literature that are linked to stress, and for each prepare a 1-paragraph description of the evidence supporting this contention.

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Post-traumatic stress disorder has often been cited as the clearest indication that the stress condition causes disease. Identify three (3) other health problems cited in the literature that are linked to stress, and for each prepare a 1-paragraph description of the evidence supporting this contention. Then provide a 1-paragraph assessment as to whether you agree or disagree with the strength of the linkage between stress and the diseases cited. (20 points) (A 1-page response is required.)

Must be in APA format with references

a.     What are the claims being made by the proponents of the healthy life-style behaviors regarding the reduction of stress and the prevention of disease?

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The popular media have reported a great deal of information linking stress management with healthy life-styles. Provide three (3) examples of this linkage in a 1-paragraph description. Then, answer the following three (3) questions. (30 points) (A 2-page response is required.)

a.     What are the claims being made by the proponents of the healthy life-style behaviors regarding the reduction of stress and the prevention of disease?

b.    Are these claims credible? If so, why? If not, why not?

 

c.     If given the opportunity, what recommendations would you make to the media to give the public an enhanced understanding of the relationship between lifestyle, stress reduction, and health?

 

, briefly describe three (3) responses you think a physician should give to a patient who makes this request, and provide a one-paragraph justification for your position. (20 points) 

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From your review of the literature, briefly describe three (3) circumstances in which you believe physician-assisted suicide would be appropriate, and write a one-paragraph justification for your position. If you believe that physician-assisted suicide is never justified, briefly describe three (3) responses you think a physician should give to a patient who makes this request, and provide a one-paragraph justification for your position. (20 points)

Must be in APA format with references listed.

What would be the three (3) most important points you want the group to understand at the end of your presentation?

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A physician’s group has asked you, a student of medical sociology, to give a talk on the implications of assisted suicide for society in general. What would be the three (3) most important points you want the group to understand at the end of your presentation? Please provide a one-paragraph description of each point and a one-paragraph rationale for your answer.

A 2+-page response is required.

 

Evaluate how you would strategize to keep a balanced budget for all 12 months in a year using a flexible budget rather than a static budget, and provide rationale and justification.

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What do you believe are the primary advantages and disadvantages of having multiple revenue sources for health care services offered by an organization for planning and reporting purposes?

2nd assignment

This assignment will require you to consider several influences to the budgeting process of a health care institution. Here, you will review payer mix and other influences to revenue as you consider revenue factors for the budget. Complete the following for this assignment:

For a health care organization of your choice (real or hypothetical), describe the type of organization, and determine the payer mix of patients served (percentage of Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, managed care, and private pay).
Take into consideration that reimbursement can be affected by the claims process, out-of-network payments, denials, audits, and legislation.
Assess the differences in health care budgeting as a result of these potential changes in the payer mix and payment methodologies as an outcome of the Affordable Care Act.
Take into consideration that while more patients may have insurance coverage, the out-of-pocket expenses will continue to create a potential uncollectable liability.
Evaluate how you would strategize to keep a balanced budget for all 12 months in a year using a flexible budget rather than a static budget, and provide rationale and justification.
The body of the resultant paper should be (5) pages and include at least 5 relevant academic or professional references published in the past 5 years.

Which method do you think would work best to obtain this information: a questionnaire, a face-to-face interview, or a group interview?

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You are interested in nurses’ attitudes toward EBP. Which method do you think would work best to obtain this information: a questionnaire, a face-to-face interview, or a group interview? Defend your answer.