NUR 706 Population Health Management II
Question:
How do you see global health concerns impacting your community?
Answer:
From the onset, I have to agree with Halpern et al (2015) that the nursing profession has continued to experience drastic changes over time. The responsibilities and duties that nurses undertake in their routine practice have not only become more complex but significantly increased. Until the last lesson, I used to think that nurses’ roles are strictly confined to primary support, leadership and coordination and patient advocacy. But looking at the emerging trends in public health, I realize that I have more to play as a nurse. In this reflection, therefore, I will look at the future issues that are likely to bear significant impact on public health, and how global health matters are likely to affect my community in Virginia. Now knowing what lies ahead and with the knowledge I have acquired over time, I will reflect further on what I can do at a personal level to implement population health at my workplace or my community.
There exist a vast number of health issues that are likely to bear a great impact on the way we perceive public health today and in future (Nash et al, 2015). The trends present a mixed bag with both positive and negative outcomes. These issues include rural healthcare, consumerism in healthcare, the workforce change, transformation of administration with regard to specialty drugs and benefits strategy, integrated care for population health, and use of technology in transformation and acceleration of healthcare (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2015). Others include disruption of revenue and drug supply chain flow and legal and regulatory changes.
Each of the aforementioned aspects is bound to impact healthcare provision either positively or otherwise. In the US and specifically Virginia, the matter of evolving healthcare environment and workforce may ominously affect the delivery of healthcare services as well as the lives of its residents. Thousands of young and energetic individuals are likely to join the industry. Apart from wages, this generation of manpower wants not just decent wages but a sense of meaning, a job where their help is felt (Arcaya & Figueroa, 2017). However, the skills needed by this workforce are rapidly changing and this may render make them useless in some circumstances. Consider my state, Virginia where hurricanes and tsunamis are frequent. Such catastrophes make routine support to trauma victims difficult since there are normally power outs and the hospitals are filled to capacity. These are situations that a modern-day nurse may not have been trained to operate in yet is required to act.
My vision is to become a public health nurse educator. With knowledge of imminent disasters across the US and the world at large, I will endeavor to research and educate aspiring nurses the necessary skills required for patient care during disasters. This, I hope, will prepare the new generation of nurses to cope with frequent catastrophes that hit the world such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. I can also organize population health campaigns on disaster management and preparedness. I believe this will make a modern nurse relevant and satisfied.Identify one way that you can implement population health in your community or workplace.
References
Arcaya, M. C., & Figueroa, J. F. (2017). Emerging trends could exacerbate health inequities in The United States. Health Affairs, 36(6), 992-998.
Halpern, B. S., Longo, C., Lowndes, J. S. S., Best, B. D., Frazier, M., Katona, S. K., & Selig, E. R. (2015). Patterns and emerging trends in global ocean health. PloS one, 10(3), e0117863.
Nash, D. B., Reifsnyder, J., Fabius, R. J., Clarke, J. L., & Skoufalos, A. (2015). Population health. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2015). Public health nursing-e-book: Population-centered health care in the community. Elsevier Health Sciences.
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