Health Policy Brief

NURS 412: Ethics, Law, Economics, Policy

 

Purpose of Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is for the student to develop advocacy skills. The student will explore a health policy topic from a variety of perspectives, using this information as a foundation for policy development and advocacy. This assignment is designed to help you work in a group to prepare a policy brief which will be sent to a legislator. The assignment engages you in learning about an issue and to accurately – and in a non-biased fashion -- identify the policy and political issues that are central to that topic.

​

Student Approach to Assignment

This was a group assignment that I contributed to by researching the proposed bill on doula care services as well as the evidence to support passage of it. It reflects my personal values of making healthcare accessible to all, which is seen in the evidence section discussing how culturally competent doulas can improve outcomes for the underserved communities. Through this assignment I learned how to begin advocating for a change in healthcare policy, seen through the official recommendations section of the brief, as well as my email to my local legislator.

​

Reason for Inclusion of this Assignment in the Portfolio 

I include this in my portfolio as it demonstrates my ability to advocate for healthcare policy change based on current evidence. This is important to me because healthcare policies affect my personal nursing practice, and as a contributing member to the nursing field, I believe in supporting the best practices to be available for all people. In this case, the best practice of doula care is supported by recommending this bill be passed, which is shown through the evidence to be beneficial for many diverse people groups.

 

Domain 4: Scholarship for Nursing Discipline 

(25) Applies research-based knowledge from nursing as the basis for culturally sensitive practice.

I use this healthcare brief to apply the evidence found supporting doula care to populations who are from diverse cultures. The research-based knowledge is that doula support services are recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and services are associated with better labor outcomes. Thus, I apply the evidence to recommend a bill be passed that helps address maternal health disparities by providing culturally competent community-based doulas for black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women.

​

Domain 7: Systems-Based Practice 

(36) Understands the effect of legal and regulatory processes on nursing practice and health care delivery.

This outcome is met through the research involved in the health policy brief itself. As mentioned in the overview, I explored the process the bill must go through to be passed, and lobbied for the bill to be passed by sending this brief to my local legislator with recommendations for action. I address the effect of this legal process on health care delivery in the overview when discussing how the passing of this bill can help address maternal health disparities and improve care experiences.

​

Domain 4: Scholarship for Nursing Discipline &

Domain 7: Systems-Based Practice

(37) Considers the impact of research outcomes and the effects of health and social policies on persons from diverse backgrounds.  

This criterion is met with the display of evidence presented in this healthcare policy brief. The evidence shows a healthcare disparity related to doula care access in certain cultures such as black, American Indian, and Alaska Natives. Doula care is supported by further research highlighted in this brief to be beneficial to birthing outcomes. The goal of the brief is for the legislator to support a policy that will help doula care access within these culturally diverse populations that currently experience this disparity.

​

Download a Word document of my Intro Page here.

Download my Health Policy Brief here,

and see proof of emailing the brief to a legislator here.