Health Care Disparity Paper Grading Criteria
Choose one health care disparity that you would like to see changed.
Chosen health care disparity: Food insecurity in the elderly population (60+) residing in the community of Stephens County, OK.
Now… imagine you are a nurse who works with individuals who are facing the disparity you have chosen.
You will be using the nursing process to propose possible changes to improve the disparity. This needs to be something achievable by a nurse or a small group of nurses. Increasing funding and advocating for legislation reform is always admirable, but it will not be part of the scope of this assignment. Instead ask, what is something you could do now, something that is within your control to contribute to better health outcomes for this population?
Nursing Process
Assessment and Diagnosis: Diagnose a problem (a group or segment of our society who is medically under-served).
Clearly define who you will be working with in your paper. This will be population most effected. Investigate the extent of the disparity. Provide evidence that a disparity actually exists. Determine the healthcare implications- both currently and in the future if the disparity is not addressed. Consider this both at the individual patient level (consider mortality, morbidity, effects on culture and society), and on a larger scale, such as hospital and nationwide implications.
Plan
Identify one goal to reduce or remove the disparity. The goal must be S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound). Then create a plan to help you reach that goal. The plan will also need to follow the same SMART guidelines.
Implement
Identify how you will implement the solution. Keep in mind that if it’s not something that can be accomplished within a nurse’s scope of practice then the you have chosen may not be achievable or realistic for this paper. Describe the day to day activities that would need to happen for the plan to be put into place.
Evaluate
Identify what unit of measurement you will use to measure whether you have met your goal.
Identify how often and when the evaluation(s) will occur.
The paper will follow APA 7th edition format including Headings and will require four scholarly references. All four of the main references cannot be from a website. If additional references are used, the additional ones can be from a website. All references must be scholarly and provide accurate, up to date and current information (published within 5 years) and be from Oklahoma/Stephens County resources and Statistics.
The final paper should be 8-10 pages in length, not including your title page and references. The TurnItIn score must be no higher than 10%. The AI score must be no higher than 5%. The total quoted word count must be no higher than 15% (word count does not include title page or reference page).
Introduction, Assess healthcare implications, and diagnose (identify) a problem
Introduction of topic, utilizing research and citing sources. Include thesis statement.
Cite County data showing the disparity.
Why would you like to see this disparity change?
What variables might play a role in the creation of this disparity?
Why is this disparity important?
What are the implications for individuals, the community, and the healthcare system if the disparity continues? Include both economic and health costs.
includes political, socioeconomic, cultural, age-related, and professional implications
Plan a solution for the identified problem (disparity):
Should have Measurable goals – ex- a 10% reduction in condition X, versus “reduced rates of condition X”
How will you measure?
In what population will you apply the plan?
When would you measure to see if the plan was effective?
What is your solution and why do you believe it would be effective? Cite sources to support your claims.
Note any perceived barriers to change.
Implementation of proposed solution:
Teaching-learning strategies
How would you gain any needed funding, community support, supplies?
Be concrete about where, with what population, and when you would present this information and implement the change
How would you implement the plan? For example, if you are doing a teaching session, would you use a PowerPoint?
Evaluation of outcome of proposed solution:
What information would tell you that the plan is successful?
Would you continue to monitor the success of the plan? If so, at what intervals?
What would need to be in place for the plan to continue to succeed?
How would you know if you needed to make changes?
Can you find any sources that propose an alternate solution?
Conclusion:
Your recommendations for change
A summary of why the issue is important
Implications for the future: additional research needed? If so, what kind? Additional funding needed? Changes in practice needed?
