Introduction
The development and implementation of health policy fellowships are highly relevant when addressing important medical issues and helping certain populations. In the field of gerontology, the involvement of stakeholders who are able to assist older adults may be organized by offering participation in special training programs. Fellowships promoted to engage healthcare professionals are essential in the context of interaction with the target audience in question and contribute to increasing the quality of medical care. For nursing practice, the implementation of such projects can have valuable implications due to the development of effective strategies to assist older adults in meeting their needs and ensuring normal living conditions.
Fellowship Description
As an object of analysis, the Health and Aging Policy Fellowship is considered. This project is presented by Health and Aging Policy Fellows as an organization that is involved in developing programs for working with older Americans (“Developing a cadre of leaders,” n.d.). This agency notes that annually, it offers 15 fellowships to those healthcare professionals who are interested in working in the gerontology industry (“Developing a cadre of leaders,” n.d.). In addition, special bonuses in the form of housing opportunities are offered. The difficulties that the country’s older adults face and the barriers to comprehensive care are the key topics addressed.
Reasons for Choosing the Fellowship Program
Participation in the considered fellowship program carries several positive implications. Firstly, the country’s older population as a vulnerable social class can count on comprehensive support provided by qualified healthcare professionals. Helping those people who cannot fulfill their needs on their own is one of the significant aspects of nursing practice. Therefore, supporting the target audience is a natural obligation to which many interested parties should adhere.
Secondly, participation in such a program is an opportunity to improve personal skills in specific healthcare industry. Gerontology, as a field of nursing practice, has a number of approaches for intervention since different issues and needs of the target audience may be addressed. Moreover, through appropriate training, medical specialists can establish contacts with other employees and introduce change projects together, thereby increasing the credibility of the work conducted. Therefore, the involvement of specialists in such a fellowship carries positive implications for older adults and employees themselves.
Access to Comprehensive Care
A Policy-Making Objective
Regarding a specific issue to address through participation in the fellowship program under consideration, I would choose the topic of expanding gerontology patients’ access to comprehensive care. Many citizens of the older age group are not able to receive appropriate medical support due to different conventions, for instance, insurance nuances, reduced mobility, and other barriers. I would promote the involvement of qualified specialists in working with these people and the provision of voluntary care to this category of patients. In addition to improving overall health indicators, this measure could be an example for employees in other healthcare sectors and contribute to developing the idea of selfless help to those in need.
Conclusion
Ensuring the normal living conditions of older adults and helping to meet their daily needs are the positive prospects that participation in the presented gerontology program bears. The involvement of qualified specialists and addressing the urgent problems that the audience in question faces may contribute to improving the health indicators of the population. The provision of comprehensive care and assistance in accessing professional services of medical specialists are the objectives that this program can allow implementation.
References
Developing a cadre of leaders focused on changing policy to improve the lives of older Americans. (n.d.). Health and Aging Policy Fellows. Web.