Becoming a full partner in service development and policy formulation processes can ensure that the right representatives are present in the office. This role requires healthcare providers to become facilitators of service improvements and reform (Higgins et al., 2018). I would take responsibility for identifying problems facing their facilities and industry at large and making evidence-based recommendations for addressing those issues. I may also become an advocator for strong leadership and effective policy and patient care. Nurses and physicians can leverage their professional authority to fight for changes affecting their practice (Brom et al., 2018). Buerhaus et al. (2017) opine that healthcare providers need to perceive policy and reform as areas they can shape and develop rather than mere implementers. Proverbs 21:3 states: “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” Therefore, full partnership and strong advocacy for change can translate more broadly to health policy at all governance levels.
There are several ways I can make sure that my opinions are heard. The most effective strategies include speaking the health policy’s language, engaging in the political process effectively, and working closely with other providers and stakeholders (Hall & Roussel, 2017). Professional practice councils, state boards (such as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing), and other professional associations (Such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners) provide an excellent opportunity to make sure that my opinions are heard (Brom et al., 2018). I can leverage these avenues to influence care delivery and reform by proactively identifying issues and improving care and leadership opportunities. I can also take advantage of these media to introduce new ideas to reform leadership and care delivery. Besides, I can also participate in surveys and focus groups discussing challenges healthcare providers encounter in practice and what they need to deliver higher quality care and advance their careers.
Response to Nathan
The right to voice our opinions to our healthcare facilities really caught my attention. Despite facing neglect in policy and decision-making processes, healthcare practitioners are key players in leading changes and reforms within their organizations, their profession, and the industry (Anderson et al., 2016). Exercising our right to voice our opinions to our healthcare facilities and relevant agencies at the local, state, and national levels can ensure that the right representatives are present in the office.
I also agree with your idea of leveraging the media to articulate our issues. Digital and social media provide powerful tools and avenues for engaging healthcare administrators and policymakers to make sure that the right representatives are present in the office. The various media channels, especially social media, present numerous benefits such as wider coverage, real-time communication, and active engagement (Bennett et al., 2018). These features make these new interactive media powerful tools for advocacy, civic engagement, and social activism.
Response to Wendy
I found your idea about the importance of representation insightful because it is integral to effective care delivery and policy formulation. I was intrigued by the idea that health policies should help in building consensus among the various parties involved in a community or health system. Indeed, fostering the involvement and participation of all relevant stakeholders, including nurses, doctors, hospital administrators, government agencies, patients and their families, and the public at large can help formulate sound policies. Furthermore, this approach can foster accountability especially among those representatives in government offices who make healthcare policy.
I also agree with your argument about the role of strong leadership and partnership in influencing policies and policy changes. Any health care system brings together nurses, physicians, regulators, patients and their families, and other parties. These participants play increasingly interdependent roles because they encounter challenges that require them to work closely with others as full partners (Hall & Roussel, 2017). Therefore, their cooperation and collaboration can ensure that our opinions are heard.
References
Anderson, J., Bruce, B., Edwards, M., & Podham, M. (2016). Engaging rural nurses in the policy development process. Contemporary Nurse, 52(6), 677-685.
Bennett, W. L., Segerberg, A., & Yang, Y. (2018). The strength of peripheral networks: Negotiating attention and meaning in complex media ecologies. Journal of Communication, 68(4), 659-684.
Brom, H. M., Salsberry, P. J., & Graham, M. C. (2018). Leveraging health care reform to accelerate nurse practitioner full practice authority. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 30(3), 120.
Buerhaus, P. I., Skinner, L. E., Auerbach, D. I., & Staiger, D. O. (2017). Four challenges facing the nursing workforce in the United States. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 8(2), 40-46.
Hall, H. R., & Roussel, L. A. (Eds.). (2017). Evidence-based practice: An integrative approach to research, administration, and practice (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Higgins, A., Downes, C., Varley, J., Doherty, C. P., Begley, C., & Elliott, N. (2018). Rising to the challenge: Epilepsy specialist nurses as leaders of service improvements and change (SENsE study). Seizure, 63, 40-47.