400238: Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Provision - Nursing Assessment Answers

Assessment 1:Five (5) Short Answer Questions

Aim and purpose of Assessment The aim of this assessment task is to respond to a self-selected group of topics that are based on the Modules (1 & 2) and the associated readings. This assessment task will enable the student to test their knowledge and understanding of concepts such as sociology of health, social health determinates and policy development based on their readings of the modules (1 & 2) and the associated literature. The purpose of this assessment task is to facilitate the written development of your skills and expertise in all of the following learning objectives:

1. Recognise and critique social ideologies and theories which shape public spending on health and aged care and health policy development;
2. Develop and utilise insight into the relationships between politics and power in the construction of health and aged care policy;
3. Explore the concept that interest groups exert power and influence in the area of health and aged care policy formulation;
4. Examine significant historical, structural and environmental factors which affect health and aged care policy development and translation.
5. Consider the global evolution of health and aged care policies and the organisational patterns of health and aged care services, with respect to the World Health Organisation’s commitment to Primary Health Care;

Assessment 2:Policy Analysis and Critique

Aim of Assessment

The purpose of this assessment task is to facilitate the development of your skills and expertise in all of the following learning objectives:

1. Recognise and critique social ideologies and theories which shape public spending on health andaged care policy development;
2. Develop and utilise insight into the relationships between politics and power in the constructionof health and aged care policy;
3. Explore the concept that interest groups exert power and influence in the area of health andaged care policy formulation;
4. Examine significant historical, structural and environmental factors which affect health and aged care policy development and translation;
5. Consider the global evolution of health and aged care policies and the organisational patterns ofhealth and aged care services, with respect to the World Health Organisation’s commitment to Primary Health Care;
6. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical and legal dilemmas and constraints involved in formulatingand enacting health and aged care policies;
7. Examine the impact that social, health and aged care policies have on disadvantaged groups insociety;
8. Undertake a critique of workplace practices that are bound by policy.

Question 1

The policy cycle is the most appropriate tool for policy development owing to several reasons. First, the policy cycle is normative in nature. In other words, it allows for disaggregation of complex phenomenon into simple and manageable steps (Grutters et al, 2015). The cycle also serves as a guide with a particular sequence that can be used by practitioners to comprehend and implement the policy task at hand. Second, the policy cycle is a first foray into complexity. The cycle enables organising complex observations into familiar patterns and clearly prompts for action that needs to be taken (Kuhlmann et al, 2015).

In accordance with the aim and objective laid out in The Australian Policy Handbook, the policy cycle provides an answer to one of the most daunting questions (what do I do now) that might be faced by a policymaker (Ettelt et al, 2013). Research into policy making guides also indicate that the policy cycle helps policy makers in pin pointing the main issue out of a plethora of problems that might be present (Mason et al, 2013). Once a set of goals which need to be achieved have been laid down, the cycle helps in evaluating a set of policies which would be able to achieve these objectives (Denis & van Gestel, 2015). The policy cycle further allows policy makers to interact with public and sought their opinion on the matter. The cycle further provides room for development of an appropriate instrument, implementation and evaluation of the policy that has been developed (Datta & Mullainathan, 2014).

Evaluation has often been rated as the most important aspect of the policy cycle and further serves to make it an appropriate tool for policy development. Evaluation allows policy makers to gauge the actual impact of the policy, compare it with goals and objectives that had been laid out initially and then identify room for improvement that might exist (Greenfield et al, 2012).

Question 3

The difference between new and old public health approach does not lie in the adoption of new strategies and or measures so as to ensure healthy conditions. Rather, the difference lies in the manner in which core doctrines of previous era have been adopted and applied to health promotion initiatives of the new era (Taipale, 2016). Research studies are indicative of the fact that old or existing public health eras tend to become obsolete owing to health knowledge advances and changing health patterns (Grutters et al, 2015). This is the core reason why new eras come into existence. Currently, public health theorists appear to be of the opinion that the old approach to public health does not effectively address contemporary health issues such as terrorism and health inequalities thereby paving the way for new public health approach (Gauld et al, 2014).

In the new approach to healthcare, prevention, protection and education regarding health strategies have come a long way as compared to the old approach. Communication and education has been streamlined and the need for including all has been realised (Mason et al, 2013).

Question 5

Power in context of policy development and change might refer to various things. Primarily, power might be understood in terms of control over material resources and negotiations that form a part of formal process of policy development (Audi, 2014). In this context, power is closely related with authority figures who lead negotiation, institutions, procedures, structures and rules and regulations (Kuhlmann et al, 2015). It is possible that a specified set of regulations always need to be complied with while trying a policy that is in place or while trying to develop a new policy to solve an existing problem. While trying to develop a new healthcare policy for example, it might be necessary to adhere to a specific set of state laws, guidelines and procedures (Ettelt et al, 2013).

Alternately, power might also be understood as dominant values which in turn are responsible for shaping individual identities and preferences. A few dominant values might be clearly identified as a part of every culture and society (Denis & van Gestel, 2015). These values heavily influence the manner in which individual personalities are shaped and actions and interactions are carried out. Research indicates that such values are so deeply rooted in culture that they have a ‘power’ to influence policy development and change (Datta & Mullainathan, 2014).

Finally, power in context of policy development and change might also be realised in terms of social relations (Gauld et al, 2014). In other words, the manner in which people relate to one another and experience social relations has the power to influence policy development and change. Power holders might be socially inclined to benefit a particular group of individuals and this would influence overall focus of a policy (Greenfield et al, 2012).

In summary, it might be stated that ‘power’ in context of policy development and change influences the overall manner in which a policy might be shaped and implemented.

Question 6

Several community programs and nation-wide initiatives have been designed and implemented till date so as to produce better health results. Major considerations in these programs and initiatives however involve controlling food intake habits and introducing the element of physical workout (Grutters et al, 2015). Research indicates that the rate of success of these initiatives is limited and they are often not able to achieve their target goals. Therefore, it is necessary that policy considerations are laid out at a national level before implementation (Mason et al, 2013).

First important policy consideration at a national level would be to control sale conditions. Educating children and teen agers about food intake and watching calories would only provide partial results until junk food is cheaply available (Ettelt et al, 2013). Thus, a national level policy should consider and limit what schools and universities can offer their students. Another important national level policy consideration would be to subsidise healthier foods. It might be noticed that fruits, vegetables and healthier food alternatives are much more expensive as compared to foods like sugar and corn syrup (Datta & Mullainathan, 2014). This encourages individuals to purchase foods that have a higher fat content. Important policy considerations might also include banning or restricting certain food ingredients (such as Trans fats). Restricting Trans fats from entering the market would automatically have a positive impact on individual health (Greenfield et al, 2012). Finally, advertising efforts undertaken by firms might be scrutinised so as to produce national health benefits (Murphy & MacKenzie, 2013). National policy might be aimed at restricting advertising of foods that are low in nutrition and have a high fat content. This might include junk foods, sodas and finger foods. Alternately, advertising of healthier food alternatives might be increased so as to encourage their production and consumption (Wright et al, 2013).

These policy considerations if transformed into a policy and implemented on a national level might be successful in producing nation-wide health benefits.

Question 7

Several important factors might be considered while trying to develop and implement a smoke-free policy for a university. First and foremost, it would be important to consider the nature of policy that needs to be developed (Ettelt et al, 2013). It would be important to decide areas that the policy would cover and possible loopholes that might exist. For example, the new policy might not remain restricted to use of cigarettes and tobacco products but also include the use of e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devises (Gauld et al, 2014). The new policy might also restrict smoking activities in indoor as well as outdoor spaces including but not limited to university parking lots (Denis & van Gestel, 2015).

Another important factor to consider would consist of keeping a watch on advertising efforts regarding tobacco and nicotine products within the university campus. It would be important that all advertising efforts within the university campus are blocked (except for those in magazines and in newspapers) (Kuhlmann et al, 2015).

It would also be extremely important to consider the manner in which the policy would finally be implemented in the university campus (Datta & Mullainathan, 2014). It is essential that enforcement is well planned out and educational in nature. In this context, it would be important to note if there are any existing educational measures active in the university. It would also be essential to take a note of state laws and policies that might be applicable to the university and then device the policy accordingly (Murphy & MacKenzie, 2013).

Finally, it would be essential to consider the applicability of policy. It is essential that the policy is not designed explicitly for students but is also applicable to staff members, academic appointees, volunteers and family members of students, contractors and everyone who might enter university premises (Denis & van Gestel, 2015).

With these considerations in mind, it might be ensured that the new policy is well rounded, fair and effective.