In your healthcare career, you will be confronted with many problems that demand a solution. By using research skills, you can learn what others are doing and saying about similar problems. Then, you can analyze the problem and the people and systems it affects. You can also examine potential solutions and their ramifications. This assessment allows you to practice this approach with the real-world problem you've selected.
Analyze the same current healthcare problem or issue topic area you selected for Assessments 2 and 3. To explore the chosen topic, use the first four topics of the Socratic Problem-Solving Approach for critical thinking.
Start by defining the healthcare problem or issue based on the selected healthcare topic.
Provide details about the problems or issues that are part of the chosen topic, and identify causes for the problems or issues.
Identify at least three scholarly or academic peer-reviewed journal articles about the topic you are discussing by using articles you found for Assessment 2 or by searching the Capella library using the BSN Program Library Research Guide.
Write Your Assessment
Use scholarly information to explain a healthcare problem or issue related to your selected topic.
Cite credible, relevant sources to validate and reinforce the information used to explain the healthcare topic.
Analyze the problem or issue.
Describe the setting or context for the problem or issue.
Describe the reasons that make the problem or issue important to you.
Identify groups of people affected by the problem or issue.
Compare and contrast potential solutions for the problem or issue.
Describe potential solutions.
Compare and contrast your opinion with other opinions you find in sources from the Capella library.
Provide the pros and cons for one of the solutions you are proposing.
Explain how the ethical principles (beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice) apply if your potential solution were implemented.
Describe what would be necessary to implement the proposed solution.
Explain what ethical principles need to be considered (beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice) and how they apply if your potential solution were implemented. How would bias need to be considered?
Provide examples from the literature to support the points you are making.
Explain how the solution you present will benefit or help to improve your selected topic as it relates to at least one of the Four Spheres of Care:
Wellness, Disease Prevention.
Chronic Disease Management.
Regenerative/Restorative Care.
Hospice and Palliative Care.
Organize your assessment using the following structure and headings:
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), nearly half of American adults have difficulty understanding and acting on health information. The causes are multifaceted, including low educational attainment, cultural and linguistic barriers, and the use of complex medical jargon by healthcare providers.
Analyzing the Problem
The problem of low health literacy is pervasive across all healthcare settings, from primary care clinics to inpatient hospital units. It is particularly prevalent in communities with high rates of poverty, among minority populations, and in older adults. For me, this problem is deeply personal. I have witnessed firsthand how difficult it is for family members to understand a new diagnosis, treatment plan, or medication regimen, even with a healthcare professional's best efforts. It is disheartening to see how this knowledge gap can lead to fear, confusion, and poor health outcomes.
The groups of people most affected by this issue are the patients themselves, their families, and the healthcare providers who care for them. Patients with low health literacy are more likely to have higher rates of hospitalization and emergency room visits. Their families bear the burden of trying to fill the knowledge gap, which can be emotionally and financially draining. Healthcare providers, in turn, face challenges with patient non-compliance and communication breakdowns, which can lead to professional frustration and burnout.
Potential Solutions
One potential solution to the problem of low health literacy is the implementation of a universal health literacy screening program within all healthcare settings. This would involve a brief, standardized assessment administered to every patient upon their initial visit. The results would be documented in the patient's electronic health record (EHR), alerting providers to the need for simplified communication strategies.
Comparison with Other Solutions: Other proposed solutions include creating more patient-friendly educational materials, using teach-back methods, and relying on translators. While these are all valuable, a universal screening program offers a systematic approach that proactive identifies at-risk individuals, rather than reacting to signs of confusion after they appear. Some sources in the literature argue that universal screening is not cost-effective and may stigmatize patients. My opinion, however, is that the long-term cost savings from reduced readmissions and better disease management far outweigh the initial implementation costs. The potential for stigma can be mitigated by framing the screening as a standard practice for all patients, not just a select few.
Sample Answer
Defining the Problem or Issue
The current healthcare problem is the lack of health literacy among adult patients in the United States, which contributes to poor health outcomes and increased healthcare costs. Health literacy is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a person's ability to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. This is a significant issue because patients with low health literacy often struggle to understand medication instructions, interpret lab results, and navigate complex healthcare systems. This leads to medication errors, avoidable hospital readmissions, and a general inability to manage chronic conditions effectively.