Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis
Health programs help improve engagement and empower people to adopt quality behaviors to enhance individual and communal welfare. It targets behaviors that reduce wellness, but which can be modified through education and mentorships. Health programs reduce disease incidence, and therefore, healthcare costs. Sexual and reproductive health continues to draw the attention of medical practitioners because of the negative effects they introduce across populations. The purpose of this health program is to educate and empower young and older adults into making quality decisions that will promote their sexual and reproductive health Assessing a Healthcare Program Essay.
| Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation |
Planned Parenthood |
| Description | Planned Parenthood program intends to educate young and old people men and women on sexual and reproductive health. Topics that will be handled in the program are family planning, contraception, abstinence, sexual orientation, safe sex, family life, parent-child communication, sexuality, teenage pregnancy, and women’s health education (Primrose, 2012). |
| How was the success of the program or policy measured? | The program’s success was measured using the following indicators
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| How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?
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The program reached 125,000 people living within and outside the country. This program’s impacts include engagement in responsible sexual behaviors, reduced premarital sex, reduced cases of teen pregnancies and STIs, improved communication between families, improved women’s health, and better familial relationships.
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| What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?
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The program team used the following data to evaluate the program’s success: the number of people educated on sexual and reproductive health, percentage of teens engaging in risky sexual behaviors, the number of teen pregnancies, number of couples who benefited from the family programs, women who accessed contraception and other health services, and participant attitudes towards the experts and quality of services offered. Data on the program’s sustainability (in terms of costs) and effectiveness of the outcomes was also used in the evaluations. |
| What specific information on unintended consequences were identified?
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Implementing the program might have increased the percentage of people seeking abortion services.
Cases of individuals using emergency contraceptives (morning-after pills) increased as more people tried to reduce the chances of getting pregnant after having unprotected sex |
| What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.
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The stakeholders in the program are the patients, medical service providers (doctors and nurses), youth leaders, public health experts, and local advocates (Harris, 2016). Members of the community are the program’s biggest beneficiaries since it was introduced and designed purposefully to cater to their needs (Harris, 2016).
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| Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not? | The program met its objectives. However, it can still be modified to yield better results in the future. It was able to improve the health status of vulnerable communities and young people. The number of people who received an education, and therefore, became more conversant with sexual and reproductive health increased. More people could access information on family planning, comprehensive sexuality education, child protection education, HIV/AIDS and other STIs, safe and unsafe abortion, and stigma reduction.
Young people were empowered to make quality decisions regarding their sexual health. The abstinence and comprehensive sexual education programs yielded desirable outcomes. These were evidenced with the following results.
The adults who participated in the program enrolled in multiple educational services. The number of women who accessed contraceptives changed. Most married couples enrolled in family programs. A good percentage reported having better conversations with their loved ones leading to improved sexual health and other forms of relationships. The program implementers built networks of technical experts who delivered the services promised to stakeholders. The program implementers partnered with other community-based organizations to make the services affordable and accessible to everyone irrespective of their backgrounds. The program implementers hired professionals with high levels of knowledge, expertise, and good personal skills to formulate quality interpersonal relationships. These people delivered the services genuinely, honestly, and with excellent efficiency. They were also committed to the provision of quality services. |
| Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not? | I would recommend the program in my workplace because the facility handles clients with diverse needs. The program will help young people who want to learn about their sexual health. It is also valuable for pregnant women and women in general. Families experiencing relationship challenges can also benefit from the program’s educational content.
The organization can introduce the program as part of its diversification plan. More people accessing these healthcare services leads to improved community wellbeing. |
| Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after one year of implementation. | Nurse advocates can champion for better services and solve persistent problems by testifying issues they observed during the program implementation process, but which limited the program’s success. These testimonies will help decision-makers make sense of the statistics and other outcomes and emphasize critical areas that need to be empowered.
Nurse advocates can also provide recommendations on how the program should be improved (Lewinski & Simmons, 2018). For example, their contributions will help the implementation team allocate existing resources to encourage better decisions and help resolve the current problems. |
| General Notes/Comments | The planned parenthood program was successful because of good planning and adoption of effective management strategies. |
Conclusion
The program was able to achieve its purpose since it empowered the target population to make better decisions. More people became conversant with sexual and reproductive health. Improved choices led to behaviors that enhanced the health status of those who participated in the program. Some of the program’s benefits include reduced risk-taking behaviors and teen pregnancies, the increased value of abstinence, and a higher number of people receiving appropriate treatment. Those who enrolled in family programs reported positive outcomes too. The program’s improvement will lead to better results in the future.
References
Lewinski, A. A., & Simmons, L. A. (2018). Nurse knowledge and engagement in health policy making: Findings from a pilot study. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 49(9), 407-415.
Primrose, S. (2012). The attack on planned parenthood: A historical analysis. UCLA Women’s LJ, 19, 165.
Harris, M. J. (2016). Evaluating public and community health programs. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Assessing a Healthcare Program Essay.
Assignment: Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation
Program/policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.
Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.
To Prepare:
- Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources.
- Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.
- Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described Assessing a Healthcare Program Essay.
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The Assignment: (2–3 pages)
Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:
- Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.
- How was the success of the program or policy measured?
- How many people were reached by the program or policy selected?
- How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?
- At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?
- What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?
- What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?
- What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.
- Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?
- Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?
- Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation Assessing a Healthcare Program Essay.
| Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program/Policy Evaluation
Based on the program or policy evaluation you seelcted, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following: · Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes. |
32 (32%) – 35 (35%)
Response clearly and accurately describes in detail the healthcare program or policy outcomes. Response accurately and thoroughly explains in detail how the success of the program or policy was measured. Response clearly and accurately describes in detail how many people were reached by the program or policy and fully describes the impact of the program or policy. Response clearly and accurately indicates the point at which time the program or policy evaluation was conducted. |
28 (28%) – 31 (31%)
Response accurately describes the healthcare program or policy outcomes. Response accurately explains how the success of the program or policy was measured. Response accurately describes how many people were reached by the program or policy and accurately describes the impact of the program or policy. Response accurately indicates the point at which time the program or policy evaluation was conducted. |
25 (25%) – 27 (27%)
Description of the healthcare program or policy outcomes is inaccurate or incomplete. Explanation of how the success of the program or policy was measured is inaccurate or incomplete. Description of how many people were reached by the program or policy and the impact is vague or inaccurate. Response vaguely describes the point at which the program or policy evaluation was conducted. |
0 (0%) – 24 (24%)
Description of the healthcare program or policy outcomes is inaccurate and incomplete, or is missing. Explanation of how the success of the program or policy was measured is inaccurate and incomplete, or is missing. Description of how many people were reached by the program or policy and the associated impacts is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. Response of the point at which time the program or policy was conducted is missing. |
| Reporting of Program/Policy Evaluations
· What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation? |
45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Response clearly and accurately identifies the data used to conduct the program or policy evaluation Assessing a Healthcare Program Essay. Response clearly and thoroughly explains in detail specific information on outcomes and unintended consequences identified through the program or policy evaluation. Response clearly and accurately explains in detail the stakeholders involved in the program or policy evaluation. Response clearly and accurately explains in detail who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation. Response includes a thorough and accurate explanation of whether the program met the original intent and outcomes, including an accurate and detailed explanation of the reasons supporting why or why not. Response includes a thorough and accurate explanation of whether the program should be implemented, including an accurate and detailed explanation of the reasons supporting why or why not. |
40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Response accurately identifies the data used to conduct the program or policy evaluation. Response explains in detail specific information on outcomes and unintended consequences identified through the program or policy evaluation. Response explains in detail the stakeholders involved in the program or policy evaluation. Response explains who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation. Response includes an accurate explanation of whether the program met the original intent and outcomes, including an accurate explanation of the reasons supporting why or why not. Response includes an accurate explanation of whether the program should be implemented, including an accurate explanation of the reasons supporting why or why not. |
35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the data used to conduct the program or policy evaluation. Explanation of specific information on outcomes and unintended consequences identified through the program or policy evaluation is vague or incomplete. Explanation of the stakeholders involved in the program or policy evaluation is vague or inaccurate. Explanation of who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation is vague or inaccurate. Explanation of whether the program/policy met the original intent and outcomes and the reasons why or why not is incomplete or inaccurate. Explanation of whether the program or policy should be implemented, and the reasons why or why not, is incomplete or inaccurate. |
0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Identification of the data used to conduct the program or policy evaluation is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. Explanation of specific information on outcomes and unitended consequences identified through the program or policy evaluation is vague and incomplete, or is missing. Explanation of the stakeholders involved in the program or policy evaluation is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. Explanation of who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. Explanation of whether the program or policy met the original intent and outcomes and the reasons why or why not is incomplete and inaccurate, or is missing. Explanation of whether the program or policy should be implemented, and the reasons why or why not, is incomplete and inaccurate, or is missing. |
| Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:
Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria. |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria. |
4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive Assessing a Healthcare Program Essay. |
3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic. |
0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided. |
| Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:
Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.
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4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
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3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
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0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
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| Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list. |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Uses correct APA format with no errors.
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4 (4%) – 4 (4%)
Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.
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3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)
Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.
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0 (0%) – 3 (3%)
Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
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| Total Points: 100 |
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