Healthcare Policy Models and Frameworks, Essay Example

Healthcare professionals discuss a variety of healthcare policy models and frameworks that have the potential to both positively and negatively impact the nursing practice environment. On a broad level, a policy model that plays a major role in the regulation of healthcare is the implementation of budget allocation presented by the Congressional Budget Office (Ringel et al., 2010). Based on this, it is important to consider that diverse political needs and drives interact to determine the level of funding available for public healthcare institutions in addition to the funding available for biomedical research. Decisions to cut funding can drastically change the nursing practice environment because individuals that work in failing hospitals will become more greatly concerned about their job security and will be frequently asked to work longer shifts to compensate for a hiring freeze. On the other hand, decisions to add funding to healthcare can positively contribute to the nurse’s experience because healthcare professionals will be better able to provide care to their patients in a meaningful way.

A more specific of policy barriers and aids can be understood based on a discussion of Health Insurance Policy Simulation Model (HIPSM) methodology (Buettgens, 2011). To gain a more critical understanding of policy, computer simulations could be created to forecast trends and changing needs. While these models do not have a direct impact on the practice environment, the results that such analyses generate help practitioners guide practice in a more well-informed manner. Since policy variables are constantly changing, it is important for professionals to anticipate these changes so their ability to provide care will not alter when these policies are officially implemented. Doing so will ensure that health care institutions remain stable in light of change.

References

Buettgens M. (2011). Health Insurance Policy Simulation Model (HIPSM) Methodology. Retrieved from http://www.urban.org/research/publication/health-insurance-policy-simulation-model-hipsm-methodology-documentation/view/full_report

Ringel JS, Eibner C, Girosi F, Cordova A, McGlynn EA. (2010). Modeling Health Care Policy Alternatives. Health Serv Res., 45(5): 1541–1558.