NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 Population Health Policy Advocacy

Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 6026 Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 2

Prof. Name

Date

Letter to the Editor

Abstract

The assessment highlights significant challenges in pediatric asthma care in Maplewood, including high rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits despite efforts to improve outcomes. Identified knowledge gaps emphasize the need for comprehensive research on long-term intervention effectiveness and barriers to care access. The proposed health policy advocates for a holistic approach integrating patient education, adherence to guidelines, and improved access to care, focusing on interprofessional collaboration across diverse care settings. This comprehensive strategy aims to enhance asthma management, reduce healthcare utilization, and improve health outcomes for children in Maplewood.

Keywords

Pediatric asthma, health policy, interprofessional collaboration, comprehensive approach.

Evaluation of the Current State of Asthma Care and Identification of Knowledge Gaps

The current state of pediatric asthma care in Maplewood reveals significant challenges, with nearly 10% of children affected and frequent emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Despite efforts, outcomes remain suboptimal, with asthma exacerbations causing ED visits and hospital admissions nationally each year (Hasegawa et al., 2020). Locally, school absenteeism due to asthma impacts academic performance and well-being. This highlights the urgent need for better asthma management in Maplewood. Substantial improvement in asthma care and outcomes is needed. High rates of ED visits and hospitalizations indicate insufficient management strategies. Persistent school absenteeism has broader impacts on children’s daily lives. Enhancing patient and caregiver education, adhering to evidence-based guidelines, and improving access to care are essential to address these deficiencies (Ali et al., 2022).

Current performance in Maplewood needs to meet national benchmarks like those from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), which emphasize personalized asthma action plans, stepwise therapy, and patient education. High local rates of ED visits and hospitalizations suggest these guidelines still need to be fully implemented. This indicates a need for a more comprehensive, integrated approach to asthma management (Rosenberg, 2023). The adverse impacts on the pediatric population are profound. Frequent exacerbations lead to increased healthcare use, disrupt daily lives, and result in school absenteeism and lower academic performance. The burden on families is significant, and poor asthma control can lead to long-term health issues (Nayak et al., 2022).

Several knowledge gaps and uncertainties must be addressed. Limited data exists on the long-term consequences of inclusive asthma interventions in residential settings like Maplewood. More research is required to evaluate the efficiency of school-based programs and environmental modifications in resource-constrained settings (Pijnenburg et al., 2024). Detailed data on medication adherence and barriers to specialized care are also needed to target interventions effectively.

Analysis of the Necessity for Health Policy Development

The current state of pediatric asthma care in Maplewood shows significant gaps that need policy development and advocacy. Despite efforts, outcomes remain suboptimal, with high national hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach to improving care quality and outcomes. Policy development and advocacy are crucial to address these issues. Current care strategies do not align with National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) benchmarks, revealing gaps in access to specialty care and medication adherence (Rehman et al., 2020).

A health policy integrating patient and caregiver education, NAEPP guidelines adherence, and improved access to care can mitigate these gaps, enhancing asthma control and reducing healthcare utilization. Advocacy is essential to mobilize support and resources, addressing challenges like resource allocation, guideline adherence, and community engagement. Effective advocacy can highlight deficiencies and engage stakeholders, ensuring policy feasibility and sustainability. Advocacy can also drive comprehensive asthma management programs, like the “Healthy Homes” initiative, addressing medical and environmental determinants (Everhart et al., 2020).

Further information is needed to address areas of ambiguity and uncertainty. Detailed data on long-term outcomes of comprehensive asthma interventions in suburban settings like Maplewood are limited. Research is required to evaluate school-based programs and environmental modifications in resource-constrained settings. Understanding barriers to medication adherence and access to specialized care can inform targeted interventions, such as telehealth consultations’ effectiveness in addressing transportation barriers (Nanda et al., 2023). To improve pediatric asthma care in Maplewood, a complete health policy emphasizing education, adherence to guidelines, and improved access to care by interprofessional collaboration is crucial. Advocacy for resources and research to address knowledge gaps is essential.

Justification for the Developed Policy in Enhancing Asthma

The proposed policy for pediatric asthma management in Maplewood is crucial for improving care and outcomes. The policy’s comprehensive approach, including patient and caregiver education, adherence to NAEPP guidelines, and enhanced access to care, aims to improve asthma control and reduce healthcare utilization. The policy will drive improvements by standardizing care, promoting medication adherence, and ensuring consistent education for patients and caregivers. Evidence shows that modified asthma action plans, education programs and regular follow-up visits significantly improve asthma consequences (Hei et al., 2021). By implementing these best practices, the policy empowers families to manage asthma at home, recognize early exacerbation signs, and access timely care. Programs like the CDC’s “Asthma Control Program” have proven effective in reducing asthma triggers and improving inhaler techniques, which are essential policy components (Rehman et al., 2020).

Additionally, the policy enhances access to care through expanded asthma services at community health centres and telehealth consultations, addressing barriers such as transportation (Nanda et al., 2023). This ensures timely and appropriate care, reducing ED visits and hospitalizations. Environmental interventions like the “Healthy Homes” program and school-based asthma management initiatives further support this goal by addressing medical and environmental asthma determinants (Everhart et al., 2020). Critics might argue that intensive education programs have limited long-term impact or that prioritizing medical management over environmental interventions is more cost-effective in resource-limited settings.

However, asthma management requires a comprehensive approach that addresses all factors. The policy’s integration of medical, educational, and environmental strategies ensures a holistic approach to care, supported by evidence showing that collaborative, interprofessional interventions reduce asthma exacerbations, ED visits, and hospitalizations (Dailah, 2021). The proposed policy will enhance pediatric asthma care in Maplewood by integrating education, guideline adherence, and improved access, thereby improving health outcomes and academic success for affected children

Advocacy for Policy Implementation in Diverse Care Settings

Advocating for development of policy in care settings away from the primary proposal for pediatric asthma management in Maplewood is crucial due to asthma’s widespread impact on children. Expanding policies to schools, daycare centres, and healthcare systems ensures a comprehensive approach to managing asthma, addressing all aspects of a child’s life. Implementing asthma management programs in schools and daycare centres is vital as children spend significant time in these environments. These settings can provide immediate intervention, education, and medication access, reducing asthma attack risks during school hours (Rehman et al., 2020). School-based programs can teach about asthma triggers and emergency responses, fostering a supportive environment.

Broader policy development in healthcare settings ensures consistent adherence to evidence-based guidelines, such as those from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP), leading to better-managed asthma cases and fewer emergency visits (Kapri, 2021). Standardized care protocols improve coordination and effectiveness, enhancing outcomes for pediatric asthma patients. The ultimate goal is an integrated approach to asthma management across various settings, ensuring continuous and consistent care, improving quality of life, and reducing healthcare burdens (Martin et al., 2022). Challenges such as funding, stakeholder buy-in, and logistical barriers must be addressed through collaboration, advocacy, and policy adaptation. Policy development in various care settings is vital for comprehensive pediatric asthma management. It ensures better health outcomes and reduced healthcare utilization. Despite challenges, the benefits of consistent and integrated asthma management policies are significant.

Interprofessional Aspects of a Developed Policy

The policy’s interprofessional aspects involve pediatricians, asthma specialists, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, educators, and social workers (Rehman et al., 2020). Pediatricians and specialists focus on clinical care and treatment plans, while nurses and respiratory therapists educate and monitor patients. Pharmacists ensure proper medication management, and educators and social workers address psychosocial factors (Jaladanki et al., 2021). This collaboration optimizes care delivery, reduces task duplication, and ensures a comprehensive understanding of each patient’s needs. Interprofessional collaboration increases efficiency by utilizing each professional’s strengths, leading to a coordinated care approach (Kapri, 2021).

Nurses and therapists handle patient education and monitoring, freeing pediatricians for clinical assessments. Pharmacists’ medication management ensures adherence, improving therapeutic outcomes. This approach also enhances effectiveness by addressing medical, environmental, and social factors, leading to better interventions and outcomes (Martin et al., 2022). However, uncertainties exist regarding such collaboration’s long-term impact and scalability in suburban areas like Maplewood. Further research is needed to evaluate these aspects, ensuring informed decisions and sustained improvements in pediatric asthma management (Nanda et al., 2023). Overall, the interprofessional approach ensures efficient, comprehensive care, which is essential for improving outcomes in Maplewood’s pediatric asthma population.

Conclusion

The assessment underscores the pressing need for improved pediatric asthma care in Maplewood, citing high rates of emergency visits and hospitalizations despite current efforts. Knowledge gaps highlight the necessity for research on intervention effectiveness and access barriers. The proposed health policy advocates for a holistic approach, integrating patient education, guideline adherence, and improved access to care through interprofessional collaboration. This comprehensive strategy aims to enhance asthma management, reduce healthcare utilization, and improve long-term health outcomes for affected children in Maplewood.

References

Hasegawa K, Craig SS, Teach SJ, Camargo CA. Management of asthma exacerbations in the emergency department. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2020;9(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2020.12.037

Ali AM, Gaglioti AH, Stone RH, Crawford ND, Dobbin KK, Guglani L, Young HN. Access and utilization of asthma medications among patients who receive care in federally qualified health centers. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health. 2022;13:215013192211012. https://doi.org/10.1177/21501319221101202

Rosenberg D. Approaches to management of asthma: Guidelines for stepped care and self-monitoring. advances in experimental medicine and biology. 2023:355–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32259-4_15

Nayak SS, Borkar R, Ghozy S, Agyeman K, Juboori MTA, Shah J, Ulrich MT. Social vulnerability, medical care access and asthma related emergency department visits and hospitalization: An observational study. Heart & Lung. 2022;55:140–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2022.04.017

Pijnenburg MW, Rubak S, Skjerven HO, Verhulst S, Elenius V, Hugen C, Jauhola O, Kempeneers C, Melén E, Nilsen TR, Rutjes NW, Ruotsalainen M, Schaballie H, Zwitserloot AM, Proesmans M, Mäkelä MJ. Optimizing care for children with difficult-to-treat and severe asthma through specialist paediatric asthma centres: Expert practical experience and advice. BMC Pediatrics. 2024;24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-04707-0

Rehman N, Almeida MM, Wu AC. Asthma Across Childhood: Improving Adherence to Asthma Management from Early Childhood to Adolescence. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2020;8(6):1802-1807.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2020.02.011

Everhart RS, Mazzeo SE, Corona R, Holder RL, Thacker LR, Schechter MS. A community-based asthma program: Study design and methods of RVA Breathes. Contemporary Clinical Trials. 2020;97:106121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2020.106121

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 Population Health Policy Advocacy

Nanda A, Siles R, Park H, Louisias M, Ariue B, Castillo M, Anand MP, Nguyen AP, Jean T, Lopez M, Altisheh R, Pappalardo AA. Ensuring equitable access to guideline-based asthma care across the lifespan: Tips and future directions to the successful implementation of the new NAEPP 2020 guidelines, a work group report of the AAAAI asthma, cough, diagnosis, and treatment committee. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2023;151(4):869–880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2023.01.017

Hei SJ van de, Dierick BJH, Aarts JEP, Kocks JWH, Boven JFM van. Personalized medication adherence management in asthma and COPD: A review of effective interventions and development of a practical adherence toolkit. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2021;9(11). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2021.05.025

Dailah, H. G. Investigating the outcomes of an asthma educational program and useful influence in public policy. Front Public Health. 2021;9:736203. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.736203

Kapri SP. Providers’ adherence to evidence-based asthma guidelines in pediatric primary care. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 2021;57:18–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedn.2020.09.020

Martin LJ, Hill V, Maples C, Baker T, Elshaer S, Kovacic MB. Shared purpose: Leveraging a community-academic partnership to increase local environmental health awareness via community science. Journal of Participatory Research Methods. 2022;3(3). https://doi.org/10.35844/001c.38475

Jaladanki S, Schechter SB, Genies MC, Cabana MD, Rehm RS, Howell E, Kaiser SV. Strategies for sustaining high‐quality pediatric asthma care in community hospitals. Health Services Research. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.13870

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