NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills

Name

Capella University

NHS-FPX 4000 Developing a Health Care Perspective

Prof. Name

Date

Applying Research Skills

Healthcare challenges arise from historical and systemic barriers. Limited access to resources persistently hinders the delivery of adequate services to communities despite efforts to promote equitable access to healthcare. Factors such as geographical isolation, inadequate infrastructure, lack of insurance, and shortages of healthcare providers contribute to these challenges (Núñez et al., 2021). Approximately 646 million individuals worldwide, accounting for 8.9% of the world population, face restricted access to healthcare within one hour when relying on motorized transport. Additionally, a staggering 3.16 billion people, constituting 43.3% of the populace, encounter obstacles in reaching healthcare facilities within the same timeframe by foot, predominantly due to isolated geographical locations (Weiss et al., 2020). Healthcare providers understand and address barriers to access, which is crucial for delivering equitable care to all patients. It involves identifying patient populations with limited access and implementing interventions such as telemedicine and in-home healthcare services to bridge the gap (Isles et al., 2021).

In my nursing practice, I encountered significant challenges linked to limited access to healthcare. It concerned barriers such as location, cost, and provider availability. One notable issue within my healthcare facility was the prevalence of untreated conditions and health disparities due to these barriers. Patients often experience difficulties accessing timely medical care due to transportation issues or lack of insurance coverage. This led to worsened health conditions and the overall well-being of individuals in our community. This assessment focuses on exploring best practices aimed at addressing the pressing issue of limited access to healthcare services through annotated bibliographies.

Identification of Academic Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Various resources, including Capella University Library, Google Scholar, CINAHL, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, were utilized to address the challenges of accessing healthcare. Diverse keywords were applied to enhance the research, and the CRAAP criteria were employed to search for articles. Additionally, reliability and academic validity were ensured by screening peer-reviewed publications. Keywords such as “barriers to healthcare,” “telehealth, healthcare,” and “telemedicine” were employed to refine searches. To ensure currency, the search was limited to publications within the last five years.

Evaluating Credibility and Relevance of Information Sources

In the evaluation of information credibility for interventions like telemedicine, the CRAAP criteria, namely Currency, Relevance, Accuracy, Authority, and Purpose, were carefully followed (Weiss et al., 2021). Sources were chosen, prioritizing academic peer-reviewed journals that aligned with the authority and relevance criteria. These sources refined the authors’ expertise in their field and content connection. Articles within the last five years were selected to address currency, acknowledging the dynamic nature of telehealth. The systematic approach guaranteed rigorous scholarly review processes and ongoing relevance, enhancing the reliability and applicability of the topic. These sources provided valuable insight into the implications of interventions for limited healthcare access (Diz & Rufino, 2021). These papers sought to address issues in the availability and access of healthcare, aiming to improve the well-being of the population.

Annotated Bibliography

Anderson, J., & Singh, J. (2021). A case study of using telehealth in a rural healthcare facility to expand services and protect the health and safety of patients and staff. Healthcare, 9(6), 736. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9060736

In this article, the authors examined the implementation of telemedicine in a rural healthcare system to enhance facilities and ensure the safety of patients and staff. The study outlined the barriers encountered by exurban healthcare facilities, including the restricted approach to specialized care and the need to minimize exposure to infectious diseases. By integrating telehealth technology, the facility expanded access to healthcare services, enabling patients to consult with specialists remotely. This approach not only improved patient outcomes but also reduced the risk of disease transmission, particularly during world health situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study highlighted the cruciality of strategic planning and investment in telehealth infrastructure, as well as staff training to utilize the technology effectively. Additionally, this article underscored the need for policy support and reimbursement mechanisms to sustain telehealth services in rural areas. This article was selected for its examination of telemedicine’s implementation in rural healthcare, addressing critical barriers like limited specialized care and infection control. It emphasizes the importance of strategic planning, staff training, and policy support to sustain telehealth services in rural areas.

Ledesma, E. E., & Langabeer, T. C. (2022). Advancing access to healthcare through telehealth: A Brownsville community assessment. Healthcare, 10(12), 2509. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122509

The article presented a comprehensive assessment of telehealth implementation in Brownsville, Texas, a region facing significant healthcare challenges. It highlighted infrastructure disparities, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions to address the unique needs of underserved communities. Key findings revealed barriers such as technological limitations, language barriers, and cultural stigmas. Stakeholder input underscored the importance of a hybrid model, integrating in-person and telemedicine visits and prioritizing resources for diabetes management and behavioral health.

The study recommended an interprofessional approach, leveraging community partnerships and culturally sensitive strategies. Recommendations included accountability measures, citizen representation in governance, and leveraging existing healthcare networks.

The research underscored the potential of telehealth to bridge healthcare gaps. Still, it stressed the necessity of context-specific solutions and community engagement for successful implementation. The article was chosen for its detailed examination of telehealth implementation in a community facing healthcare challenges, providing insights into addressing barriers like technological limitations and cultural stigmas. Nurses can benefit from its recommendations for a hybrid care model, interprofessional collaboration, and community engagement. This article offers practical strategies for improving healthcare delivery in underserved populations.

Sampa, M. B., Hoque, Md. R., Islam, R., Nishikitani, M., Nakashima, N., Yokota, F., Kikuchi, K., Rahman, M. M., Shah, F., & Ahmed, A. (2020). Redesigning portable health clinic platform as a remote healthcare system to tackle COVID-19 pandemic situation in unreached communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), 4709. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134709

The article discussed adapting portable health clinics into remote healthcare systems to address the problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in underserved communities. This study explored transforming traditional healthcare delivery models to overcome limitations in reaching remote populations during the pandemic. The study emphasized the importance of innovative solutions to ensure continuous healthcare access for communities with limited resources and infrastructure. By repurposing portable health clinics and integrating telemedicine technologies, healthcare professionals could remotely check and treat patients, reducing the risk of virus infection and enhancing healthcare accessibility.

The article outlined the redesign process of the portable health clinic platform, focusing on the integration of telemedicine tools, such as video consultations and remote monitoring devices. It also discussed the implementation challenges and strategies for overcoming barriers to remote healthcare delivery in unreached communities. Overall, the study highlighted the potential of repurposing existing healthcare infrastructure and leveraging technology to address public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in underserved and remote areas. This article was selected because it highlights innovative solutions to address healthcare access challenges in underserved communities. Nurses can find value in articles’ insights on integrating telemedicine tools and providing guidance for delivering remote healthcare effectively in resource-limited settings.

Zegeye, B., El-Khatib, Z., Ameyaw, E. K., Seidu, A.-A., Ahinkorah, B. O., Keetile, M., & Yaya, S. (2021). Breaking barriers to healthcare access: A multilevel analysis of individual- and community-level factors affecting women’s access to healthcare services in Benin. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 750. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020750

The article explored the intricate dynamics influencing Benin’s approach to healthcare. Through a multilevel analysis, the study delved into both individual and community factors impacting healthcare accessibility. By examining variables such as socioeconomic status, education level, distance to health facilities, and community resources, the research shed light on the complex web of challenges faced by women seeking healthcare services. The study highlighted disparities in healthcare access based on factors such as income level and educational attainment, illustrating how these individual-level characteristics interacted with broader community-level factors.

Components such as transportation infrastructure, availability of healthcare facilities, and cultural norms further shaped women’s ability to access healthcare services. By comprehensively analyzing these factors at multiple levels, the study provided valuable insights for policymakers and healthcare practitioners aiming to address healthcare disparities in Benin. The rationale for choosing this research paper is for its in-depth analysis of the complex factors influencing healthcare accessibility. By understanding the interplay of individual and community-level determinants, nurses can tailor interventions to address specific barriers and improve healthcare access for women in community settings.

Learnings from the Research

The analysis of multiple articles on healthcare access has enhanced my knowledge of valuable insights for implementing new interventions to address limited healthcare access. For instance, from Anderson and Singh’s (2021) study, I learned about the importance of telemedicine implementation in rural healthcare facilities to overcome the problem of limited access to resources. Telemedicine can expand services and enhance patient safety, especially during public health events like the COVID-19 pandemic. Ledesma and Langabeer (2022) highlight the importance of tailored interventions and community engagement in addressing barriers to telehealth adoption in regions with significant healthcare challenges, such as Brownsville, Texas. Sampa et al. (2020) discuss the repurposing of mobile health clinics into telehealth systems, showcasing innovative solutions to overcome limitations in reaching underserved communities during public health emergencies. From Zegeye et al.’s. (2021) papers, I understood the pressing need for targeted interventions considering individual and community-level determinants. These studies helped me to understand the challenges of healthcare access and stressed the need for planning, investing in infrastructure, working together, and involving communities to improve it. They look at different factors affecting healthcare access and offer specific solutions. Overall, from all the discussed bibliographies, I learned about the severity of the issue of limited access to healthcare services. By utilizing these articles, healthcare staff can learn useful interventions to overcome the challenges that arise due to limited access to healthcare services.

References

Diz, P. H., & Rufino, C. L. (2021). Libraries fight disinformation: An analysis of online practices to help users’ generations in spotting fake news. Societies, 11(4), 133. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc11040133

Isles, D. N., Macniven, R., Hunter, K., Gwynn, J., Lincoln, M., Moir, R., Dimitropoulos, Y., Taylor, D., Agius, T., Finlayson, H., Martin, R., Ward, K., Tobin, S., & Gwynne, K. (2021). Enablers and barriers to accessing healthcare services for Aboriginal people in New South Wales, Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 3014. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063014

Núñez, A., Sreeganga, S. D., & Ramaprasad, A. (2021). Access to healthcare during COVID-19. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2980. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062980

NHS FPX 4000 Assessment 2 Applying Research Skills

Weiss, A. P., Alwan, A., Garcia, E. P., & Kirakosian, A. T. (2021). Toward a comprehensive model of fake news: A new approach to examine the creation and sharing of false information. Societies, 11(3), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc11030082

Weiss, D. J., Nelson, A., Vargas-Ruiz, C. A., Gligorić, K., Bavadekar, S., Gabrilovich, E., Bertozzi-Villa, A., Rozier, J., Gibson, H. S., Shekel, T., Kamath, C., Lieber, A., Schulman, K., Shao, Y., Qarkaxhija, V., Nandi, A. K., Keddie, S. H., Rumisha, S., Amratia, P., & Arambepola, R. (2020). Global maps of travel time to healthcare facilities. Nature Medicine, 26(12), 1835–1838. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-1059-1