Frameworks for Action in Policy and Politics

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of advocacy?

The examination of an object or a process to understand it better

The attempt to influence decision-making of a government for a fee

The active support for causes, individuals, and groups (correct)

The sustained actions focused on changing structures

Nurses have a moral obligation to actively engage in shaping policy. Is this statement true?

True

What is the aim of policy analysis?

to assess a problem and determine possible solutions

What do interest groups advocate for?

policies that are advantageous to their membership Signup and view all the answers

What are some strategies needed to increase the political skills of nurses?

Power-sharing, active listening, problem-solving, empathy, prioritizing others, communication and relations, decision-making strategies, education and training programs, interactive learning, incorporating political education into nursing curricula, empowerment, engagement in professional organization, gaining experience, giving chances, active application in the working environment, mentorship, and peer support. Signup and view all the answers

What does deep knowledge involve?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

Political antennae involves focusing only on nursing issues.

False Signup and view all the answers

Political skill involves understanding others and using knowledge to influence actions, encompassing social astuteness, interpersonal influence, networking ability, and apparent _____.

sincerity Signup and view all the answers

What are policy frameworks?

General structures that provide guiding architecture for policy action across one or multiple policy areas. Signup and view all the answers

What are the social determinants of health (SDH)?

Non-medical factors that influence health outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What are upstream factors in SDH?

Factors such as economic policies, development agendas, and political systems that shape the conditions of daily life. Signup and view all the answers

Digital literacies and Internet connectivity have been called the 'super social determinants of health' because they address all other SDH.

factors Signup and view all the answers

The SDH have no impact on health disparities.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept behind addressing health disparities?

Addressing root causes through prioritizing upstream factors Signup and view all the answers

Define health equity.

Health equity is the state where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full health potential without being disadvantaged by social position or other circumstances. Signup and view all the answers

Define policy in the context of dealing with a problem or matter of concern.

Policy is a relatively stable, purposive course of action or inaction followed by an actor or set of actors in dealing with a problem or matter of concern. Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of public policies with their descriptions:

Allocative policies = Provide benefits to specific groups to achieve public objectives Regulatory policies = Influence actions and behavior of individuals or groups to ensure public objectives are met Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Frameworks for Action in Policy and Politics

Policy frameworks are general structures that provide institutions a guiding architecture for policy action across one or multiple policy areas.

SDH are the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes, including conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping daily life.
These factors include economic policies, development agendas, social norms, social policies, and political systems.
Addressing SDH is important for improving health and reducing health disparities.

Upstream and Downstream Factors

Upstream factors are the root causes of health problems, such as social structures, policies, and cultural norms.
Downstream factors are tied to individual behaviors and healthcare access.
Targeting upstream factors is crucial to effectively address health disparities.

The Quintuple Aim

With 70% of healthcare outcomes linked to SDH, healthcare transformation efforts are bound to be futile without a targeted approach to address health equity.
The quintuple aim includes improving population health, enhancing the patient experience, reducing healthcare costs, improving healthcare workforce, and advancing health equity.

Policy and the Policy Process

Policy is a relatively stable, purposive course of action or inaction followed by an actor or set of actors in dealing with a problem or matter of concern.
Public policy is policy crafted by governments to influence health or healthcare.
Types of public policies include allocative policies, which provide benefits to a distinct group, and regulatory policies, which influence individual or group behavior.

Values form the foundation of proposed and implemented policies, influencing political and policymaking actions.
Politics is the use of relationships and power to gain ascendancy among competing stakeholders to influence policy and the allocation of scarce resources.
Science and research provide evidence to support policy recommendations and inform policy decisions.

The Framework for Action

Nursing is bound by a commitment to the public, with a moral obligation to actively engage in shaping policy, given their frontline experience with its implementation and impact on patient care.
Nurses need to work in multiple spheres of influence, including government, workplaces, interest groups, and communities, to shape health and social policy.

Spheres of Influence

Government: significantly shapes nursing and its practice, and nurses can impact government policymaking through various means.
Workforce and workplace: policies guide many activities in healthcare workplaces, and nurses can affect policy through internal organizational policies.
Interest groups: nurses can participate in interest groups to advocate for policies that benefit the nursing profession and patients.
Communities: nurses can engage with communities to promote optimal health and influence policy decisions.### External Policies and Associations
External policies, such as state laws regulating nursing licensure, influence the healthcare workplace.
Professional nursing associations play a crucial role in shaping practice by advocating for policies that support their members and address patient needs.
Associations serve as valuable platforms for novice nurses to gain insight into policy development and political engagement.

Community and Policy Influence

Communities can be geographic, online, or faith-based networks, and nurses can influence them by identifying problems, strategizing, and advocating for change.
Nurses can expand their influence by collaborating with other interest groups, which have become significant players in policy debates.

Political Skill and Competence

Political skill involves understanding others and using knowledge to influence actions, comprising social astuteness, interpersonal influence, networking ability, and apparent sincerity.
Political competence refers to the ability to navigate the political landscape, influence decision-making, and shape policies, requiring elements such as deep knowledge, political antennae, and power.
Political skill and competence are essential for nurses to influence healthcare policy and promote optimal health.

Strategies for Developing Political Skills

Strategies for developing political skills include power-sharing, active listening, problem-solving, empathy, prioritizing others, and incorporating political education into nursing curricula.
Empowerment, engagement in professional organizations, experience, mentoring, and peer support can also enhance political skills.

Parochialism and Obstacles to Political Education

Parochialism is a narrow approach that focuses on self-interest, limiting options and appearing self-serving.
Integrating real-life experiences into policy discussions can be highly impactful, linking human stories with scientific evidence.
Obstacles to political education include security concerns, emphasizing the need for trust between youth and political engagement.

Conclusion

Social determinants of health (SDH) affect health outcomes, and measuring SDH provides evidence for political action.
Forces shaping health and social policy include value, politics, science, advocacy, interest groups, policy analysis, media, and leadership.
Nurses play a crucial role in shaping health and social policy across four interconnected spheres: government, workplaces, interest groups, and communities.