Assignment: Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation NURS 6050

Assignment: Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation NURS 6050

Assignment: Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation NURS 6050

Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation on Diabetic Education program

The primary aim of healthcare providers and organizations is to improve the health and wellbeing of the populations they serve by reducing disease incidences and severity. Diabetes is one of the chronic conditions that affects millions of Americans and nurses are a core aspect of the healthcare delivery system have a duty to design and implement diabetic education programs to help patients and their families navigate the delicate situation for patient based on severity (Laureate Education, 2018). Newly developed healthcare programs on diabetes education can improve outcomes and the quality of care and life for those with the chronic condition. Based on an interview, this essay summarizes the role of nurses in designing and implementing a diabetic education program for patients with diabetes.

Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice.

The healthcare program within the facility by nurses is the designing and implementing a diabetic education program. Diabetes continues to be a serious public health concern and efforts to offer education to diabetic patients can improve adherence to medication, and self-care management (Powers et al., 2020). The diabetes self-management education and support offers the foundation to help people with the disease navigate decisions that they must make daily and activities to improve health outcomes (Milstead & Short, 2019). Through the education program, diabetic patients will have knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for improved self-care.

What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?

The program focuses on providing resources and educational interventions at the convenience of a patient who visits the facility and would like to enhance their self-management approaches to diabetes. The institution will provide access to information through its online portal, physical materials to those visiting the facility, and one-on-one sessions with patients and their families to demonstrate the efficacy of the program. The health facility will save on workforce and resource costs since patient only need access to the portal. For those accessing the materials from the facility, the cost will be minimal based on the level and type of diabetes disease.

The projected outcomes from the program are varied. These include increased and better adherence to diabetes self-management protocols, lower or reduced costs of diabetes management, improved knowledge and abilities for patients and their families. The implication is that this program will enhance awareness and abilities among patients to self-manage and self-care for themselves.

Who is your target population?

The program’s main target is diabetic individuals and their families who shall benefit from the information and resources offered by the facility. The program also targets nurses working in the facility to enhance their knowledge and abilities to care for these patients in an effective manner.

What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?

Nurses play a critical role in care provision that includes designing healthcare programs like education program for diabetic patients. In this case, the nurse will offer interventions that can improve care and self-management for patients with different types of diabetes. The nurse will also guide the inclusion of self-management aspects that align with best evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions in the facility. For example, the nurse will identify strategies to enhance adherence to blood sugar monitoring and taking insulin medication at appropriate time.

What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?

Nurses are patient advocates and in this instance, education programs are necessary for patients to improve care outcomes. In this regard, the role of a nurse as a patient advocate is to ensure that the program meets patient needs, is easy to understand and can be implemented at home in collaboration with patients’ families. Nurses have a chance to directly influence policies because of their unique positions in healthcare system. Imperatively, having input in designing the diabetic education program is essential for effective success of the initiative. In this regard, I impact the design by ensuring that the initiative addresses key patient concerns and issues aimed at improving their overall management of diabetes. My input also includes having a monitoring system that allows providers to interact better with the patients.

What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation?

Nurses play a critical role in the implementation of healthcare program. At the core of this role is coordination where they work collaboratively with both patients and other providers to ensure the success of the program. Nurses also undertake roles of initiating the program by being educators and offering lessons to diabetic patients. 

How does this role vary between the design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?

The design and implement roles differ since the two stages are also different. The design stage entails having research, effective structures and collaboration, and laying the foundation for the program. The design stage also entailed identifying different roles and duties that each nurse should play and keeping them abreast with all aspects of the initiative (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2018). However, the implementation stage is the real working and being on the ground to execute the interventions. For instance, in implementation, one must execute the interactions with patients to attain their feedback and customize the education program to their needs. Implementation also entails working with community leaders and patient families to carry out the various interventions meant to enhance self-management.

Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why you think this?

The most important members of the healthcare team to implement this initiative include nurses, nurse managers, and social workers as well as physician dealing with particular customers. Nurses are patient advocate and understand the different aspects of their needs (Tomaschewski-Barlem et al., 2018). They are also providers dealing with different patients and can work alongside their managers and physicians to deliver quality care. As educators, they can offer lessons to patients with diabetes on the benefits of self-management and care to improve the quality of life.

Conclusion

The inclusion of nurses in designing and implementing diabetic education program illustrates the critical role that nurses play in care delivery. As demonstrated, the program to enhance education will improve quality of life for patients with diabetes. The program will also enable nurses to participate in different initiatives to improve overall care for patients. The implication is that diabetic patients require education programs that will enhance their adherence to medications and self-management decisions.

References

Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Design and Implementation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD:

Author

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.).

            Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Powers, M. A., Bardsley, J. K., Cypress, M., Funnell, M. M., Harms, D., Hess-Fischl, A., … &

Uelmen, S. (2020). Diabetes self-management education and support in adults with type 2 diabetes: a consensus report of the American Diabetes Association, the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of PAs, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Pharmacists Association. Diabetes Care, 43(7), 1636-1649. DOI: 10.2337/dci20-0023.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2018). Nurses Take on New and Expanded

Roles in Health Care. https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/articles-and-news/2015/01/nurses-take-on-new-and-expanded-roles-in-health-care.html

Tomaschewski-Barlem, J. G., Lunardi, V. L., Barlem, E. L. D., Silveira, R. S., Ramos, A. M., &

Piexak, D. R. (2017). Patient advocacy in nursing: Barriers, facilitators, and potential implications. Texto Contexto-Enfermagem, 26(3), e0100014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072017000100014

Osteoporosis and low bone density affect approximately 54 million Americans making it a growing health issue in the United States. Osteoporosis affects a significant proportion of the aged American population, according to statistics. The implication is that a sizable proportion of the population is predisposed to increased rate of bone fractures and breakage that might not be easy to heal. Osteoporosis prevention and reduction programs have been implemented in the United States (Lieberman et al., n.d.). This paper aims at looking in nursing role in osteoporosis reduction program implemented in my practice.

What is the Cost and Projected Outcome of the Program?

The Osteoporosis Prevention Program is a program that I implemented in my practice to address the high incidence of post-knee and hip bone surgery fractures. The Texas government established the OPP program in order to prevent and reduce osteoporosis rates in the state. The OPP program was necessary due to the fact that nearly one-third of the population in Texas suffered from recurrent bone fractures in 2015. A number of principles guide this program. Addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to osteoporosis, increasing resource availability, and transforming environments to promote physical activity and healthy eating are examples of these initiatives.

A number of activities have been carried out in order to meet the program’s objectives.

They include expanding healthy eating options, encouraging active living through the creation of healthy environments, and providing community and clinical preventive interventions for people at risk of bone fractures. The initiative also increases the likelihood of children and elderly populations at risk living a healthy lifestyle, as well as public health efforts to prevent osteoporosis (Osteoporosis Treatment & Prevention in Houston, Texas, n.d.). The program’s implementation costs are covered by government funds. The state’s bone fracture rate is expected to decrease, as are morbidity and mortality rates, and the population’s access to healthy foods and environments (des Bordes et al., 2020). It is also expected to improve Texans’ health and well-being, as evidenced by increased health-related awareness, lifestyle, and behavioral changes.

Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation

Obesity is one of the health issues that is becoming more prevalent in the United States. According to statistics, the percentage of the American population affected by obesity has been steadily increasing in recent years. The implication is that a sizable proportion of the population is predisposed to chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease (Liu et al., 2019). Programs have been put in place to ensure the prevention and reduction of obesity rates in the United States. As a result, this paper investigates a program implemented in my practice to combat obesity.

Tell us about a healthcare program that you offer in your practice. What are the program’s costs and expected outcomes?

The Obesity Prevention Program is a program that has been implemented in my practice to address obesity (OPP). The Texas government created the OPP program in order to prevent and reduce obesity rates in the state. The fact that one-third of Texas’s population was obese in 2015 made the OPP program necessary. The program is guided by a number of principles. They include improving social determinants of health that contribute to obesity, increasing resource availability, and transforming environments to promote physical activity and healthy eating. Several initiatives have been implemented in order to meet the program’s objectives.

They include expanding opportunities for healthy eating, promoting active living through the creation of healthy environments, and providing community and clinical preventive services to obese and at-risk populations. The program also improves opportunities for healthy childhood for at-risk children, as well as public health campaigns to combat obesity (Texas.gov, n.d.). The costs incurred in the program’s implementation are borne by the government. The projected outcomes include lower obesity rates in the state, lower morbidity and mortality rates, and increased access to healthy foods and environments for the population (Ash et al., 2017). The program is also expected to improve Texans’ health and well-being, as evidenced by increased awareness, lifestyle, and behavioral change on health-related issues.

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What is your target population?

I learned from my research that the program targets all the populations at risk and affected by obesity in Texas. The populations include children, adults, and the elderly in the state. The program addresses the social inequalities that contribute to obesity in the state. It also increases the opportunities for healthy living for the population irrespective of their backgrounds.

What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?

I have learned from my experience and research that nurses play several roles in providing input for the design of the OPP program. The first role that they play is ensuring that the strategies of the program align with the anticipated goals and objectives to be achieved. For example, they ensure that the adopted strategies are relevant to the needs of the populations affected and at risk of obesity. The other role of the nurses in providing input for the design of OPP is ensuring that the needs of the target population are incorporated into the program. For instance, they perform needs assessment to identify health-related aspects that should be prioritized in the project, hence, relevance of the project to the population (Lavie et al., 2018). The other way in which nurses influence the design process is assisting in the determination of the resource needs of the program. Adequate resources such as financial and human resources are needed for the successful implementation of the program. As a result, nurses can participate in providing insights into the needed resources based on their experiences with public health programs.

What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?

My roles as an advocate for the populations at risk of and affected by OPP program are varied. One of them is ensuring that adequate awareness is creating among the population on the need for the program and utilization of its strategies. Health education is needed to ensure that those at risk and affected by obesity understand the lifestyle and behavioral interventions that are needed for their health and wellbeing. My other role as an advocate is ensuring that the population has equal access to and utilization of the program initiatives.

I ensure that all the populations affected and at risk of obesity have enhanced access to program resources to promote their health. I address barriers such as costs related to the utilization of the program by the population. I also link the population to the resources that they need (Cheng et al., 2021). For example, I assist them in accessing community support groups where they can access the help they need in managing and preventing obesity. I have input on the design decisions. I work with other stakeholders in developing goals, strategies, and objectives of the program. I also participate in the determination of the resource needs of the program.

What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?

Nurses play a number of roles in the implementation of healthcare programs. One of the roles of nurses in healthcare program implementation is acting as implementers. Nurses participate in the actual implementation of the strategies of the program. They put into action the strategies that were developed to actualize the program. The other role of the nurses in program implementation is coordinating the implementation process. Nurses can participate in ensuring that the strategies of the program are implemented as expected.

They also ensure that the allocated resources are utilized optimally to ensure that the goals of the program are achieved. An example is working with the project management team in evaluating the resource utilization versus the plan to determine any deviations and implement changes (Lavie et al., 2018). The roles however vary in program design and implementation. Nurses participate in the development of program plans in the design. They implement the plans in the implementation phase. The design phase is also hands-off; as it entails strategy development while implementation is hands-on as it encompasses actual use of strategies in practice.

Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are the most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?

The members of the healthcare team that I believe are the most needed to implement OPP program are registered nurses, dietician, and physicians. Registered nurses play roles such as screening, health education, and follow-up of patients with hypertension. Dietician plays roles such as nutritional assessment and counseling for obese patients and those at risk. Lastly, physicians diagnose and treat the obese patients.

Conclusion

Overall, OPP is an effective program that addresses the issue of obesity. The program ensures that the affected and populations at risk of obesity are empowered on ways of living a healthier lifestyle. Nurses play critical roles in program design and implementation. Therefore, their active participation should be prioritized in program implementation and design.

References

Ash, T., Agaronov, A., Young, T., Aftosmes-Tobio, A., & Davison, K. K. (2017). Family-based childhood obesity prevention interventions: A systematic review and quantitative content analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1), 113. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0571-2

Cheng, H., George, C., Dunham, M., Whitehead, L., & Denney-Wilson, E. (2021). Nurse-led interventions in the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in infants, children and adolescents: A scoping review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 121, 104008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104008

Lavie, C. J., Laddu, D., Arena, R., Ortega, F. B., Alpert, M. A., & Kushner, R. F. (2018). Healthy weight and obesity prevention. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(13), 1506–1531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.1037

Liu, Z., Xu, H.-M., Wen, L.-M., Peng, Y.-Z., Lin, L.-Z., Zhou, S., Li, W.-H., & Wang, H.-J. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the overall effects of school-based obesity prevention interventions and effect differences by intervention components. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0848-8

Texas.gov. (n.d.). Obesity Prevention Program. Texas Department of State Health Services. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/obesity/

You explored how professional nurses can become active in policymaking during the Module 4 Discussion. Evaluation of the results is a vital component of any policy design. Are you at ease with the prospect of becoming involved in such matters?

Some nurses may be averse to participating in policy evaluation. The inclination may be to concentrate on patient care and well-being; some nurses may feel unprepared to engage in policy and political activities. However, as previously stated, who better than nurses to advocate for patients and effective programs and policies? Patient advocates are already present in meetings with physicians and senior leadership; why not with government and regulatory agencies?

Assignment: Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation

Both the honeyguide bird and the honey badger, as their names imply, have a fondness for honey. Honeyguide birds are experts at locating beehives but struggle to gain access to the honey contained within. Although honey badgers are well-equipped to raid beehives, they are not always successful. However, according to  Assignment: Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation NURS 6050, these two honey-loving species have learnt to work cooperatively to accomplish their goals. Honey badgers are guided to freshly discovered hives by the honeyguide bird. After the honey badger has emptied the hive, the honey guide bird enters safely to consume the remaining honey.

As with honeyguide birds and honey badgers, nurses and other health professionals from a variety of specialties can—and should—collaborate to create beneficial programs. Nurses bring a variety of specializations to the table, making them ideal partners for professionals with a variety of specialties. When nurses adopt the necessary leadership roles in the healthcare system, these collaborations may more effectively plan and deliver highly successful programs that accomplish objectives.

You will demonstrate this style of leadership in this Assignment: Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation NURS 6050 Assignment by pushing for a healthcare program. Additionally, you will advocate for the nurse’s collaborative participation in the design and execution of this program. Assume you are preparing to be interviewed by a professional organization/publication about your perspective on the nurse’s involvement in the design and implementation of innovative healthcare programs.

Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation

Interview Transcript of Responses

Question: Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?

Response:  As a utilization management nurse, I am currently tasked with the responsibility of reviewing how health care services are provided with cost efficiency, quality, and within compliance (Healthcare Support, 2020). To ensure the attainment of the job objectives, I comply with the organization’s utilization

management program called Milliman guidelines (MCG guidelines). MCG connotes evidence-based protocols that support health care providers in decision making at point of care. The cost of this program can only be determined by the management of the hospital as the details cannot be disclosed to the nurses but, they tend to differ from among the health care settings. The projected outcomes of the utilization management programs include identification of mistakes, enhancement of safety, reduction of waste, lowering health care costs, and reduction of incidences of re-hospitalization and length of hospital stay.

Question: Who is your target population?

Response:  The target population in this program is patients who visit the health care facility to seek health care services and the health care providers who provides the health care services to the patients.

Question: What is the nurse’s involvement in this healthcare program’s design process? Can you give any specific examples? As a nurse, you need to be familiar with the program to be able to contribute to its design. In order to get their thoughts on the program’s design and any issues they have, a nurse can speak with the program’s medical directors once they are familiar with the program’s features and functions (Valaitis et al., 2017). For example, I discovered that numerous trips to our medical institution were still awaiting clearance after going though the process for authorizing them. Following the MCG protocols, we permitted a large number of visitors to the institution. In other cases, a medical director’s approval was required because of the appropriateness and necessity of the visit. I brought this up to the facility’s medical director, who convened an emergency meeting of all key stakeholders as a member of the usage management team. At the meeting, the best approaches to boost the efficiency of visit approvals were discussed.

What is your position as a healthcare advocate for your target demographic? Does your opinion matter in the design process? What more can you do to influence the design process?

As patient advocates, nurses have an important role to perform (Gerber, 2018). It is my responsibility as a patient advocate to guarantee that my target group receives high-quality, cost-effective health care services that are compliant with established organizational criteria. As a member of the team, I will fight for these goals by regularly evaluating and auditing patient health records to ensure that patients only receive necessary procedures, appropriate treatment, and shorter hospital stays. The use of critical thinking skills and information to advocate for better quality of care and life and to prevent patient complications during hospitalization will also be applied. Using managed care tactics, I will also help health insurance providers control health care costs by determining whether or not a service is appropriate before committing to a payment based on evidence-based protocols or criteria. I currently have no say in the design of the program, but I can influence the design by offering suggestions based on the patterns I see in the data. When the usage management committee examines the patterns and determines what changes may be made to the design, they rely on the patterns to help them make better decisions for patients’ outcomes.

What is the nurse’s role in the execution of healthcare programs? What are the differences in the roles of the people who play this function in the conception and execution of healthcare programs? Can you give any specific examples?

Nursing is an important part of the health care program’s execution (Harris, Roussel & Thomas, 2016). In this program, I am responsible for implementing any changes made to the design of the program or adjusting to any new changes that may be related with the implementation of the program. In order to provide the best treatment possible, each patient must have specialized services catered to their specific needs. As a result, when implementing the facility’s usage program, it is my duty as a nurse to speak out for the patients’ best interests. Design and execution roles may be different since senior management and sales have a significant impact on the program’s design. Ensuring that the health care program’s policies, laws, and regulations are followed is a job for the department in charge of compliance.

Who do you think are the most important members of a healthcare team to implement a program? Why do you think that is?

In order for this program to be a success, it necessitates the participation of all members of the healthcare team at the hospital. As a result, the administration of a hospital is critical to the success of change implementation. Medical directors, on the other hand, play a critical role in assisting nurses in making judgments on utilization review and health care facilities. For example, if patients need interdisciplinary collaboration to influence beneficial outcomes, the interdisciplinary collaboration should be facilitated to obtain the desired results. Additionally, the usage committee and medical directors play a significant role in the formulation of recommendations and decisions pertaining to difficult situations regarding patient healthcare.

 References

Gerber, L. (2018). Understanding the nurse’s role as a patient advocate. Nursing2019, 48(4), 55-58. DOI: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000531007.02224.65

Harris, J. L., Roussel, L. A., & Thomas, T. (2016). Initiating and sustaining the clinical nurse leader role: A practical guide. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Healthcare Support. (2020). Utilization Management Nurse. Healthcaresupport.com. Retrieved 29 September 2020, from https://www.healthcaresupport.com/utilization-management-nurse/.

Valaitis, R. K., Carter, N., Lam, A., Nicholl, J., Feather, J., & Cleghorn, L. (2017). Implementation and maintenance of patient navigation programs linking primary care with community-based health and social services: a scoping literature review. BMC health services research, 17(1), 116. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2046-1

Much like honeyguide birds and honey badgers, nurses and health professionals from other specialty areas can—and should—collaborate to design effective programs. Nurses bring specialties to the table that make them natural partners to professionals with different specialties. When nurses take the requisite leadership in becoming involved throughout the healthcare system, these partnerships can better design and deliver highly effective programs that meet objectives.

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Grading Rubric Accomplished Emerging Unsatisfactory Content Points Range:62.25 (41.50%) – 75 (50.00%) Responds clearly, thoroughly, and effectively to all aspects of the assignment. All content is accurate and/or supported. Points Range:57 (38.00%) – 61.5 (41.00%) Responds adequately to the assignment but may not be thorough. Points Range:0 (0.00%) – 56.25 (37.50%) Does not respond to the assignment. Focus and Detail Points Range:31.125 (20.75%) – 37.5 (25.00%) There is a clear, well-focused topic. Main ideas are clear and are well supported by detailed and accurate information gathered from scholarly sources. Points Range:28.5 (19.00%) – 30.75 (20.50%) There is a clear, well-focused topic. Main ideas are clear but are not well supported by scholarly sources and detailed information. Points Range:0 (0.00%) – 28.125 (18.75%) The topic and main ideas are not clear. Organization Points Range:18.675 (12.45%) – 22.5 (15.00%) The introduction is inviting, states the main topic, and provides an overview of the paper. Information is relevant and presented in a logical order. The conclusion is strong. Points Range:17.1 (11.40%) – 18.45 (12.30%) The introduction states the main topic and provides an overview of the paper. A conclusion is included. Points Range:0 (0.00%) – 16.875 (11.25%) There is no clear introduction, structure, or conclusion. Mechanics and APA Points Range:12.45 (8.30%) – 15 (10.00%) The assignment consistently follows current APA format and is free of errors in formatting, citation, and references. There are no grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. All sources are correctly cited and referenced. Points Range:11.4 (7.60%) – 12.3 (8.20%) The assignment consistently follows current APA format with only isolated and inconsistent mistakes and/or has a few grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. Most sources are correctly cited and referenced. Points Range:0 (0.00%) – 11.25 (7.50%) The assignment does not follow current APA format and/or has many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors. Many sources are incorrectly cited and referenced or citations and references are missing.

Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation  

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Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation  

 Obesity is one of the health problems with increasing prevalence in America. According to statistics, the percentage of the American population that is affected by obesity has been rising significantly over the past years. The implication is that a significant proportion of the population is predisposed to chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease (Liu et al., 2019). Programs have been implemented to ensure that the prevention and reduction of rates of obesity in the US. Therefore, this paper explores a program in my practice implemented to address obesity.  

Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program? 

 The program within my practice that has been implemented to address obesity is the Obesity Prevention Program (OPP). The government of Texas came up with the OPP program with the aim of preventing and reducing the rates of obesity in the state. The fact that a third of the population in Texas was obese in 2015 necessitated the implementation of the OPP program. A number of principles guide the program. They include improvement of social determinants of health contributing to obesity, improving health equity, increasing resource availability, and transforming environments to address physical activity and healthy eating. Several initiatives have been adopted in a bid to achieve the objectives of the program. They include increasing opportunities for healthy eating, promoting active living through the creation of healthy environments, and provision of community and clinical preventive services for the populations at risk and affected by obesity. The program also strengthens the opportunities for healthy childhood for the children at risk as well as public health campaigns to address obesity (Texas.gov, n.d.). The costs incurred in the implementation of the program are obtained from the public resources. The projected outcomes include the reduction in the rates of obesity in the state, reduction in morbidity and mortality rates, and access to healthy foods and environments for the population (Ash et al., 2017). The program is also anticipated to improve the health and wellbeing of the Texans as evidenced by their increased awareness, lifestyle, and behavioral change on issues that affect their health.  

What is your target population? 

I learned from my research that the program targets all the populations at risk and affected by obesity in Texas. The populations include children, adults, and the elderly in the state. The program addresses the social inequalities that contribute to obesity in the state. It also increases the opportunities for healthy living for the population irrespective of their backgrounds.  

What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples? 

 I have learned from my experience and research that nurses play several roles in providing input for the design of the OPP program. The first role that they play is ensuring that the strategies of the program align with the anticipated goals and objectives to be achieved. For example, they ensure that the adopted strategies are relevant to the needs of the populations affected and at risk of obesity. The other role of the nurses in providing input for the design of OPP is ensuring that the needs of the target population are incorporated into the program. For instance, they perform needs assessment to identify health-related aspects that should be prioritized in the project, hence, relevance of the project to the population (Lavie et al., 2018). The other way in which nurses influence the design process is assisting in the determination of the resource needs of the program. Adequate resources such as financial and human resources are needed for the successful implementation of the program. As a result, nurses can participate in providing insights into the needed resources based on their experiences with public health programs.  

What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design? 

 My roles as an advocate for the populations at risk of and affected by OPP program are varied. One of them is ensuring that adequate awareness is creating among the population on the need for the program and utilization of its strategies. Health education is needed to ensure that those at risk and affected by obesity understand the lifestyle and behavioral interventions that are needed for their health and wellbeing. My other role as an advocate is ensuring that the population has equal access to and utilization of the program initiatives. I ensure that all the populations affected and at risk of obesity have enhanced access to program resources to promote their health. I address barriers such as costs related to the utilization of the program by the population. I also link the population to the resources that they need (Cheng et al., 2021). For example, I assist them in accessing community support groups where they can access the help they need in managing and preventing obesity. I have input on the design decisions. I work with other stakeholders in developing goals, strategies, and objectives of the program. I also participate in the determination of the resource needs of the program.  

What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples? 

 Nurses play a number of roles in the implementation of healthcare programs. One of the roles of nurses in healthcare program implementation is acting as implementers. Nurses participate in the actual implementation of the strategies of the program. They put into action the strategies that were developed to actualize the program. The other role of the nurses in program implementation is coordinating the implementation process. Nurses can participate in ensuring that the strategies of the program are implemented as expected. They also ensure that the allocated resources are utilized optimally to ensure that the goals of the program are achieved. An example is working with the project management team in evaluating the resource utilization versus the plan to determine any deviations and implement changes (Lavie et al., 2018). The roles however vary in program design and implementation. Nurses participate in the development of program plans in the design. They implement the plans in the implementation phase. The design phase is also hands-off; as it entails strategy development while implementation is hands-on as it encompasses actual use of strategies in practice.  

Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are the most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why? 

 The members of the healthcare team that I believe are the most needed to implement OPP program are registered nurses, dietician, and physicians. Registered nurses play roles such as screening, health education, and follow-up of patients with hypertension. Dietician plays roles such as nutritional assessment and counseling for obese patients and those at risk. Lastly, physicians diagnose and treat the obese patients.  

Conclusion 

 Overall, OPP is an effective program that addresses the issue of obesity. The program ensures that the affected and populations at risk of obesity are empowered on ways of living a healthier lifestyle. Nurses play critical roles in program design and implementation. Therefore, their active participation should be prioritized in program implementation and design.  

References 

Ash, T., Agaronov, A., Young, T., Aftosmes-Tobio, A., & Davison, K. K. (2017). Family-based childhood obesity prevention interventions: A systematic review and quantitative content analysis. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1), 113. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0571-2 

Cheng, H., George, C., Dunham, M., Whitehead, L., & Denney-Wilson, E. (2021). Nurse-led interventions in the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in infants, children and adolescents: A scoping review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 121, 104008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.104008 

Lavie, C. J., Laddu, D., Arena, R., Ortega, F. B., Alpert, M. A., & Kushner, R. F. (2018). Healthy weight and obesity prevention. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(13), 1506–1531. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.1037 

Liu, Z., Xu, H.-M., Wen, L.-M., Peng, Y.-Z., Lin, L.-Z., Zhou, S., Li, W.-H., & Wang, H.-J. (2019). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the overall effects of school-based obesity prevention interventions and effect differences by intervention components. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16(1), 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0848-8 

Texas.gov. (n.d.). Obesity Prevention Program. Texas Department of State Health Services. https://www.dshs.texas.gov/obesity/