CUNY City College of New York Healthcare Project Paper

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Introduction:

The following essay aims to address the different aspects related to enhancing patient care, healthcare delivery, and healthcare management. The essay will comprise five distinct parts that will delve into various topics related to healthcare practices. Part 1 will identify three processes at the internship site (Catholic Charities) that enhance patient care, healthcare delivery, or healthcare management. Part 2 will select one of the processes described in Part 1 and elaborate on the need that caused its development and how it effectively enhances healthcare delivery at the site. Part 3 will focus on the one process isolated in Part 2 and describe how the process could be improved, followed by a discussion on policy change. Part 4 will describe how others in the healthcare environment could be educated on the policy change proposed in Part 3. Lastly, Part 5 will discuss the cultural and practical barriers to implementing the plan proposed in Part 3.

Part 1:

At the internship site (Catholic Charities), there are several processes that enhance patient care, healthcare delivery, or healthcare management. One such process involves the implementation of electronic medical records. Electronic medical records have made it convenient for healthcare professionals to access and update patient records, which has significantly improved patient safety and the quality of care. The second process that enhances patient care is the involvement of patients in decision-making. By engaging patients in decision-making, healthcare providers gain a better understanding of their patients’ needs and preferences, which leads to better care outcomes. The third process that enhances healthcare delivery is teamwork among healthcare professionals. Effective collaboration and communication among healthcare providers lead to better coordination of care, resulting in better patient outcomes.

Part 2:

Of the processes described in Part 1, the involvement of patients in decision-making is the selected process. The need for patient involvement in decision-making within healthcare settings arises from the fact that in most cases, patients have specific preferences, values, and goals that must be factored into their care. In some instances, patients choose not to undergo certain medical procedures due to personal preferences, cultural beliefs, and values, while other patients opt for a particular treatment approach due to their unique goals and preferences. In such cases, involving patients in decision-making increases the chances of the patient getting quality care that aligns with their preferences and goals. At the internship site, patient involvement in decision-making has been effective in enhancing healthcare delivery, improving patient outcomes, and increasing patient satisfaction.

Part 3:

The process of involving patients in decision-making could be improved by establishing an effective communication system that ensures patients get timely information about their health. Effective communication systems should not only focus on providing information but should also seek to educate patients about their health conditions and the available options for managing the conditions. Secondly, healthcare providers should receive specialized training on how to effectively communicate with patients from diverse backgrounds. There should be a concerted effort to train healthcare providers to understand various cultural beliefs and values to help them tailor care to individual patients’ needs and preferences. Policy change should focus on implementing communication training programs for healthcare providers and developing effective communication systems that promote shared decision-making practices.

Part 4:

To educate others in the healthcare environment on the policy change proposed, training programs could be developed to educate healthcare providers on effective communication practices. The training programs should cover various aspects of healthcare, including cultural competence, patient-centered care, and shared decision-making practices. Educating healthcare providers on effective communication strategies would improve patient satisfaction, enhance healthcare delivery, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. The training program should be tailored to meet the unique needs of different healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and support staff.

Part 5:

Cultural and practical barriers to implementing the plan proposed in Part 3 include resistance to change, divergent healthcare policies, and inadequate funding. Resistance to change could arise due to a lack of awareness or understanding of the benefits of shared decision-making practices. To overcome this barrier, stakeholders should be sensitized about the benefits of the proposed changes. Divergent healthcare policies at different levels of government could impede the implementation of shared decision-making practices. Adequate funding is necessary to provide the necessary resources for effective communication systems and training programs. Finding sources of funding could be a significant challenge to implementing policy changes.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, enhancing patient care, healthcare delivery, and healthcare management require a multifaceted approach that involves the collaboration of different stakeholders in the healthcare system. Policy changes aimed at promoting effective communication systems and shared decision-making practices could significantly enhance patient satisfaction, improve healthcare delivery, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. Adequate funding, training programs, and effective communication systems are necessary for implementing policy changes that would enhance patient care in different healthcare settings.