Access to Health Services
(B) Community Health Nursing Diagnosis Statement
Increased risk of access to health services among the disabled and the elderly related to insufficient clinics poor transportation and as demonstrated by low average health services and immunizations provided at the clinic.
(B1) Health Inequity/Disparity
Braveman (2014) defines health disparities as the existence of health inequities in a given community. Health disparities entail burden, mortality, prevalence or incidence of diseases as well as additional adverse aspects affecting a target community. Sentinel Town exhibits various health disparities that contribute to a reduced level of access to health services among the elderly and disabled in the area. The average number of the target population accessing healthcare services such as vaccinations is very low. The problem is directly linked to poor transport and inadequate clinics. Sentinel town is poorly planned, has no sidewalks, muddy roads in winter and potholes for rods that are paved. The lighting in the town is also poor. The adverse condition of the roads makes it difficult for the population to walk to the clinic as they may get sideswiped. Also, there are not enough transport shuttles to take people to the clinic or Sentinel City for healthcare as driving through the roads may be a challenge. Additionally, it is a challenge for the mailing services agency to deliver medications and food for good health due to poor transportation. In most cases, individuals receive their ordered items late. Furthermore, Sentinel Town has only one public clinic serving all people, and it is only opened in weekdays up to five o’clock. As such, anyone who falls ill after five and weekend they have to navigate through the muddy roads to the city. Lack of local pharmacy also makes it a challenge for the members to obtain medications except for the limited drugs sold at the general store shop and the service station.
Inaccessibility to healthcare in Sentinel Town is a problem for all people. However, it is increasingly problematic for the elderly and disabled who unlike the others, may not be able to walk through the faulty roads to the clinic. The fear of falling or getting sideswiped by a car on the streets is high. As such, the population chooses to stay indoors.
(B1a) Primary community and Prevention Resources
Community resources entail assets available in the area to meet the needs of people. Sentinel Town has only one clinic that provides health care services to its town people during weekdays daytime. The General Hardware Store also offers pharmacy services by selling some medications to the locals. Also, the Service Station has some medication stock and therefore avails pharmacy services to Sentinel Town population.
Primary prevention measures, on the other hand, refer to strategies laid down to inhibit the development of a problem. In Sentinel Town case, primary prevention measures are approaches put in place to improve health care accessibility. The area has no primary prevention strategy explicitly meant for helping the elderly and the disabled access healthcare as revealed by most key informants in the area. Nonetheless, some individuals have made an effort to ensure the target population can access healthy food, medication and health services sometimes. For instance, Dulce Lopez, who is a family nurse practitioner, visits the homebound elders to attend to their health needs. The support is, however, limited as the nurse has to work for four days at the clinic and one day at the schools as well. Sandy Johnson, the manager at the General Hardware store also makes efforts to deliver some food to the elderly that could keep them healthy. The deliveries, however, are late most of the time or the items may not be there, especially during winter, when the store runs out of items. Further, the Post Office does provide delivery services of medications to various homes. However, in most cases, individuals receive their medication late as the delivery person finds it hard to navigate through the bad roads in the area.
(B1b) Underlying Causes
Sentinel town has various underlying causes leading to health care inaccessibility. Adverse transport is one of the contributing factors, and it involves muddy roads, potholes in the paved roads and lack of shuttles to take people to the clinic or the city for healthcare services. The second cause of inaccessible health care services is inadequate healthcare centres. Sentinel Town has only one clinic serving the entire population. What’s worse, the clinic opens until 5 o’clock on weekdays. Therefore, the community cannot receive treatment at night and during the weekends unless they travel to the city, which is greatly hindered by bad roads. There is also a reluctance problem where people in the town do not like seeking healthcare. Although no reasons stated directly, income levels of most people are low, and it might not be a priority to seek medication attention as they have to cater to other essential needs such as food and shelter.
(B2) Evidence-Based Practice
In the context of public health practice, evidence-based practice entails developing, implementing and evaluating effective policies and programs. The processes involve the use of scientific reasoning such as the application of information systems and data, program planning frameworks, and appropriate use of science-related behavioral theory (Healthy People, 2020). In the provision of public health, evidence-based practice depends on good practice and incorporates systematic research with professional judgment. The aspects ensure policies and programs chosen to improve health outcome are effective, and they can translate to recommendations that can impact the health statuses of people.
Similarly, Jacobs et al., (2012) agree with the Healthy People 2020 whereby health professionals ought to use proven strategies to enhance community health. The study proposes evidence-based practice public health tools such as systematic use of information systems and data, decision making based on best peer-reviewed substantiation available, and use of planning frameworks. Also, executing evaluation events and dissemination of ideas learnt during implementation make part of the evidence-based practice public health.
(B2a) Identification of Data
Developing appropriate measures to address the problem of health inaccessibility in Sentinel Town is vital as the issue is problematic. Due to the lack of health care services, people have different health problems, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases which go untreated. Lack of recreational sites and events and physical inactivity worsens the issue and puts the population at an increased danger of developing more complications. The number of falls and injuries reported in the town are also significant, and a dependable form of care is necessary to treat the victims. General accessibility of health care is too low, translating to reduced immunizations not only in the elderly and the disabled but in the rest of the population. Besides, the economic level of Sentinel time is low, and people cannot afford to travel to the city for care, making it increasingly vital to avail efficient care to the community.
Chronic illnesses, minimal immunizations, and conditions such as injuries and falls could cause adverse effects to members of any population. What’s more, if there are no available health services, the outcome could be characterized by deaths and undesirable health states. Consequently, it’s vital to ensure such issues are managed by improving health care accessibility.
(C1) Social Media Campaign Objective
The objective of the campaign will be to empower and avail relevant health information on immunizations, falls, injuries, and benefits of physical activity to the population. The social media form to be used for implementation will be Facebook and Twitter. The platforms will contain interactive features that can engage individuals and health providers to questions, answers and directions on various matters related to health. Within the first four weeks after launching the campaign, 90% of individuals with smartphones and laptops should have joined the Facebook and Twitter accounts. Also, half of those subscribed should have received health care advice and started some forms of physical exercise in their homes and buy medicine at the General Hardware Centre and the service station.
(C2)Social Marketing Interventions
One of the social media marketing intervention for the campaign will be providing information on the benefits of physical activity and some demonstrations on some indoor exercises such as yoga and breathing and stretches for the disabled as well as treatment options and drugs for immunizations, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. The second intervention will be giving information on available transport means that could take the individuals to the health clinic or deliver medications around homes. Lack of transportation means to access the clinic, fear of falling and limited services at the clinic may not allow time for teaching individuals on various strategies to stay healthy. However, with the Facebook account, it’s possible to reach to a large number of individuals and impact their lives positively.
(C3) Description of Social Media Platform
As mentioned, the social media platforms to be used in the campaign are Facebook and Twitter. Facebook refers to a site whereby individuals can sign for free and connect with the world. Content that can be accessed on Facebook includes information on friends, work and even unknown people. With the tool, users can share articles, videos, music, thoughts, and pictures. Twitter, on the other hand, refers to a microblogging podium whereby users can send post tweets. The tweets can also include sites to vital and relevant resources and websites (CDC, 2011).
(C3a) Benefits of Social Media Platform
The CDC considers the Facebook and Twitter have various benefits in promoting public health. These include large traffic flow, ability to reach to more individuals and low maintenance costs. Both podiums can also support videos and articles as well as comments. The aspects provide an excellent opportunity for community members to ask questions and clarify information while healthcare professionals and other collaborators can give feedback, and post useful information. Health professionals can also do follow-ups through social media platforms and check on the progress of community members and determine if they are accessing more healthcare services.
(C4) Benefit to Target Population
The social media campaign will benefit the target population in different ways. With information on various conditions and sedentary lifestyle, they will realize how they are contributing to their health. As such, it will be easier to change their behavior and adopt a more active life. This will further translate to reduced weight, cholesterols and stress levels. Also, with the information on how to get to the healthcare facility, it will be possible to visit the clinic and receive treatment physically. Additionally, receiving information on how to order and have medications delivered on time, they will adhere to appropriate drugs prescriptions. Exchanging information on the same platform will help individuals encourage each other and remain accountable, resulting in improved general health.
(D) Best Practices for Social Media
Development, planning and implementation of social media interventions require guidance principles to ensure only relevant, clear and secure information is shared. Under personal use of social media, the CDC (2015) recommends the participation of health professionals to be governed by regulations and laws. Information shared should also be reflective of the clinical values. On the context of official use, health workers and collaborators ought to identify themselves when posting online and establish an appropriate channel to manage comments, and security through time and resources allocation.
(E1) Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities
Further, the social media campaign requires stakeholders who can perform various tasks such as may identify essential provisions for the campaign to be successful and communicate the campaign’s message (Clark, 2015). One of the stakeholders to approach is Sandy Johnson, who is the General Hardware Store. She is interested in the welfare of the elderly in Sentinel Town. She can also meet multiple people while buying or ordering items. As such, she will be useful in communicating the message. Dulce Lopez, the nurse, can also be a perfect stakeholder in advertising the program to her clients as she visits them in their homes to provide care. After all, she interested in the welfare of the elderly and disabled. Elliot Evans would also be an excellent stakeholder who can advise on information and ways to engage the community as he has a medical background.
(E2) Potential Public and Private Partnerships
Clark (2015) also recommends partnerships when promoting community health as partners focus on improving health outcome and share resources to implement various strategies. Potential partners in Sentinel Town including the General Hardware Shop which can stock and supply drugs and healthy foods to the target population. Another possible partner is the US Post Office which can provide more cars to transport drugs to various locations on time. Additionally, the clinic could be a perfect partner as they can provide care to individuals who may seek more health attention due to the campaign. They can also make plans to provide some emergency services to the community, including at weekends and night time. The sheriff’s office is also another potential partner who can provide information on individuals that should be incorporated into the program. The office is also at a position of identifying and advocating for appropriate picnic areas where individuals can engage in physical activity and fixing of proper lighting to ensure members are not afraid of seeking health services at night.
(E3) Timeline
Achieving tangible results with the target population will require sufficient time. The period will allow individuals to join the Facebook and Twitter accounts, learn how to use them and absorb the message that will help them. Consequently, a period of six months will be appropriate for the population to engage in the plan and assist in increasing health access awareness and propose successful means to provide the services.
Campaign timeline
Activity
Timeframe
Defining campaign goals
15 days
Planning for campaign outline
15 days
Preparing sponsorship strategy and sourcing stakeholders and partners
Two months
Creating the social media campaign
Two and a half months
Publishing the campaign
15 days
(E4) Evaluation
It will be vital to understand how many individuals are in the campaign at a given interval, such as four weeks. It will also be necessary to determine if relevant information is being shared and its impact on the population. Every time a member joins the Facebook or Twitter accounts, a unique numeric identifier will be given to help organize the data (Dillon, & Maxfield, 2010). Ongoing analytics will be utilized to evaluate events overtime while campaign-focus metrics will help measure the outcome of the entire project.
(E5) Cost of Implementing the Campaign
The total estimated direct and indirect cost of implementation and evaluation of the plan will be approximately $1.5 million. This will involve logistics, office, personnel and security arrangement plan. The resources will be sourced from the local government, stakeholders and partners.
(F) Reflection on Social Media Marketing
Using social media allows community health nurses to promote healthy community in different ways. One best way is providing relevant, and evidence proved solution on social media marketing mediums. Managing comments and security of patients is also another way to handle issues affecting them and thus improving their health status. An example of one way of fulfilling these nest practices is whereby a nurse can post information such as “Practicing Breathing Away Stress in 8 Steps helps reduce stress” trigger some individuals to start engaging in the exercise and lead a life with reduced stress.
(F1) Reflection on Future Nursing Practice
The American Public Health Association (2020) considers social media as an essential tool in promoting health outcomes of communities. As such, I can utilize social media marketing to my future nursing practice. For instance, I can blog about benefits of physical activity on addressing obesity and invite community members and colleagues to access the information and apply it and advise on where to make amendments to meet the target group involved, respectively perfectly.-2