Healthy People 2020 (2014) defines Social Determinants of Health as, “conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). “Many racial and ethnic minority patients experience lower quality health care compared to white patients” (University of Chicago & RWJF, 2014). Disparities in health outcomes exist not only across racial and ethnic groups, but can be related to sexual identity, age, disability, socioeconomic status, and geography as well (USDHHS, 2014).

This week’s learning materials included an online course (IHI Open School: Improving Health Equity), and videos on innovative ideas to address and close the gap in health disparities by addressing the social determinants of health (beyond health care). Additional resources in this week’s module highlight private industry and public (government) efforts to shine a light on disparities when they exist, and provide examples of programs and services to reduce or eliminate disparities–examples at individual, organization and population levels.

As you gather information on your Community Health Assessment assignment, take note of any disparities noted in your data (Review the Economic Indicator, Education Indicator and Health Equity reports in Community Commons). Consider the following questions in developing your initial post to this discussion board:

Define the concepts of health disparities and social determinants of health.
Introduce your county (for Community Health Assessment paper).
Describe disparities that you found to be present for at least two health conditions for your county.
Identify and describe at least one innovative program to address disparities (from the course materials/videos/readings). What are the desired results of that program? What are the factors which will impact it’s success?
Propose at least one strategy to address the identified health disparities within your community. Who would need to be involved in order for this strategy to be successful?

Use and cite resources and research articles; be creative and share your thoughts and ideas! Respond to at least one of your peer’s postings.

References:

United States Department of Health and Human Services. (2010). Determinants of health: A framework for reaching Healthy People 2020 goals [Video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Lul6KNIw_8

In the form of a research proposal briefly outline the practical steps that you would take to establish the psychometric properties of reliability, validity and norms for an assessment. Do not provide an overview of the steps in the statistical analyses.

Assignment 1: Written report on assessing the psychometric properties of a test.

Word limit: 1500

Outline the steps that you would take to establish the psychometric properties of reliability, validity and norms for an assessment. Keep in mind that there are different types of reliability and validity that need to be considered. Ensure that you include the following:

Define reliability
Define Cronbach’s Alpha and item-total correlations, and outline the levels that should be achieved in relation to both.
Define the different types of validity and the process that would enable you to demonstrate two type of validity of a measure. Indicate the strength of associations that you would want to see in relation to the two types of validity.
Define norms.
Each of the points above need to be supported with references to the empirical literature presented in APA format

Marking Guide: Assignment 1: Written report on assessing the psychometric properties of a test.

Word limit: 1500

In the form of a research proposal briefly outline the practical steps that you would take to establish the psychometric properties of reliability, validity and norms for an assessment. Do not provide an overview of the steps in the statistical analyses.

Define Cronbach’s Alpha and item-total correlations, and indicate the levels of each that should be achieved for use in the following contexts: clinical diagnosis and research.

Define test-retest reliability; provide a rationale with empirical support for the length of time between repeated measures. What level is indicative of good reliability?

Define convergent, divergent, and criterion related validity. Indicate the strength of associations that you would want to see in relation to the two types of validity.

Define norms and indicate what might be an appropriate sample size.

Briefly outline the steps you would take to assess the types of reliability and validity defined above.

Briefly outline the steps you would take to develop a norm.

Each of the points above need to be supported with references to the empirical literature presented in APA format.

Aaliyah continues to struggle with balancing her work hours and her schoolwork. She has been drinking coffee to help her stay awake, but it is no longer working. She has an exam coming up and needs to stay up to study.Aaliyah decides to take an amphetamine to stay awake to study for the exam. She promises herself that she will only take it this one time for the exam. The drug allows her to stay awake and alert while she is studying for the exam. She also feels that she is learning the material better as a result of the amphetamine. When the grades are in, Aaliyah receives an A on her work.As the semester continues, Aaliyah turns to amphetamines more and more often to help her stay awake to complete her schoolwork. Soon, Aaliyah finds that one pill no longer keeps her awake as long as she needs.She starts taking more than one pill at a time. She knows that taking amphetamines so often is not good for her health, and she finds she experiences an increase in headaches when she takes them, but she continues to take them because they are helping her be successful in school and at work.Based on the case study, prepare a paper that addresses the following:• Examine the change in amphetamine use and abuse in the U.S. from the 1950s to the present.• Explain to which schedule amphetamines belong and why they are on the Schedule of Controlled Substances.• Explain the effects Aaliyah might be experiencing as a result of her regular amphetamine use. Be sure to include:o Acute effects, chronic effects, and withdrawalo Effects on physiology (brain and body), behavior, mood, and toxicity• Give at least three indications from the case study suggesting there may be a problem with Aaliyah’s substance use. That is, describe at least three likely behaviors that Aaliyah is likely to exhibit if she is misusing amphetamines.Determine whether Aaliyah has a substance use disorder. Include a discussion of DSM criteria. Use the template to help you make the assessment.Write a 4-5-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Interprofessional practice requires that health care practitioners recognize that patient outcomes are better when there is a collaborative team approach in addressing patient health issues. Also, there are barriers to interprofessional practice that must be addressed among health care practitioners. The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) is an initiative including multiple professions designed to advance interprofessional education so that students entering health care professions are able to view collaboration as the norm and seek collaborative relationships with other providers (IPEC, 2011).
This week your Discussion will focus on interprofessional practice. This Discussion is an opportunity for you to examine your perspective and experiences with interprofessional collaborative practice and to apply your knowledge to managing patient care.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Identify a professional nursing organization and review their position on interprofessional practice
Review the following case study:
Case Study:
Ms. Tuckerno has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The patient receives care at an internal medicine clinic. Her internist is not in the office today and she is being treated by the nurse practitioner. The patient is on two medications for her MS, three different blood pressure medications, one medication for thyroid disease, one diabetic pill daily, insulin injections twice a day, she uses medical cannabis, and uses eye drops for glaucoma. Upon assessing the patient, the nurse practitioner (NP) decides her treatment plan should be adjusted. The NP discontinues some of the patient’s meds and discontinues medical cannabis. She orders the patient to follow up in two weeks.
The patient returns and is seen by her internist. The internist speaks with the patient and reviews her medical chart. The internist states to the patient, “I am dissatisfied with the care you received from the nurse practitioner.” The internist places the patient back on originally prescribed medications and medical cannabis.
Post on or before Day 3 an explanation of your understanding of interprofessional practice. Also, explain the position on interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization that you are a member of or of which you plan to become a member. Then, explain what you think is the best collaborative approach to manage Ms. Tuckerno’s care.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

Interprofessional practice requires that health care practitioners recognize that patient outcomes are better when there is a collaborative team approach in addressing patient health issues. Also, there are barriers to interprofessional practice that must be addressed among health care practitioners. The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) is an initiative including multiple professions designed to advance interprofessional education so that students entering health care professions are able to view collaboration as the norm and seek collaborative relationships with other providers (IPEC, 2011).
This week your Discussion will focus on interprofessional practice. This Discussion is an opportunity for you to examine your perspective and experiences with interprofessional collaborative practice and to apply your knowledge to managing patient care.
To prepare for this Discussion:
Identify a professional nursing organization and review their position on interprofessional practice
Review the following case study:
Case Study:
Ms. Tuckerno has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The patient receives care at an internal medicine clinic. Her internist is not in the office today and she is being treated by the nurse practitioner. The patient is on two medications for her MS, three different blood pressure medications, one medication for thyroid disease, one diabetic pill daily, insulin injections twice a day, she uses medical cannabis, and uses eye drops for glaucoma. Upon assessing the patient, the nurse practitioner (NP) decides her treatment plan should be adjusted. The NP discontinues some of the patient’s meds and discontinues medical cannabis. She orders the patient to follow up in two weeks.
The patient returns and is seen by her internist. The internist speaks with the patient and reviews her medical chart. The internist states to the patient, “I am dissatisfied with the care you received from the nurse practitioner.” The internist places the patient back on originally prescribed medications and medical cannabis.
Post on or before Day 3 an explanation of your understanding of interprofessional practice. Also, explain the position on interprofessional practice for a professional nursing organization that you are a member of or of which you plan to become a member. Then, explain what you think is the best collaborative approach to manage Ms. Tuckerno’s care.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

Read the case study titled “GE Healthcare (B): A CSR Dilemma” located in the XanEdu case pack (Link Below) Reviewing the case study titled “GE Healthcare (A): Innovating for Emerging Markets” may be helpful in supporting your arguments.
Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you: Determine two (2) specific ethical issues that General Electric (GE) Healthcare faced when implementing its strategy to introduce low cost diagnostic equipment to developing countries. Recommend two (2) actions that GE can take to resolve these ethical issues. Analyze the concepts of professional and applied ethics and determine whether GE Healthcare breeched these concepts in the development of its low cost alternatives for diagnostic medical equipment. Provide one (1) specific example to support your rationale. Determine whether GE Healthcare has any responsibility in resolving the issue of a preference for male children in cultures where its diagnostic ultrasound products are sold. Recommend one (1) strategy that would enable GE Healthcare to balance its responsibility of continued growth and development with any ethical or moral concerns investors and human rights groups might have regarding the use of its equipment in controlling the birth rates of male children in some cultures. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Analyze the roles of and the relationships among organizational mission, vision, values, and strategic goals, and why they are called directional strategies. Apply analytic skills to define strategic problems, generate and evaluate strategic alternatives, and develop implementation tactics. Use technology and information resources to research issues in the strategic management of health care organizations. Write clearly and concisely about strategic management of health care organizations using proper writing mechanics

Select a state regulation from a state of your choice on one of the following topics. Prepare an annotated copy of the regulation including the sections you reviewed to answer the questions in the following format:

Prepare a 3-4 pages response addressing all information in the following table. Highlight five to six notable parts to the regulations. For each of the parts describe how the patient, provider, product developer, health care organization, and payer may be impacted. Remember to write in narrative format except for titles. Use citations and attach the notated regulation. The instructor will set up a conference area to select one of the following or suggest your own with the approval of the instructor. No more than 3 students for each topic. First-come. First-served. The topics are as follows:

Frontline workers are required to be immunized for influenza and potentially other contagious diseases; Where does this requirement come from and how does the state regulation ensure compliance?
Health professionals have responsibility for reporting elder and child abuse and neglect. How do state regulations help to meet this expectation?
Long-term care facilities must offer certain services according to state standards. What are they?
Some states have a certificate of need program to assess the need for new health service providers. How does this work?
Lead paint screening is a federal initiative that takes place in nearly every state, how are these services regulated on the state level?
Sexually transmitted diseases are reportable under state regulation. What diseases and what regulations ensure this reporting properly.
Parental notification is required for the treatment of minors. Select a state and indicate how parental notification related to teen pregnancy in that state.
Patients must consent to participate in research studies, including granting permission to use their biological tissues for tissue banks or organ banks. Does this involve state regulations if not what laws govern this?
Health insurance is administered on a state level. What state regulations govern Health Information Exchange? (Note you must select a state with a Health Information Exchange in operation or close to operation.)
Alcohol and drug treatment varies widely across states. Select a state and note the specific regulations about drug treatment facilities.

This week builds on that foundational awareness with a focus on the application of evidence-based practice models as a strategy to improve patient safety and other quality dimensions. In this Discussion, consider how these strategies can sustain practice changes.
To prepare:
Read: Newhouse, R.P. (2007) Diffusing confusion among evidence-based practice, quality improvement and research. JONA 37,432-535 (see attached pdf)
Read: Mazurek Melynk B., Gallagher-Ford, L., English Long, L., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2014) The establishment of Evidence-Based practice competencies for practicing registered nurses and advanced practice nurses in real world clinical settings: proficiencies to improve healthcare quality, reliability, patient outcomes, and costs. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing 11(1),5-15. (see attached pdf)
We all agree that research is the highest form of reliable evidence, when implemented in an organization that provides the basis for an evidence based practice. FIND a research study published in a peer reviewed journal related to a clinical practice problem that is of interest to you, and which would ultimately contribute to an evidence based practice.
The discussion assignment:
ANSWER the following discussion questions. Include the research study in your post (attach it to the post and post it in doc sharing). See page 11 #15 in Mazurek Melynk, Gallagher Ford, English Long and Fineout-Overholt. In this assignment, you are being asked to critically appraise a single research study for its relevance to a QI practice problem.
Discussion questions:
1) What was the purpose of the research?
2) Identify the independent and dependent variables in the study.
3) Briefly describe the research design, data collection method(s), and instruments used to measure the variables under study.
4) Briefly summarize study findings, conclusions and recommendations. Do you agree with these?
5) As a DNP prepared nurse, would you recommend a change in nursing practice based on the study? Defend and/or justify your decision based on research evaluation principles. In other words, does the evidence generated by this research article signify a need to change nursing practice? If not, why not; if so, why?
Post by tomorrow Wednesday January 31, 2018 by 10 pm America New/York time
Required Readings
Joshi, M.S., Ransom, E.R., Nash, D.B., & Ransom, S.B., (Eds.). (2014). The Healthcare Quality Book, 3rd ed. Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.

Different parts of the world come with different problems, and it is easy to become complacent and lose sight of that fact. As such, different approaches are often needed to ensure essential services. But how do public health systems address the need for essential services? Activity, you will discuss regionally based challenges . You will also discuss organisational aspects of public health care systems.

To complete this Activity:

Create a discussion post in which you address the following:

Describe the definition of a public health system: What primary functions does a public health system perform? In order to reflect prevention, treatment and care, which organisations could be included in the system and why?

Evaluate a public health system in your region: How effectively does it address its public health goals? What appears to be the overall balance of investment across preventative care and treatment services?

post should address the following:

◦Identify commonalities or differences between the public health system you described and other

Readings Required :

Goodwin, N., G. Reinhold, & V. Iles, (2006) Managing Health Services, Understanding Public Health Series, Maidenhead: Open University Press, Section 2

Chapters 5 and 6

Merson, M. H., R. E. Black, & A. J. Mills, (2012) Global Health: Diseases, Programs, Systems, and Policies, Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning

Chapter 12 (pp. 615-648)

Optional

Chamberlain, J., & S. Watt, (2012) ‘Training Multidisciplinary Leaders for Health Promotion in Developing Countries: Lessons Learned’, Health Promotion Practice, 13 (3) pp. 344-348

Fried, L. P., P. Piot, J. J. Frenk, A. Flahault, & R. Parker, (2012) ‘Global Public Health Leadership for the Twenty-First Century: Towards Improved Health of All Populations’, Global Public Health, 7 Suppl 1 pp. S5-15

Gray, M., (2009) ‘Public Health Leadership: Creating the Culture for the Twenty-First Century’, Journal of Public Health (Oxford), 31 (2) pp. 208-209

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), (No Date) ‘About the OECD’. Available at: http://www.oecd.org/about/ (accessed 07/03/14)

Pascall, G., (2012) ‘Health and Health Policy’, in J. Baldock, L. Mitton, N. Manning, & S. Vickerstaff, (2012) Social Policy, New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 260-285

Must be in APA format times new Roman with 12pt font. Must have scholarly references page and using NIH, CDC, etc.

Book Review Criteria book must be on 10 minute mindfulness• Arrange your assignment in the following sequence with these required sections and subheadings and the content points noted.• Open a new Word document, and save it to your Desktop with the filename, “yourname_Book_Review,” inserting your name in place of “yourname.” • Begin your paper by setting the margins, font, and header. (See “APA Tutorial” or the “APA Formatted Template” in the left menu of the course.)• Click “Save” often to keep from accidentally losing your work.

Content CriteriaIntroduction Write a short paragraph that introduces your paper to the reader. This usually includes mention of all of the content/topics that will be written about within the body of the paper. For example, “First I will explain why I chose….”. Insert paper Title, centered, not bolded and Title case.Then start paragraph.Part I: Book State which book you chose, and discuss why you chose it. Include specific references to book title, description, authors, or particular experiences of yours that prompted you to select the book. Insert heading title, centered, bolded and Title Case.Then start paragraph. Part II: Two Topics of Interest Write two separate paragraphs describing topics or pieces of information from the book itself that made the greatest impression on you. Discuss why the topic impacted you giving an example of student impact for each of the topics. Insert heading title, centered, bolded and Title Case.Then start paragraphs.

Part III: Corroboration / Contradiction Provide at least two examples from an external source that either corroborates or contradicts the information or stance taken by the author of the book on your topics of interest. Be specific and relate the information from the external source to the book itself. Insert heading title, centered, bolded and Title Case.Then start paragraphs. Part IV: Practice Application Explain why or how the information you gained from the reading of this book will or will not affect your personal actions or your professional practice. Insert heading title, centered, bolded and Title Case.Then start paragraph.