Emerging Trends in Health Care

For health care providers, changes in governmental policies, local and national economics, and the need to integrate new technologies, tests, and procedures can all impact the financial situation of an organization. In addressing financial issues, a myriad of factors must be considered, such as the varying objectives of those providing care, resource availability, the population being served, and the implementation of government policies. As a nurse manager, you must consider the potential positive and negative impacts of new trends on your organization and all its stakeholders.

In this Discussion, you evaluate how emerging trends in the health care field impact health care decisions for patients, doctors, and nurses.

To prepare:

Review the Learning Resources for this week, focusing on the role of nurse managers in making financial decisions.

Conduct additional research in the Walden Library and other relevant sources, to identify three emerging trends that are affecting health care today.

Select one trend to discuss in detail and evaluate its implications for the delivery of care from the perspective of doctors, nurses, and patients.

Reflect on how this trend might impact quality of care.

Post a brief description of three emerging trends that are affecting health care today. Evaluate the implication of one of these trends on the delivery of health care from the perspectives of doctors, nurses, and patients. Explain how this trend might impact the quality of care.

AND

Read a selection of your colleagues' responses.

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days. Identify those who described a trend that is of particular interest to you and comment on why you find that trend to be interesting and how it could impact what you do on a daily basis.

(I will send the responses soon)
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional sources.

Required Readings

Baker, J., & Baker, R. W. (2014). Health care finance: Basic tools for nonfinancial managers (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 2, "Four Things the Healthcare Manager Needs to Know About Financial Management Systems" (pp. 11-21)

This chapter focuses on the overall financial management system within an organization and identifies the basic system elements.

Zelman, W., McCue, M., & Glick, N. (2009). Financial management of health care organizations: An introduction to fundamental tools, concepts, and applications (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Chapter 1, "The Context of Health Care Financial Management" (pp. 1-23)

This chapter offers differing perspectives on the causes of a "health care system in distress." The chapter explores the factors behind rising health care costs, the efforts to control costs, and the ethical issues that affect both.

Note: This eBook is accessible through the Course Readings List located in the Course Materials section of the Syllabus.
Sanford, K. (2011). The case for nursing leadership development. Health care Financial Management, 65(3), 100-104, 106.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article details the costs of ineffective management and leadership to a health care organization. Management and leadership are defined as "a discipline" and "an art," requiring commitment to the organization's goals, to the team, and to the patient.
Waldman, D. (2014). The health of healthcare, part V: Is the very freedom of providers at risk? The Journal of Medical Practice Management: MPM, 29, (6), 366-368.

Reprinted by permission of Greenbranch Publishing via the Copyright Clearance Center.

This article discusses how U. S health providers lose their fiduciary responsibility to patients when compliant with the Affordable Health Care Act.
Studer, Q. (2010). Do your nurses speak finance? Health care Financial Management, 64(6), 80-84.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article discusses the importance of nurses understanding finance in a health care organization. The article stresses the importance of teaching clinicians the skills necessary to understand and make a difference in the current financial system of health care.
King, M. (2012). Health reform: Special report. Health reform turns two: After passage of the Affordable Care Act, the work-and the criticisms-persist. State Legislatures, 38(3), 12-17.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article discusses the Affordable Care Act and details changes that still need to be implemented. The article also examines how the legislation has altered the way state legislatures handle health care in the United States.
Harris, J. L., & Ott, K. (2008). Building the business case for the clinical nurse leader role. NurseLeader, 9(1), 28-31.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article stresses the need for nurses and physicians to "take the lead" in teaming up with business and financial leaders in their organizations to make improvements. The author describes the benefits both business and financial leaders will reap from their enhanced relationship.
White, K. (2011). Back to basics: The challenges of a nurse executive. Nurse Leader, 9(2), 27-30.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article discusses the challenges faced by nursing executives in a difficult economic climate. Between budgets, technology, and quality controls, the author discusses the need for a focus back on the basics of nursing in order to produce quality health care and successful financial budgeting.
Alliance for Health Reform. (2012). Quality of care. In Covering health issues (6th ed.). Washington DC: Author. Retrieved from http://www.allhealth.org/sourcebooktoc.asp?SBID=5

This chapter examines the flaws of the American health care system. The author describes the various consequences of mistakes and how addressing the issues will improve the quality of health care.
Alliance for Health Reform (2012). Cost drivers in health care. Retrieved from http://www.allhealth.org/publications/Cost_of_health_care/Cost_Drivers_in_Health_Care_109.pdf

This article describes factors that drive up costs in health care. The article categorizes the various factors and underscores the importance of their interactions.
Optional Resources
Alliance for Health Reform. (2012). What are some smarter ways to pay for health care? [Video]. Available from http://www.allhealth.org/pubs_videos.asp?vid=12 (Video)

In this video, Karen Davis, president of The Commonwealth Fund, discusses the future issues that health care organizations will face in trying to reduce costs while still providing quality care. She suggests that comparative effectiveness research should be undertaken to determine best financial practices.