Identifying a Local Healthcare Economic Issue
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1
In today’s healthcare landscape, economic issues pose significant challenges that impact patient care, organizational operations, and community well-being. This assessment relates to the pressing healthcare economic issue of inadequate staffing, exploring its far-reaching effects on diverse populations and underserved communities (Veenstra & Gautun, 2020). Drawing on personal experiences, values, and empirical evidence, this report highlights the critical need to address the gap between healthcare workforce supply and demand to ensure equitable access to quality care.
Healthcare Economic Issue
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1
One prevalent healthcare economic issue is the lack of access to care in rural communities, disproportionately affecting rural populations. Data from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) reveal that approximately 57 million Americans reside in rural areas, where healthcare resources are often scarce compared to urban areas (Pourat et al., 2020). This scarcity results in limited access to primary care physicians, specialists, and essential healthcare services. Rural residents face challenges in obtaining timely medical attention, leading to delayed diagnoses, untreated conditions, and poorer health outcomes. Studies have shown that rural populations experience higher rates of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and diabetes, partly due to reduced access to preventive care and health education programs (Coughlin et al., 2019). The economic impact of this issue is substantial, as untreated illnesses contribute to increased healthcare costs in the long term and hinder economic productivity within rural communities. Therefore, addressing the disparity in healthcare access between rural and urban areas is crucial for improving rural populations’ overall health and well-being.
The Rationale for Choosing the Issue
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1
The rationale for selecting the healthcare economic issue of inadequate staffing stems from personal experiences and a commitment to improving patient care outcomes. Throughout my healthcare career, I have directly observed the detrimental effects of understaffing on patient safety and quality of care. These experiences have underscored the urgency of addressing this pervasive issue, as I’ve witnessed colleagues struggle to manage heavy workloads, leading to exhaustion, burnout, and compromised patient care. As a healthcare professional dedicated to upholding ethical standards and advocating for patient welfare, it is evident that inadequate staffing undermines the core principles of healthcare delivery.
Additionally, personal values play a significant role in selecting this issue. I firmly believe in the fundamental right of every individual to receive timely and quality healthcare services, regardless of external factors such as staffing shortages. Inadequate staffing impedes access to care, compromises patient safety, and exacerbates health disparities, particularly among vulnerable populations (Flaubert et al., 2021). Such inequities counter the principles of fairness and justice underpinning ethical healthcare practices.
The economic ramifications of inadequate staffing cannot be overlooked. Beyond its immediate impact on patient care, understaffing contributes to increased healthcare costs, organizational inefficiencies, and workforce attrition (Kelly et al., 2020). These economic burdens strain healthcare organisations and have broader implications for society, including diminished productivity and compromised public health outcomes.
Effects of Healthcare Economic Issues
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1
The healthcare economic issue of inadequate staffing has profoundly affected various facets of my work, organization, colleagues, and community, particularly impacting diverse or lower socio-economic groups. In my work, understaffing has led to heightened workloads, increased stress, and decreased morale among healthcare professionals. This strain compromises our ability to deliver quality care and contributes to burnout and job dissatisfaction, ultimately affecting our overall well-being.
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Within the organization, inadequate staffing exacerbates operational challenges, leading to inefficiencies in patient flow, longer wait times, and compromised patient outcomes. Moreover, the economic burden of addressing understaffing, such as overtime pay and recruitment costs, places additional strain on organizational resources, potentially limiting investments in other critical areas of healthcare delivery.
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1 Identifying a Local Health Care Economic Issue
Colleagues, especially those from diverse or lower socio-economic backgrounds, are disproportionately affected by inadequate staffing. They may face barriers to accessing necessary resources and support systems, exacerbating feelings of stress and job dissatisfaction (Ersoy et al., 2023). Additionally, healthcare disparities often manifest more prominently among lower socio-economic groups, as they may already face limited access to healthcare services and resources.
FPX-6008 Identifying a Local Health Care Economic Issue
In the community, inadequate staffing contributes to disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, with diverse or lower socio-economic groups bearing a disproportionate burden. Limited access to healthcare professionals and services can result in delayed diagnoses, untreated conditions, and poorer health outcomes among these populations (Ratnapradipa et al., 2023). Consequently, healthcare disparities widen, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
Gap to Address the Issue
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1
The identified gap contributing to the need to address the economic issue of inadequate staffing in healthcare is the misalignment between healthcare workforce supply and demand. This gap is exacerbated by various factors, including workforce shortages, insufficient educational opportunities, and attrition due to burnout. A study published in the Journal of Nursing Management conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between registered nurse (RN) staffing levels and patient outcomes (Dall’Ora et al., 2022). The findings revealed a significant gap between optimal and actual staffing levels in healthcare settings, indicating a critical need for intervention.
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1 Identifying a Local Health Care Economic Issue
Regulatory barriers to workforce mobility and inequitable distribution of healthcare resources further widen this gap, particularly affecting underserved and rural communities. Public health data from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) highlight disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among rural populations, where workforce shortages are particularly acute (Coombs et al., 2022). These data underscore the urgent need to address the gap between workforce supply and demand to ensure equitable access to healthcare services and improve patient outcomes (HRSA, n.d.).
FPX-6008 Identifying a Local Health Care Economic Issue
Inadequate staffing perpetuates a cycle of workforce attrition, as healthcare professionals experience high burnout and job dissatisfaction due to heavy workloads and insufficient support systems (Dall’Ora et al., 2020). This attrition exacerbates staffing shortages, creating a vicious cycle that compromises patient care quality and organizational performance. Addressing this gap requires comprehensive strategies, including investments in workforce development, policy reforms to enhance recruitment and retention, and equitable distribution of healthcare resources to underserved areas.
Conclusion
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1
Addressing the economic issue of inadequate staffing in healthcare requires a concerted effort to bridge the gap between workforce supply and demand. By investing in workforce development, implementing policy reforms, and promoting equitable distribution of resources, healthcare organizations can enhance patient care quality, improve organizational performance, and mitigate disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. Through collaborative action and strategic interventions, we can strive towards a healthcare system prioritising equity, efficiency, and patient-centred care for all.
References
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1
Coombs, N. C., Campbell, D. G., & Caringi, J. (2022). A qualitative study of rural healthcare providers’ views of social, cultural, and programmatic barriers to healthcare access. BMC(BioMed Central ) Health Services Research, 22(1), 67–98.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07829-2
Coughlin, S. S., Clary, C., Johnson, J. A., Berman, A., Heboyan, V., Benevides, T., Moore, J., & George, V. (2019). Continuing challenges in rural health in the united states. Journal of Environment and Health Sciences, 5(2), 90–92.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7043306/
Dall’Ora, C., Ball, J., Reinius, M., & Griffiths, P. (2020). Burnout in nursing: A theoretical review. Human Resources for Health, 18(1), 1–17.
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1 Capella University
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-020-00469-9
Dall’Ora, C., Saville, C., Rubbo, B., Turner, L., Jones, J., & Griffiths, P. (2022). Nurse staffing levels and patient outcomes: A systematic review of longitudinal studies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 134(3).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2022.104311
Ersoy, A., Mahmood, Z., Sharif, S., Ersoy, N., & Ehtiyar, R. (2023). Exploring the associations between social support, perceived uncertainty, job stress, and emotional exhaustion during the COVID-19 crisis. Sustainability, 15(3), 2150.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032150
Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). Supporting the health and professional well-being of nurses. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573902/
Kelly, L. A., Gee, P. M., & Butler, R. J. (2020). Impact of nurse burnout on organizational and position turnover. Nursing Outlook, 69(1), 96–102.
NURS FPX 6008 Assessment 1 Capella University
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.06.008
Pourat, N., Chen, X., Lu, C., Zhou, W., Hoang, H., & Sripipatana, A. (2020). Assessing clinical quality performance and staffing capacity differences between urban and rural health resources and services administration-funded health centers in the united states: A cross sectional study. PLOS ONE, 15(12), e0242844.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242844
Ratnapradipa, K. L., Jadhav, S., Kabayundo, J., Wang, H., & Smith, L. C. (2023). Factors associated with delaying medical care: Cross-sectional study of nebraska adults. BMC (BioMed Central ) Health Services Research, 23(1).
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09140-0
Veenstra, M., & Gautun, H. (2020). Nurses’ assessments of staffing adequacy in care services for older patients following hospital discharge. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(2), 805–818.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14636