Global Perspective in Nursing Practice

Topic: Nursing
Words: 941 Pages: 3
Global Healthcare Issue Health inequality.
Description Health inequality refers to the disparities between groups of people in the healthcare sector. Access to healthcare differs depending on various factors of an individual, such as income levels, gender, education, ethnicity and disability (Malbon et al., 2019).
Country United States Australia
Describe the policy in each country related to the identified healthcare issue Adoption of Medicaid Expansion.
This policy stipulates that each state should encourage its uninsured member to enroll in Medicaid. Medicaid is a government insurance policy that covers people of low income and elderly members.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
This is a policy introduced by the Australian government to ensure equality in healthcare. In this scheme, the government subsidized some expensive medicines for the people, making them affordable to everyone.
What are the strengths of this policy? Medicaid has the largest patient base as it accommodates low-income earners. The program ensures that the patient copay cost is lower and affordable. Medicaid provides financial protection against medical costs (Malbon et al., 2019). This policy covers the weak and vulnerable members of society, including the elderly and pregnant mothers. Timely access to medicines by all citizens.
Ensures that only standard medicines are sold.
It has maintained a viable medicines industry.
What are the weaknesses of this policy? Not all low-income individuals benefit as each state in the USA has its qualification criteria. Beneficiaries may receive low-quality care, especially during emergencies. Some procedures, especially those considered experimental, are always denied to patients covered by Medicaid. The scheme has generally increased out-of-pocket costs.
Explain how the social determinants of health may impact the specified global health issue. Social determinants of health are the main factors contributing to the issue of health inequalities. For example, people of color have been sidelined in access to various health care services. Social determinants of health have adversely affected the issue of health equality. For instance, poor people have limited access to quality and timely healthcare.
How has each country’s government addressed cost, quality, and access to the selected global health issue? The government of the USA has laid down legislation to address the issues of cost, quality and access to health care. The affordable care act stipulates that each citizen has a right to quality and timely care. The introduction of the Obama care has managed to lower the cost of healthcare for the poor citizens. The government of Australia has ensured access to affordable and quality healthcare through the formulation and implementation of state regulations. For instance, the government primarily funds healthcare through the Medicare program.
How has the identified health policy impacted the health of the global population? The Medicaid policy has led to a general improvement in the health status of the global population. It has served as a motivator for other governments to launch health policies in their local countries to promote access to healthcare. Various healthcare stakeholders have learned the benefits associated with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. This has made them introduce similar policies in their local countries, leading to improved health status globally.
Describe the potential impact of the identified health policy on the role of nurses in each country. Medicaid has redesigned nurses’ roles, making them ambassadors of the insurance program and promoting access to healthcare. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has improved the outcomes of the nurses’ roles in providing care as access to medicines is guaranteed.
Explain how global health issues impact local healthcare organizations and policies in both countries. Global health issues such as health inequality have adversely impacted healthcare organizations’ expansion and the implementation of the formulated policies due to unfair distribution of resources (Malbon et al., 2019). Inequality in healthcare has undermined the expansion of healthcare organizations and implementation of formulated policies due to inadequate provision of resources.
General Notes/Comments Medicaid has enhanced access to timely and quality healthcare among citizens of a lower income level. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme has enhanced the general public health status by facilitating access to all medicinal drugs.

Social Change

A global perspective in nursing is defined as the cultural understanding and competence of the healthcare system and its organs. As a nurse leader, I would advocate for the incorporation of global perspectives or lens into my local practice through the provision of public education on the issue of equality. This can be achieved through establishing protocols and training programs to enlighten people on the benefits of equality (Malbon et al., 2019). I would encourage people of low income to embrace and enroll in subsidized programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.

Incorporating a global perspective or lens might impact my practice and role as a nurse leader. As a nurse, understanding and appreciating different cultures is crucial in care delivery. Incorporating a global perspective will help me better know my patients and respect their cultural beliefs and customs. Accounting for these differences will aid in establishing a good nurse-patient relationship. As a nurse leader, a global perspective will help me be productive in my management role as I can connect well with different people.

Social change is an alteration of one’s beliefs and social institutions resulting from human interactions and relationships. The healthcare sector is a diverse one consisting of people of various cultures. The incorporation of a global perspective in nursing practice is a representation of social change as it promotes good relations between individuals of different cultures and customs. A global perspective contributes to social change through people learning and adapting new beliefs from others (Malbon et al., 2019). For instance, people with customs that discourage blood transfusion can change their views after interacting with others who will educate them on the importance of blood transfusion.

References

Bambra, C., Riordan, R., Ford, J., & Matthews, F. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic and health inequalities. Journal of Epidemiol Community Health, 74(11), 964-968.

Malbon, E., Carey, G., & Meltzer, A. (2019). Personalization schemes in social care: Are they growing social and health inequalities? BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1-12.