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.