NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal
Student Name
Capella University
NHS-FPX 6004 Health Care Law and Policy
Prof. Name
Date
Policy Proposal
Access to healthcare services is a foundational requirement for delivering high-quality care, particularly for individuals managing chronic illnesses that demand continuous monitoring. At St. Vincent Health, internal dashboard indicators highlight persistent barriers to access, including extended appointment wait times and insufficient service availability. These challenges disproportionately affect rural and underserved populations. In response, this proposal outlines a telehealth policy designed to expand access, streamline service delivery, and improve overall patient outcomes through virtual care integration.
Need for Creating a Policy
Recent data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) indicate that 23.2% of Medicaid beneficiaries in Colorado report inconsistent or delayed access to routine healthcare services, an increase from 21.2% in 2010 (AHRQ, n.d.).
What does this increase signify?
It reflects systemic inefficiencies and inequities in healthcare access that require targeted policy intervention.
St. Vincent Health’s outpatient visit volume (9,109 in 2022) is significantly lower than both the Colorado average (126,493) and the national benchmark (151,053) (AHA, 2024).
Comparison of Outpatient Visits
| Metric | St. Vincent Health | Colorado Average | National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Visits (2022) | 9,109 | 126,493 | 151,053 |
Why is this underperformance concerning?
- It indicates reduced patient engagement with preventive and routine care
- It suggests barriers such as transportation limitations and geographic isolation
- It contributes to delayed diagnoses and worsening health conditions
Delayed access to care is associated with increased emergency department utilization and higher healthcare expenditures (Chang et al., 2021).
What are the organizational implications?
- Potential financial penalties for failing to meet quality benchmarks
- Reduced patient satisfaction scores
- Reputational risks within the healthcare market
To address these issues, St. Vincent Health must adopt a structured policy aligned with federal and state frameworks such as telehealth legislation. Expanding telehealth services can mitigate geographic constraints and improve healthcare accessibility (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021).
Summarized Proposed Policy
The proposed policy recommends the permanent integration of telehealth services within St. Vincent Health to improve access and continuity of care.
What are the core components of the policy?
- Expansion of virtual consultation services
- Clear eligibility criteria for telehealth usage
- Integration of secure and reliable digital platforms
- Alignment with reimbursement and regulatory standards
- Development of patient education resources
Key Policy Elements
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Telehealth Coverage | Permanent virtual care services |
| Eligibility Criteria | Defined patient and service requirements |
| Technology Infrastructure | Secure and user-friendly platforms |
| Billing Compliance | Alignment with legal and reimbursement policies |
| Patient Education | Training and support resources |
What factors could influence policy success?
- Regulatory changes that may restrict telehealth scope
- Limited internet connectivity in rural regions
- Variability in digital literacy among patients
- Resistance from healthcare providers due to limited training
For example, inadequate broadband access can directly hinder patient participation, reducing the effectiveness of telehealth adoption (Zobair et al., 2020). Similarly, insufficient provider training may lead to reluctance in adopting virtual care practices (Kautish et al., 2023).
Ethical, Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines
Addressing access disparities requires adherence to ethical principles and evidence-based strategies.
Which ethical principles guide this policy?
- Justice: Ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare services
- Beneficence: Delivering timely and beneficial interventions
Telehealth expansion, combined with community outreach, supports both principles by improving accessibility and reducing delays in care (Chang et al., 2021).
What strategies support ethical implementation?
- Community engagement initiatives (e.g., health fairs, workshops)
- Partnerships with local organizations
- Multilingual telehealth support services
- Standardized telehealth operating procedures
Outreach and Engagement Strategies
| Strategy | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Community Health Fairs | Increase awareness and screening |
| Educational Workshops | Improve digital literacy |
| Social Marketing | Promote telehealth adoption |
| Partnerships | Strengthen community trust |
Continuous data monitoring is essential to evaluate telehealth utilization and patient outcomes, enabling ongoing quality improvement (Kautish et al., 2023).
What outcomes are expected?
- Improved patient access and satisfaction
- Reduced healthcare disparities
- Enhanced operational efficiency
Evidence shows that addressing social determinants of health—such as transportation and income—significantly improves healthcare engagement and outcomes (Whitman et al., 2022).
Stakeholder Engagement
Successful implementation of the telehealth policy depends on active stakeholder participation.
Who are the key stakeholders?
- Healthcare providers
- Community organizations
- Local government officials
- Patients
Why is stakeholder involvement critical?
- Providers contribute clinical insights and ensure feasibility
- Community organizations enhance outreach and trust
- Government entities support policy and funding initiatives
- Patients provide feedback to improve usability and satisfaction
NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal
Stakeholder Roles
| Stakeholder Group | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Providers | Clinical expertise and service delivery |
| Community Organizations | Outreach and trust-building |
| Local Government | Policy support and resource allocation |
| Patients | User feedback and engagement |
Community organizations, in particular, play a pivotal role in connecting underserved populations with telehealth services (Schofield, 2021).
Strategies to Collaborate with Stakeholder Groups
Effective collaboration requires structured engagement mechanisms.
What strategies will be used?
- Establishment of a Stakeholder Advisory Committee
- Conducting joint workshops and training sessions
Collaboration Framework
| Strategy | Objective |
|---|---|
| Advisory Committee | Facilitate ongoing stakeholder dialogue |
| Joint Workshops | Share knowledge and gather feedback |
| Training Programs | Improve telehealth adoption |
| Feedback Mechanisms | Continuously refine services |
These strategies enhance transparency, foster trust, and improve policy acceptance (Schmidt et al., 2020).
What challenges might arise?
- Provider concerns about care quality in virtual settings
- Inequitable access to digital tools
- Resistance to technological change
How can these challenges be addressed?
- Emphasizing telehealth as a complement—not a replacement—for in-person care
- Expanding digital access initiatives
- Providing targeted training and technical support
Conclusion
Implementing permanent telehealth services at St. Vincent Health represents a strategic response to persistent access barriers. By integrating stakeholder input, addressing environmental constraints, and applying ethical, evidence-based practices, the organization can significantly enhance healthcare accessibility and equity. This policy aligns with institutional goals while promoting improved patient outcomes and community well-being.
References
AHA. (2024). St. Vincent Health. Aha.org. https://guide.prod.iam.aha.org/guide/hospitalProfile/6840760
AHRQ. (n.d.). NHQDR data tools – National healthcare quality and disparities reports (NHQDR). https://datatools.ahrq.gov/nhqdr/?tab=national&dash=282
Chang, J. E., Lai, A. Y., Gupta, A., Nguyen, A. M., Berry, C. A., & Shelley, D. R. (2021). Rapid transition to telehealth and the digital divide: Implications for primary care access and equity in a post-COVID era. The Milbank Quarterly, 99(2), 340–368. https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-0009.12509
NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal
Gajarawala, S., & Pelkowski, J. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013
Kautish, P., Siddiqui, M., Siddiqui, A., Sharma, V., & Alshibani, S. M. (2023). Technology-enabled cure and care: An application of innovation resistance theory to telemedicine apps in an emerging market context. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 192, 122558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122558
Schmidt, L., Falk, T., Siegmund-Schultze, M., & Spangenberg, J. H. (2020). The objectives of stakeholder involvement in transdisciplinary research. Ecological Economics, 176(1), 106751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2020.106751
NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal
Schofield, M. (2021). Regulatory and legislative issues on telehealth. Nutrition in Clinical Practice, 36(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/ncp.10740
Whitman, A., De Lew, N., Chappel, A., Aysola, V., Zuckerman, R., & Sommers, B. (2022). Addressing social determinants of health: Examples of successful evidence-based strategies and current federal efforts. https://www.aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/e2b650cd64cf84aae8ff0fae7474af82/SDOH-Evidence-Review.pdf
Zobair, K. M., Sanzogni, L., & Sandhu, K. (2020). Telemedicine healthcare service adoption barriers in rural Bangladesh. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 24. https://doi.org/10.3127/ajis.v24i0.2165