NURS 6050 Assignment: Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation

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NURS 6050 Assignment: Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation: Weight Loss Program Evaluation Sample Paper

Introduction

Over time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has involved different health stakeholders in evaluating health programs since evaluation enhances achieving the desired outcomes. Weight Loss Program is one of the health programs that has been subjected to several evaluations to ensure that individuals lose exercise weight.

The program focuses on human behavior, such as eating habits that can help one lose excess body weight. More than 95% of Americans have achieved their weight targets after the weight loss program has been evaluated regularly (Guan et al., 2018). In this context, the objective of this discussion is to assess weight loss program evaluation in the state of Illinois.

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Outcomes of the Program Evaluation

Evaluating the weight loss program in Illinois State has improved individuals’ health as many people have lost excess weight. There is overwhelming evidence that different health care, such as Northwestern Memorial Hospital, have recorded few cases of excessive body weight complications.

Obesity is one of the diseases associated with excess weight, and it is evident that few Illinois people have been diagnosed with the disease (Hendrie et al., 2020). Before program evaluation was carried out, hospitals in Illinois received many patients suffering from excessive weight complications. Osteoarthritis and Coronary heart attacks are some of the common diseases that affected people of Illinois before the weight loss program was initiated.  

Measures of Success

All healthcare organizations in Illinois have recorded low patient outcomes since most individuals are keen on their diet and physical exercise that generally supports health. Health records showing low patient outcomes clearly indicate that the program evaluation was successful. Also, the program was successful because the evaluation was conducted at the initial implementation stage, which is easy to make adjustments.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most health program evaluations are successful because they are conducted at the initial stages of implementation, allowing stakeholders to make necessary adjustments for the easy achievement of desired goals (Hendrie et al., 2020). With these records, it is evident that approximately 90% of the population of Illinois was reached out and informed about the program evaluation.  

Data Deployed

The program evaluation used both qualitative and quantitative data as they enhanced effectiveness. Qualitative data was the patients’ records who had suffered from overweight diseases. In contrast, the quantitative data compared the patient outcomes in different health before the evaluation and after the assessment. It is important to note that deploying both qualitative and quantitative any health-related program evaluation enhances quality outcomes since the evaluation captures all factors likely to affect the program.

Stakeholders Identified

The weight loss evaluation program involved several stakeholders from within Illinois. Healthcare providers, policymakers, patients, and funding agencies were the stakeholders. Patients and funding agencies are the most beneficiaries of this program for the following reasons: the program helped the patients understand the meals to consume to cut weight and different physical exercises that helped them lose excess weight.

For example, losing weight is of great significance to patients since it helps them avoid chronic diseases such as obesity. In other words, patients would lead a healthy life because of this program. Funding agencies are also the most beneficiaries of this program since they will make huge profits since all set goals are achieved. For instance, the health care department will likely give other programs the funding agencies to run, thus making huge profits.

Objectives of the Program

All the original intended objectives were achieved because the health of the people of Illinois improved. After people lost excess weight, healthcare organizations in Illinois recorded a low number of patients with overweight-related health complications. After program evaluation, a survey was also conducted to check whether program objectives were achieved. The survey found that less than 2% of the Illinois population was overweight (Thorning et al., 2018). This shows that most of the population is healthy, and thus, the program objectives were achieved. The program achieved all the set objectives because of the effective stakeholders and strategies that were used.

Recommendations

I would highly recommend this program to my workplace because it enhances the achievement of all desired goals. The program would be beneficial to both individuals and organizations because employees will be in a position to achieve their personal goals, and at the same time, the organization will also achieve its goals.  

Involvement in the Program

As a nurse advocate, I could be involved in the program after implementation by taking part in the survey to check the effectiveness of the program. Secondly, I could involve myself in the program by forming alternative policies integrated into pre-existing policies to achieve the desired outcomes.  

Conclusion

Illinois is one of the states that conducted weight loss program evaluations to improve the health and well-being of its residents. The program involved different stakeholders who ensured that the program achieved all its objectives. Patient outcome was used as a measure of success. The program deployed both qualitative and quantitative data for quality purposes. I would recommend this program as it enhances the achievement of both individual and organizational goals.

References

Guan, W., Thaw, A., N. Grondhuis, S., & Schaechter, A. (2018). Evaluation of a Commercial Telehealth Weight Loss and Management Program. Journal Of Nutrition & Weight Loss, 03(02). https://doi.org/10.35248/2593-9793.18.3.114

Hendrie, G., Baird, D., Brindal, E., Williams, G., Brand-Miller, J., & Muhlhausler, B. (2020). Weight loss and usage of an online commercial weight loss program delivered in an everyday context: A 5-year evaluation of the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet Online (Preprint). Journal Of Medical Internet Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/20981

Thorning, T., Fabre, O., Legrand, R., Astrup, A., & Hjorth, M. (2018). Weight loss and weight loss maintenance efficacy of a novel weight loss program: The retrospective RNPC ® cohort. Obesity Medicine, 10, 16-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2018.05.001

NURS 6050 Assignment: Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Instructions

Program/policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.

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Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources.
  • Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.
  • Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.

The Assignment: (2–3 pages)

Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:

  • Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.
  • How was the success of the program or policy measured?
  • How many people were reached by the program or policy selected?
  • How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?
  • At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?
  • What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?
  • What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?
  • What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.
  • Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?
  • Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?
  • Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation.