Describe any specific competing needs that may impact the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected. What are the impacts, and how might policy address these competing needs? Be specific and provide examples.

Describe any specific competing needs that may impact the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected. What are the impacts, and how might policy address these competing needs? Be specific and provide examples.

The World Health Organization [WHO], n.da) recommends fair access to quality health care for all, in addition to addressing determinants of health. There are competing needs that would and do impact the development of such policies. For example, who would/will cover the cost of medical care for those who cannot afford healthcare? Would it be government-backed, public will, or basic financing Zieff, Zahary, Moore, and Stoner (2020). More staff would be needed and a significant increase in medical facilities would be merited due to current-day accessibility and availability deficits. Also, more medical supplies and equipment (resources) would be required to implement such care as well as the restructuring and writing of the facility and hospital policies for care for all. The population would then be all patients – those with many unknown comorbidities and providers and nurses would be expected to care for and treat in an already staff deficit workforce where patients’ safety and wellness is in jeopardy and staff error and burnout are riding a fine line. A known concept with care for all is too many patients and not enough providers so long waits occur or people just leave or don’t attend due to the long waits Korownyk et al. (2017).  Policies would need to be implemented regarding order to see patients in and staffing ratios. Quality of care would also be a high competing need depending on the level and depth of staff training, and time.

Presently, for the VA to make an impact on improving health care equity it is critical that they better understand and address the

Discussion Organizational Policies and Practices to Support Healthcare Issues

underlying issues of poor health. Inquiring about social health in a caring, empathetic dialogue and providing patients with resources – be it advice, referring to a group in the community or internal and being a steadfast resource for them as they journey on this new road of knowledge will open a door of opportunity for both the patient and provider WHO (n.db). The competing need is going to be time – will there be ample time and enough providers to see the patient and fulfill this evidence-based care, does the facility have enough staff to allow the time it takes to complete this and follow up Andermann, A., & CLEAR Collaboration (2016)? The impact this can make is large for more patients will become compliant with available resources and credible advice. For example, Fernandez-Lazaro et al., (2019) inform that almost half of the patients who don’t have health insurance that is seen and prescribed a long-term therapy are non-compliant making them sicker.  This can be supported from the top of management down within organizational policy and enforced in the electronic chart for initial and on-going assessment of patient and part of a provider’s dictation regardless of the unit patient is presenting to urgent-care, short-term care, mental health, women’s health, rehab, or long-term care.