HCM 340 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The 2000 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report To Err is Human was a call to arms for the U.S. healthcare delivery system. It emphasized the need to explore the
processes, structure, and outcomes related to the quality of care provided to individuals in our society. For your final project, you will research a gap in access to
quality, equity, or efficiency of care (including existing initiatives in place to address the gap and economic and regulatory factors that are currently in place to
address the gap).
Access to care includes access to health insurance coverage, access to services and providers, and timeliness of the care received. All three of these components
impact quality of care. Access can also include affordability. The quality of the care people receive in the healthcare system should not vary based upon their
socioeconomic status.
For your final project, you will select a healthcare delivery process gap and the population affected from the list below. Then, you will develop a healthcare
delivery systems research paper.
•
•
•
Option One: A gap in quality related to care coordination for individuals with chronic illnesses
Option Two: A gap in equity related to mental health access for veterans
Option Three: A gap in efficiency related to rising cost of pharmaceuticals for the aging population
This assessment addresses the following course outcomes:
•
•
•
•
Draw connections between current healthcare delivery systems and the context in which they were developed
Describe the impact of economic and regulatory drivers on healthcare delivery systems
Identify major gaps in access to healthcare for determining areas of opportunity for improved access to quality healthcare
Explain initiatives targeted at maintaining or improving the health status of specific populations
Prompt
After choosing the topic for your course project from the options provided in the overview, you will work to develop your healthcare delivery systems research
paper. Within the final research project you will address your chosen gap in access, including existing initiatives in place to address the gap, and economic and
regulatory factors that are currently in place to address the gap.
1
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
Introduction
A. Describe a specific gap in the delivery of healthcare. Include the specific population affected by the gap.
B. Briefly describe the history of this gap in access to healthcare. Has this been an issue historically, or is it a modern issue?
C. Explain the impact that the socioeconomic background of the population has on their access to healthcare.
D. Describe how the healthcare delivered to the population is affected by the gap in access.
E. Predict any potential implications if this gap in access is not addressed.
II.
Existing Initiatives
A. Explain an existing healthcare initiative that was put in place to address this gap in access.
B. Explain the specific goals of the existing initiative in place to address this gap in access.
C. Describe the circumstances around the development of the existing initiative. Consider when it was developed and what factors were
considered.
D. Describe the resources required to fund the existing initiative.
E. Explain why the existing initiative is not meeting its intended purpose and now requires improvement.
III.
Regulation
A. Explain a current regulation regarding the existing initiative that has been identified and the context in which it was developed. Why is this
regulation important?
B. Describe the regulatory level that the existing initiative is being addressed at. Consider the potential for multiple levels of regulation.
IV.
Conclusion: Explain the effectiveness of the existing initiative and associated regulations in addressing this gap in the delivery of healthcare to the target
population. Does the initiative align with initiative in place to support other gaps? Are there conflicting interests to be aware of?
I.
Milestones
Milestone One: Topic Selection
In Module Three, you will submit a 2- to 3-page paper explaining why the topic you chose is a gap in healthcare and analyze the specific population impacted by
the issue. This assignment will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.
Milestone Two: Existing Initiatives
In Module Five, you will submit a 2- to 3-page paper in which you will identify and analyze an initiative that addresses the gap you chose as the topic for your
final project. This assignment will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric.
2
Final Submission: Healthcare Delivery Systems Research Paper
In Module Seven, you will submit your final project. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final project. It should
reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project Rubric.
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your healthcare delivery systems research paper should be 5 to 8 pages. It should be double-spaced, include one-inch margins, use
12-point Times New Roman font, and adhere to the latest edition of APA formatting.
Critical Elements
Introduction: Gap
Exemplary (100%)
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates keen
insight into the healthcare
delivery processes
Proficient (85%)
Describes a specific gap in the
delivery of healthcare, including
the specific population affected
by the gap
Introduction: History
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates a
nuanced understanding of the
premise of the gap
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
the explanation demonstrates a
sophisticated awareness of the
relationship between
socioeconomic status and
access to healthcare
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates a
nuanced understanding of the
healthcare delivery processes as
they relate to consumer access
Briefly describes the history of
this gap in access to healthcare
Introduction:
Socioeconomic
Background
Introduction: Affect
Explains the impact
socioeconomic background has
on a population’s access to
healthcare
Describes how the healthcare
delivered to the population is
affected by the gap in access
3
Needs Improvement (55%)
Describes a specific gap in the
delivery of healthcare, including
the specific population affected
by the gap, but the description
is cursory or contains
inaccuracies
Describes the history of this gap
in access to healthcare, but
description is verbose or
contains inaccuracies
Explains the impact
socioeconomic background has
on a population’s access to
healthcare, but explanation is
cursory or illogical
Describes how the healthcare
delivered to the population is
affected by the gap in access,
but description cursory or
contains inaccuracies
Not Evident (0%)
Does not describe a specific gap
in the delivery of healthcare to
a specific population
Value
7.9
Does not describe the history of
this gap in access to healthcare
7.9
Does not explain the impact
socioeconomic background has
on a population’s access to
healthcare
7.9
Does not describe how the
healthcare delivered to the
population is affected by the
gap in access
7.9
Introduction:
Implications
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
predictions demonstrate a
sophisticated awareness of the
interrelationship between
healthcare access and other
variables
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
explanation demonstrates keen
insight into the needs for
addressing the gap
Predicts any potential
implications if this gap in access
is not addressed
Predicts any potential
implications if this gap in access
is not addressed, but
predictions are unrealistic or
unrelated
Does not predict any potential
implications if this gap in access
is not addressed
7.9
Explains an existing healthcare
initiative that was put in place
to address this gap in access
Does not explain an existing
healthcare initiative that was
put in place to address this gap
in access
7.9
Existing Initiatives:
Goals
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
explanation demonstrates a
nuanced understanding of the
purpose of the existing initiative
Explains the specific goals of the
existing initiative in place to
address this gap in access
Does not explain the specific
goals of the existing initiative in
place to address this gap in
access
7.9
Existing Initiatives:
Development
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates a
sophisticated awareness of the
elements involved in the
development of initiatives
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates a
complex grasp of the funding
requirements of healthcare
delivery initiatives
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
explanation demonstrates keen
insight into the needs of the
initiative and its shortcomings
Describes the circumstances
around the development of the
existing initiative
Explains an existing healthcare
initiative that was put in place
to address this gap in access,
but explanation is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
Explains the specific goals of the
existing initiative in place to
address this gap in access, but
explanation is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
Describes the circumstances
around the development of the
existing initiative, but
description is unclear or
incomplete
Describes the resources
required to fund the existing
initiative, but description is
illogical or contains inaccuracies
Does not describe the
circumstances around the
development of the existing
initiative
7.9
Does not describe the resources
required to fund the existing
initiative
7.9
Does not explain why the
existing initiative is not meeting
its intended purpose and now
requires improvement
7.9
Existing Initiatives:
Address Gap
Existing Initiatives:
Resources
Existing Initiatives:
Improvement
Describes the resources
required to fund the existing
initiative
Explains why the existing
initiative is not meeting its
intended purpose and now
requires improvement
4
Explains why the existing
initiative is not meeting its
intended purpose and now
requires improvement, but
explanation is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
Regulation: Current
Regulation
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
explanation demonstrates a
sophisticated awareness of how
context influences the
development of regulations
Explains a current regulation
regarding the existing initiatives
that have been identified and
the context in which it was
developed
Regulation:
Regulatory Level
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
description demonstrates a
nuanced understanding of
regulatory control levels
Describes the regulatory level at
which the existing initiatives are
being addressed
Conclusion
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
explanation demonstrates a
complex grasp of the
relationship between individual
initiatives and the healthcare
system
Explains the effectiveness of the
existing initiative and associated
regulations in addressing this
gap in the delivery of healthcare
to the target population
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented in
a professional and easy to read
format
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
Explains a current regulation
regarding the existing initiatives
that have been identified and
the context in which it was
developed, but explanation is
cursory or contains inaccuracies
Describes the regulatory level at
which the existing initiatives are
being addressed, but
description is cursory or
unrelated
Explains the effectiveness of the
existing initiative and associated
regulations in addressing this
gap in the delivery of healthcare
to the target population, but
explanation is cursory or
unrelated to the overall
healthcare system
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main ideas
Does not explain a current
regulation regarding the existing
initiatives that have been
identified and the context in
which it was developed
7.9
Does not describe the
regulatory level at which that
the existing initiatives are being
addressed
7.9
Does not explain the role of this
gap in the delivery of healthcare
to the population or the
initiative in place to address this
gap
2.6
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas
2.6
Total
5
100%
Running Head: FINAL PROJECT MILESTONE ONE
3-2 Final Project Milestone One
Tracy McNeill
HCM 340-R1747 Healthcare Delivery Systems
South New Hampshire University
1
FINAL PROJECT MILESTONE ONE
2
Table of Contents
Final Project Milestone One: Topic Selection .............................................................................................. 3
Gap ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
History .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Socioeconomic background .......................................................................................................................... 4
Affect ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
Implications................................................................................................................................................... 5
References ..................................................................................................................................................... 6
3
FINAL PROJECT MILESTONE ONE
Final Project Milestone One: Topic Selection
Gap
In the country today, the development of a reliable healthcare system has been a
significant issue of concern. There are various weaknesses which the current system exhibits as
far as the delivery of care is concerned. These weaknesses have affected the abilities of the
current system to offer the desired levels of care to the entire population. This project looks at the
existing disparities in care provision to veterans. Mental health issues continue to rise in the
country with veterans recording among the highest incidents. Post-traumatic disorders continue
to increase, affecting the majority of the veterans. In this context, veterans continue to face a
challenge when it comes to receiving the desired levels of care as far as mental health
interventions are concerned. In recent years, at least 4 million veterans have reported incidents
which relate to mental health challenges obtained from their duration in the service. The lack of
sufficient resources for dealing with the associated conditions such as post-traumatic disorders
continue to reduce the effectiveness of the current healthcare systems to deliver quality care and
services to veterans.
History
Venetians have been engaged in various wars and combat encounters in history. For
instance, the United States had sent soldiers to combat in areas such as Iraq and Afghanistan.
With these wars being among the long-standing encounters and tensions, a lot of soldiers were
exposed to long combat. Majority of the soldiers who were posted in such areas have reported
incidents such as PTSD and other mental challenges since their retirement from service. Most of
these people have challenges coping with the past incidents and encounters which they faced
during combat. In 2016, at least 1.5 million veterans in the country visited the respective care
4
FINAL PROJECT MILESTONE ONE
facilities to seek mental health attention and assistance. This figure shows a rise of about 31% of
the value reported in 2004 as far as mental health challenges for veterans are concerned
(Fishbain, Pulikal, Lewis & Gao, 2017). While the country has been developing hospitals to
provide the desired levels of care to the populations, the existing systems do not bridge the gap
created by veterans and mental health. Majority of the current veteran affairs hospitals and the
civilian care facilities have been overwhelmed by the rising cases of mental health from veterans
(Cogan, Cervelli, Dillahunt-Aspillaga & Rossiter, 2018).
Socioeconomic background
Veterans usually face diverse challenges when reconnecting with their communities and
families. The social ties between the veterans and the community are limited based on the
differences in operating environments. On the same note, veterans may report challenges when it
comes to maintaining relationships within their families and communities. Seeking employment
elsewhere is a challenge for many veterans. This conclusion is based on the concept of age. Most
of the veterans are retired war heroes who may in the process find it hard to secure employment.
On the same note, the general perceptions of the potential employers against veterans have
continued to affect their abilities to seek a successful career. For instance, most employers look
at factors such as age, gender, education and experience when employing a candidate. Most
veterans have experience in combat as opposed to the general workplace tasks.
Affect
Limited provision of specialized care to veterans has continued to affect the abilities to
reduce the gap in mental health outcomes. For instance, veterans continue to report insufficient
attention and lack of sufficient services when it comes to receiving mental health assistance. The
5
FINAL PROJECT MILESTONE ONE
inability of the current systems to adjust to meet the needs of veterans has made it hard to bridge
the existing gaps.
Implications
If the current gap is not addressed, the country will continue to report a rise in cases of
mental health affecting veterans. On the same note, the current healthcare providers will continue
to be overwhelmed with mental health cases and incidents, which in turn will create a crisis in
care delivery. Therefore, the country needs to implement the right measures which will promote
efficiency in care delivery addressing the current gaps in veteran mental health (DeVoe et al.
2017).
6
FINAL PROJECT MILESTONE ONE
References
Cogan, A., Cervelli, L., Dillahunt-Aspillaga, T., & Rossiter, A. G. (2018). Treating military
service members and veterans in the private sector: Information and resources for
clinicians. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 99(12), 2659-2661.
DeVoe, E. R., Paris, R., Emmert-Aronson, B., Ross, A., & Acker, M. (2017). A randomized
clinical trial of a postdeployment parenting intervention for service members and their
families with very young children. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice,
and Policy, 9(S1), 25.
Fishbain, D. A., Pulikal, A., Lewis, J. E., & Gao, J. (2017). Chronic pain types differ in their
reported prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and there is consistent
evidence that chronic pain is associated with PTSD: an evidence-based structured
systematic review. Pain medicine, 18(4), 711-735.
Running head: THE MENTAL HEALTH GAP FOR VETERANS
Milestone Two: Existing Initiative
Addressing the Mental Health Gaps for Veterans
Tracy McNeill
Southern New Hampshire University
1
THE MENTAL HEALTH GAP FOR VETERANS
2
Addressing the Mental Health Gap for Veterans
Healthcare initiatives aim to ensure that Americans access the highest quality health care
services. These initiatives purpose to eliminate health disparities and provide equal services for
US residents across the age and population divide. The ministry of health expects all
stakeholders in the health sector to commit to reducing the burden of disability, illness, and
injury, and ultimately the quality of life for all Americans. Service members, veterans, and their
families form a population segment that has received tremendous attention over the last ten
years. The Major League Baseball, alongside the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, established
the Welcome Back Veterans Initiative in 2008. The establishment allocated resources for
organizations that provided support for the mental health of veterans and their families. The
initiative has since provided grants towards academic medical institutions working towards
catering for the mental health needs of service members, veterans, and their families.
Goals of the Existing Initiative
The Welcome Back Veterans (WBV) initiative aimed to provide treatment opportunities,
thus improving the quality of life for service members, veterans, and their families. Since its
establishment, the WBV program has provided grants worth about $30 million (Tanielian, Batka,
& Meredith, 2017). The initiative also availed training opportunities for mental health service
providers, thus enhancing competence. The WBV initiative also aimed to create awareness
about mental health and promote the need to seek help from service providers. Mental issues
have been associated with trauma for far too long, and the WBV looked forward to de-
THE MENTAL HEALTH GAP FOR VETERANS
3
stigmatizing the issue enabling veterans to seek help (Tanielian, Batka, & Meredith, 2018). The
program also worked towards setting up mental health safety networks through the creating of
referrals networks. These networks would help service members, veterans, and their families,
thus ensuring access to quality health care. The initiative also aimed at partnering with other
organizations, thus building capacity for mental health care.
The Development of the Initiative
The Welcome Back Veterans Initiative has successfully enhanced access to quality
mental health services for service members, veterans, and their families. Since its inception, the
WBV program has ensured that about 3600 veterans and their families access clinical mental
services, including screening, treatment, and referrals. The initiative has formed approximately
188 networks and organized about 228 training sessions, thus building a skills-base (Tanielian,
Batka, & Meredith, 2018). The program has implemented prolonged exposure and cognitive
processing therapy to treat moral injury-based- posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans. Besides,
the treatment outcomes for recovering service members and veterans have improved
significantly over the years (Tanielian, Batka, & Meredith, 2017). There is, however, a need for
improvement of services to incorporate arising issues such as the novel requirements for grants
and partnerships.
Resources for the WVB Initiative
The Welcome Back Veterans initiative is a program primarily sponsored by Major
League Basketball and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation (Tanielian, Batka, & Meredith,
2018). The founding partners provide resources for the primary goals of the initiative. The
program also benefits from establishing partnerships with other organizations interested in
changing the mental health state for service members and veterans. These partnerships have
THE MENTAL HEALTH GAP FOR VETERANS
4
enabled the setting up of mental health centers, including the Duke University Center. Various
applications and platforms are also available for veterans battling suicide and addictions. These
resources have materialized telepathy in providing mental healthcare services for service
members and veterans in need of remote and/or urgent services.
Conclusion
Service members and veterans stand a higher risk of suffering from mental health issues
during their transition from service to home. Some of the conditions they are susceptible to
include depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicide, and addiction to drugs and substances.
Major League Basketball and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation came together to establish
an initiative that would work towards enhancing the accessibility of mental healthcare for
veterans in 2008 (Tanielian, Batka, & Meredith, 2018). The Welcome Back Veterans initiative
has since provided about $30 million worth in grants for organizations working towards mental
health awareness, service provision, and personnel training. The initiative has been able to
improve cognitive healthcare accessibility. However, a lot has to be done towards the
improvement of services to suit arising issues such as the availability of grants and partnerships.
References
Tanielian, T., Batka, C., & Meredith, L. S. (2018). Bridging gaps in mental health care:
lessons learned from the welcome back veterans initiative. Rand health quarterly, 7(4).
Tanielian, T., Batka, C., & Meredith, L. S. (2017). The changing landscape for Veterans'
mental health care.
Purchase answer to see full
attachment