There are a number of important issues that are emerging in healthcare. You can choose an issue you want to explore in-depth including why this issue has become important, the key components of the issue, how stakeholder groups are affected, and what solutions have been attempted or proposed. Examples of topics might include electronic medical record systems, the evolution of medical homes, multi-specialty group practices, or treatment of a specific condition like diabetes or cancer. Please do not choose the Affordable Care Act as your topic.
Identify the Health Care Needs of a Specific Population
If you have a specific population that is of interest to you, you might consider this as the focus of your paper. If so, your exploration would include the demographics of this population and any specific cultural practices or beliefs that might impact members’ experiences in healthcare. Also consider the issues members of this group are currently experiencing in the healthcare system, associated challenges, and any current or proposed solutions you are aware of for better serving this population. Examples of populations might include individuals living in a rural setting, immigrants, African-Americans or Latinx, LGBT individuals, the elderly, or individuals living with a specific chronic condition like diabetes.
Create a Healthcare App
You can also choose to get really creative and develop a concept for a health care-related app. You don’t need to be a techie to do this. The approach to take is, based on your evidence-based research, propose an idea to solve a specific health care need. In your paper, you will discuss why this app is needed, the key functionality, and what population would benefit most with examples of how they would use it. Your app needs to be directly related to a health care issue, such as electronic medical record systems, multi-specialty offices, or to the needs of a specific population.
- Final Project: White Paper OverviewDownload Final Project: White Paper Overview
- All Final Project: White Paper assignments combined are worth 65% of your overall course grade.
- For M1.5 you will share your topic idea or ideas with your instructor. Treat this assignment as not only a topic submission but as a sort of “getting to know you” with your instructor. The more information you can provide about your vision for the white paper topic, the more meaningful the feedback on your topic will be.Your submission should include:
- Your degree program (MHS or MHCA)
- Which option you are choosing (1, 2, or 3)
- Your topic idea (or ideas if you are considering more than one)
- Your rationale for the topic – what exactly is the problem and who is it impacting?
- Any questions you have in getting started
- And should be approximately one half to one page. Because this is a conversation between you and me, double spacing and APA formatted resources are not required; simply share your ideas and what you want to do. I will help you to narrow the focus and will likely provide you with questions to consider.