Healthcare Gap

Overview The focus of this module was on quality care. For your final project, you will research a healthcare gap in access to care that focuses on quality, equity, or efficiency. You will be focusing on: Existing initiatives in place to address the gap The economic and regulatory factors that are currently in place to address the gap Background research into the gap and the impacted population A healthcare delivery process gap is defined as the gap in care between what is provided to patients and the recommended best practices in healthcare. Prompt In Module Two you completed an annotated bibliography based on a selected healthcare delivery process gap and population affected from the list below. This will be the focus of your final project, the 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 the rising cost of pharmaceuticals for the aging population In your paper, you will explain why the chosen topic is a gap in healthcare and analyze the specific population impacted by the issue. The work you do in this milestone will serve as the introduction to your final project. Specifically, you should address the following: Introduction Describe a specific gap in the delivery of healthcare. Include the specific population affected by the gap. Briefly describe the history of this gap in access to healthcare. Explain the impact that the socioeconomic background of the population has on their access to healthcare. Describe how the healthcare delivered to the population is affected by the gap in access to quality, equity, or efficiency of care. Predict any potential implications if this gap in access is not addressed. What to Submit Use the Milestone One Template to complete this assignment. Your paper must be submitted as a 2- to 3-page Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins, and include at least three sources cited in APA format.

Sample Solution

Milestone One: Introduction to Final Project

Gap in Healthcare Delivery: Care Coordination for Chronically Ill Patients

This paper explores a critical gap in healthcare delivery: the lack of effective care coordination for individuals with chronic illnesses. This gap significantly impacts a vast and growing population, disproportionately affecting those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Gap: Fragmented Care and Missed Opportunities

The healthcare system for chronic illnesses often suffers from fragmentation. Patients may see multiple specialists, receive conflicting treatment plans, and struggle to navigate the complex web of appointments, medications, and self-management techniques. This lack of coordinated care leads to missed opportunities for early intervention, medication adherence issues, and ultimately, poorer health outcomes.

History of the Gap:

The rise of chronic illnesses and the siloed nature of healthcare specialties have contributed to this gap. Traditionally, healthcare focused on episodic care, treating each illness independently. However, chronic conditions require a more holistic approach, necessitating coordinated care across different disciplines. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer has further highlighted the limitations of the fragmented system.

Socioeconomic Disparities:

Lower socioeconomic backgrounds exacerbate the impact of this gap. Individuals with limited resources might face challenges with transportation, struggle to afford specialists or medications, and lack access to health insurance navigators who can help them navigate the complex healthcare system. These factors contribute to poorer health outcomes and widen the health disparities between socioeconomic classes.

Impact on Healthcare Delivery:

The lack of care coordination creates inefficiencies within the healthcare system. Patients with chronic illnesses often utilize emergency rooms and urgent care services more frequently due to poorly managed conditions. Additionally, medication non-adherence increases treatment costs and hospital readmission rates.

Full Answer Section

Potential Implications of Unresolved Gap:

If this gap remains unaddressed, the consequences will be substantial. The prevalence of chronic illnesses is projected to rise, further straining the healthcare system. Uncoordinated care can lead to preventable complications, poorer quality of life for patients, and increased healthcare costs.

Conclusion:

Ensuring effective care coordination for individuals with chronic illnesses is crucial. The following sections of this paper will explore existing initiatives to address this gap, analyze the economic and regulatory factors influencing it, and propose potential solutions for a more efficient and equitable healthcare system.

Sources:

American Heart Association. (2023, February 21). Chronic Diseases. https://www.heart.org/
National Council on Aging. (2023, January 11). Chronic Conditions Among Older Adults. https://www.ncoa.org/older-adults/health/physical-health/chronic-disease
The Commonwealth Fund. (2020, October). Minding the Gap: Factors Associated With Primary Care Coordination of Adults in 11 Countries. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28289109/

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