Children, Health Policy, and Culturally Competent Care

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Explore two components of appropriate health care for pediatric patients: health policy and cultural competence. .
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1. Imagine that you are a nurse lobbyist at the legislature in your state, with a specific focus on child and teen health. The children in this state encompass a broad range of social determinants of health. You are asked to recommend state-wide health policies to improve the health of this population, along with corresponding engagement strategies to reach nurses in the state.
• What would be the first pediatric policy that you would recommend? Please provide a rationale for your selection
• How can you effectively reach nurses to encourage their action to promote the policy?
• What are one or more reasons why many nurses do not engage in lobbying efforts?
2. Describe a pediatric patient and/or their family members that you have cared for who is deemed by healthcare professionals to be ‘difficult’.
• To what extent do you think that cultural factors, e.g. beliefs, values and customs common to a group, might have been implicated in this situation?
• What are one or more barriers to culturally competent care that are specific to the nurse relationship with pediatric patients?
• List at least one strategy that a nurse can employ to overcome barrier(s) to cultural competence with pediatric patients.

Sample Solution

Policy Recommendation: My primary policy recommendation would be the expansion of Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) coverage for all children in the state, regardless of their family’s income level.

Rationale:

  • Improved Access to Care: Expanding Medicaid and CHIP would significantly increase access to preventive care, screenings, and treatment for children. This can lead to earlier detection and management of chronic conditions, improved overall health outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs in the long run.
  • Addressing Social Determinants of Health: Lack of health insurance is a social determinant of health that disproportionately affects low-income families. Expanding coverage can help address this disparity and create a more equitable healthcare system for all children.
  • Investing in the Future: Investing in children’s health is an investment in the future of the state. Healthy children are more likely to succeed in school, have higher earning potential, and contribute positively to society.

Engaging Nurses in Advocacy:

  • Educational Workshops: Organize workshops for nurses to educate them about the proposed policy, its benefits for children’s health, and its impact on nursing practice.
  • Grassroots Mobilization: Develop a system for nurses to easily contact their state legislators and express their support for the policy. This could involve online platforms, phone banking campaigns, or pre-written letters.
  • Highlight Real-Life Stories: Share stories from nurses who have treated children who lacked proper health insurance and the challenges they faced. This can personalize the issue and motivate action.
  • Partner with Nursing Associations: Collaborate with state and national nursing associations to leverage their networks and amplify the message to nurses across the state.

Barriers to Nurse Lobbying:

  • Time Constraints: Nurses often have busy work schedules and may feel they lack the time to engage in advocacy efforts.
  • Lack of Resources: Nurses may not be aware of the resources available to support them in lobbying, such as pre-written talking points or training on effective communication with legislators.
  • Fear of Retaliation: Some nurses might hesitate to get involved in political advocacy due to concerns about potential repercussions at their workplace.

By addressing these barriers and providing clear channels for engagement, we can encourage more nurses to become active advocates for policies that improve children’s health.

 

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