NURS 8310 Week 11 Using an Epidemiologic Approach to Critically Analyze Opioid Crisis

NURS 8310 Week 11 Using an Epidemiologic Approach to Critically Analyze Opioid Crisis

Using an Epidemiologic Approach to Critically Analyze Opioid Crisis

Epidemiological approaches are key in analyzing population health problems. Population health problems have been one of the factors that increase disparities in healthcare provision in the U.S. across all ages. Such problems adversely affect various people, leading to the need to develop more effective and robust interventions that can duly address them (Hossain et al., 2020). A notable success has been found in this regard through the use of research evidence. Therefore, the aim of this assignment is to develop a write-up detailing a selected problem, including the environment and a summary of the selected population health problem in terms of person, place, and time. Besides, this paper will further explore the research methods that can be used in assessing and addressing the population health problem, the intervention that can be implemented, the impact of the health outcome, and the evaluation plan based on the health outcome.

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The chosen Problem

Population health problems impact individuals and populations negatively. Therefore, prescription drug overdose and especially opioid crisis have been identified as the problem of focus. In the USA alone, drug overdose as a population health issue has led to more than 750,000 deaths in the last two decades. It is worth noting that over sixty-five percent of such mortality cases are due to opioids. While the problem is prominent these days, it commenced in the last century when pharmaceutical companies had assurances that the opioid pain killers would not lead to addictions, hence giving the firms a chance to start prescibing the drugs (Nam et al., 2018). Consequently, there was a constant rise in the prescription of opioids, which resulted in individuals misusing both the prescribed and the non-prescribed drugs. However, studies following this duration showed a high possibility of opioids being addictive (Nam et al., 2018). As such, opioid addiction and overuse were declared as a public health emergency.

In the year 2019, over 70,000 deaths occurred due to drug overdose, with the rates increasing by over 4% from the previous year. As earlier indicated, opioid overdose leads to most deaths among death cases due to drug overdose, with up to 73% of opioid overdose death cases resulting from synthetic opioids. Again up to 70% of the drug overdose deaths were attributed to opioid overdose. As of the year 2019, the mortality rates due to opioids were majorly among the White, non-Hispanic (72%) while Black non-Hispanic was 15%. It is also worth noting that opioid overdose and mortality rates due to opioid overdose have sharply risen in the U.S. in recent years (Monico et al., 2020)

The identified problem is majorly common among people who consume non-prescribed pain killers as their source of drug addiction. As earlier indicated, the issue has been on the rise in the last decade, and it has even worsened since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, calling for better measures to contain the situation. Research shows that the lockdown rules and other measures that restricted people’s movement in the wake of the coronavirus spread led to enhanced boredom leading to further risks of drug and substance abuse such as opioids.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2021), addiction, misuse, and overuse of synthetic substances such as fentanyl and opioids, and heroin, is a matter of concern as it affects social and public health hence negatively impacting people’s economic well-being. For example, the financial and economic impact of the opioid crisis has been estimated to be close to $80 billion annually, with the budget covering the costs needed for the people to engage with the criminal justice system, having to treat the resulting addiction, productivity losses, and the healthcare costs.

Data from the American Medical Association, 2021 indicates that deaths and overdoses resulting from drugs in on the rise and even though there have been numerous attempts to deal with the problem of a prescription drug overdose. Abusing these substances, alcohol, and drugs also results in numerous adverse destructive social aspects, which further lead to increased health disparities such as diminished productivity, financial constraints, and breaking and disruptions of family setups. In addition, the issue has also been shown to lead to child abuse, domestic violence, increased crime rates, and failure in school and education.

Due to the opioid crisis, more people get addicted, resulting in various mental illnesses that require further interventions and treatments. Besides, when individuals become addicts, they are more prone to homicide, suicide, and sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS (Liang & Shi, 2019). As such, there have been efforts from various healthcare stakeholders, the federal government, and state governments to come up with various interventions that can help address the problem.

Preliminary Research Hypothesis/Question

The preliminary research question based on the selected issue is “what is the efficacy of a psychosocial counseling program in reducing the prevalence of opioid overdose among youths and young adults?”

The Research Methods

Population health has been one major area of focus of healthcare professionals over the years. The implication is that these professionals are interested in and pay keen attention to healthcare policies that affect the determinants of health, various determinants of health, and the nature of health outcomes among various populations, ethnicities, and groups of people (Bor et al., 2017). As such, the study of population health is critical in ensuring that desired levels of patient care and healthcare delivery are targeted and achieved. Critical analysis of a population to find out the dominant public health problems is one of the ways of achieving such goals. The use of the epidemiological approach is useful as it allows the researchers and stakeholders to explore factors such as culture and environment’s role in nature of the health outcomes.

The Epidemiologic Study Design to Be Used

Epidemiologic study designs form an integral part of epidemiologic studies of selected healthcare problems. Choosing the relevant study design to be used requires that the researcher or the epidemiologist considers particular factors. Some of the factors to consider include the targeted outcome, exposure type, the ethics involved, availability of resources and time, the research question, and hypotheses. A cross-sectional study design has been chosen as the epidemiologic design to be applied in investigating the issue. Some of the reasons that make this study design more usable and relevant are that it is relatively easy and quick to use is more financially manageable as compared to others. Besides, cross-sectional studies have been shown to be more effective in generating relevant hypotheses. (LoBiondo-Wood & Haber, 2021). The design also enables an investigator to study numerous exposures or outcomes and effectively estimate disease and exposure prevalence.

Assessment Strategies

As part of the assessment, the study will involve the use of both the intervention and the control groups. The cross-sectional study will take the form of a Pre-test/post-test. From the research question, an intervention suggested is the use of psychosocial counseling. Since the individuals engaged in opioid overdose will be divided into two groups, a suitable sampling will be done before randomization (Nieswiadomy & Bailey, 2018). Non-probability sampling strategy especially snowballing, will be used as a sampling strategy.

This method is appropriate as it allows access to the potential participants through other people who can access such individuals. This method is also convenient for the researcher. Using the randomization method helps to address possible sampling problems or limitations. It is key that the help of an experienced researcher is sought to help with the process of randomization as it can be challenging to implement, especially with inadequate understanding. The study is intended to go for a period of one and a half months.

A summary of Data Collection Activities

Data collection is an integral part of the research process. Through data collection, appropriate data is obtained, which is then analyzed through various statistical methods to help in answering the research questions and addressing the hypotheses. A range of activities is targeted during the data collection process. One of such is the use of a survey. The survey is key in obtaining relevant data and can be administered to the participants, either online or by printing the survey questions. As such, the targeted survey will be used to determine the rate of opioid overdose among participants. Even though a survey can be important in giving relevant data, it should be used with caution as biased information and responses can result from individuals who decide to lie (Boswell & Cannon, 2018). As such, the patient’s data from the electronic health records can be key in validating some of the information obtained from the survey. The choice of online or printed surveys can be influenced by several factors. For example, during these times of the covid-19 pandemic, online surveys appear more feasible as they can comfortably be accomplished without physical meetings, which can lead to violation of health guidelines.

Through the use of surveys, an investigator can use numerous questions to obtain more responses from the participants. As part of the data collection methods, the patient’s electronic health records will be used as they offer more reliable information. The investigator, upon authorization, can obtain the most relevant patient data, such as hospitalization and treatment data, which can be useful as part of the study (Boswell & Cannon, 2018). A specially trained nurse informaticist will be responsible for obtaining data from the electronic health records to ensure that complete data is retrieved. Therefore, the data obtained from these records can be key in determining how effective the proposed intervention has been in lowering the incidences of opioid overdose among the selected population.

Questionnaires will also be key during the implementation of the intervention. This group of patients will be approached and vital information retrieved from them. It is important to assure the participants that the information they will be giving remains confidential and protected. The questionnaire will contain various questions focusing on information such as the participant’s social and family history, history of opioid use and overdose, some of the factors that make it difficult for them to stop opioid overdose, among other questions. Therefore, questionnaires will form a central part of the tools to be used in the project.

The Intervention

Interventions are key in addressing various clinical and public health problems. As earlier indicated and discussed, the identified problem is a serious public health problem that has resulted into various numerous unwanted results and outcomes. Some of them include increased pressure on the already limited healthcare resources, increased cases of morbidity and mortality, and ever-rising costs of healthcare and the healthcare system. Even though the original intention of these medications was good such as helping patients experiencing terminal and chronic conditions to address their pain, their addictive nature has led to various people abusing them, even those who are not having any chronic or terminal conditions. As such, it is important that effective interventions are formulated to help address the problem and reverse the numerous adverse impacts it has had on individuals and the healthcare system. According to Fischer et al., 2021, such formulated interventions need to be supported by relevant literature and evidence from the same literature.

The proposed intervention is the use of psychosocial counseling. The plan is to offer psychosocial counseling eight hours per week for the whole study duration; this implies that the sessions will run for two hours for four days per week. A special counseling staff with expertise in drug use, drug overuse, and addiction will conduct the counseling sessions. Outcomes in opioid overuse depend on various factors that need to be addressed to enhance better outcomes. Therefore, during the counseling sessions, the counselors will cover a range of issues such as health promotion, prevention of HIV, medication education, prevention of relapse, and substance abuse education. The counseling team will also delve into some of the useful strategies for lowering opioid overdose.

The intervention is critical as it can be instrumental for healthcare facilities and other stakeholders involved in the fight against opioid overdose to improve their potential of management. Proven and scientifically supported strategies are key in effectively managing the health issues that affect populations and individuals. (Strain et al., 2018). As such, policy initiatives and efforts should always align to such evidence and be integrated together for the common objective of eliminating or reducing the identified health care problem or issue. In addition, such policies should route for allowing the patients and their family members to actively participate in the process of dealing with such illnesses.

The intervention is supported by various research efforts present in the literature. For example, coffin et al., 2017 conducted a randomized controlled trial study to determine the efficacy of using a behavioral intervention to lower the rates of opioid overdose among individuals who depend on opioids. The researchers used counseling as the major tool and found out that those who attended counseling sessions were far less likely to experience an opioid overdose.

Recently, Buono et al., 2021 conducted a study to determine the impact of opioid-specific counseling on post-discharge opioid use among patients recovering from reconstructive pelvic surgery. The researchers used a multicenter randomized-controlled trial with one group randomized into opioid-specific counseling or standard generalized counseling. The opioid-specific counseling was conducted at the preoperative and fourteen days postoperative visits. During the counseling, the patients were provided with educational handouts regarding the opioid risks and other opioid-related issues, such as the recommended strategies of disposal and storage.

Upon the analysis of the data, the analysis showed no significant difference in the reduction of opioid use after discharge (Buono et al., 2021). Even though opioid-specific counseling did have a better impact on the consumption of opioids, both counseling methods led to a substantial reduction of opioid misuse and overdose. The implication of this research is that the use of counseling can be key in reducing the rates of opioid overdose.

Section 4: The Impact

It is important to evaluate the potential social and health impacts of a proposed intervention as it can be key for prior and timeous planning. Therefore, it is hoped that the proposed epidemiological approach to addressing opioid overdose among youths and young adults can result in the desired positive impacts of ensuring that the selected population is healthy and free from the issue (Friis & Sellers, 2021). The proposed intervention, as earlier indicated, is psychosocial counseling which can effectively help in addressing the opioid crises, especially during the covid-19 pandemic, which has proven to record a rise in the opioid crisis. The use of psychosocial counseling can be included as part of the policy to better help in addressing the issue. According to Le et al., 2021, policies are key in reducing the cases of the opioid crisis.

Indeed, the interventions have been key in lowering deaths connected to opioid overdoes. Such interventions have also led to better diagnosis of the condition, which eventually leads to timeous management, hence better outcomes. Using more innovative preventive strategies can be key in better management of this issue. In the end, better outcomes are expected. Another expected impact is that the psychosocial counseling sessions can also lead to peer-counselors who can have a further impact on the community. With a higher number of peer counselors in society, the fight against opioid overdose can also use prevention as a strategy. Indeed, it is known that peer counseling is effective in most cases as the potential participants can listen to their peers better.

Proper tackling of the problem implies that stakeholders must have access to relevant resources. Therefore, another potential impact of the program is that it has the potential of ensuring that governments avail the needed resources so that the stakeholders can effectively attend training and facilitate educational initiatives. Such educational initiatives can be important in educating patients and their family members, and the community at large about opioid crises and why it is key to look for better health and health outcomes (Fischer et al., 2021). The project can also impact various areas, such as the rural areas; some of the rural areas have enhanced cases of opioid overdose due to reduced access to information and other resources. Therefore, this intervention can help introduce psychosocial counseling in such areas to help increase knowledge levels about opioid crises, hence better health outcomes.

The Evaluation Plan

The opioid crisis has been a major public health problem throughout the world. In the USA alone, drug overdose as a population health issue has led to more than 750,000 deaths in the last two decades. It is worth noting that over sixty-five percent of such mortality cases are due to opioids. While the problem is prominent these days, it commenced in the last century when pharmaceutical companies had assurances that the opioid pain killers would not lead to addictions, hence giving the firms a chance to start prescibing the drugs (Nam et al., 2018, Haley & Saitz, 2020). Therefore, this section proposes an evaluation plan for the proposed intervention.

Evaluation offers valuable information concerning the effectiveness of the intervention in achieving its goals. In addition, evaluation can also assess the effectiveness of the methods that were used during the intervention to achieve the set objectives (Linsely et al., 2019). The central focus of the intervention is to reduce the incidences of opioid overdose among youths and young adults who are dependent on opioid use. Therefore, as indicated earlier, the study will take a pre-test post-test cross-sectional design format. As such, data will be collected before the intervention and after the interventions. Such data will be vital in the evaluation process.

Questionnaires are one of the tools that will be used in collecting data for evaluation. These questionnaires will be self-administered to help in determining the rate of opioid use and dependence among the selected population. Questionnaires are more attractive for research as they are easy to administer, and they lead to accurate data collection and ease in the analysis of the collected data (Linsely et al., 2019). Questionnaires have also been shown to have enhanced reliability levels and can effectively measure consistency

As earlier indicated, this project has been planned to go for one and half months. Therefore, the evaluation will take place right at the end of the project. So the outcome to be evaluated is the reduced levels of opioid overdose among the selected population. Various professionals will be involved in the evaluation phase. The leading nurse investigator will be responsible for collecting the evaluation data. The implication is that data will be collected at baseline and after the implementation of the intervention (Linsely et al., 2019).

A statistician will be hired to help in data analysis to reveal trends and the difference between the rates of an opioid overdose before and after the intervention. An independent investigator will also be brought in to help in confirming the accuracy of the collected data and eliminate any inconsistency and data errors that can lead to bias in data analysis and result interpretation. As part of the evaluation plan, the impact of the intervention will be assessed in terms of the behavioral changes observed among the participants and how the rates of opioid use vary upon the implementation of the intervention.

Conclusion

In conclusion, over the years, one of the main focuses of the healthcare sector and the healthcare stakeholders is population health. As such, the stakeholders and healthcare experts have used various means to ensure that people stay healthy. For example, at the center of such efforts has been the identification of health issues that can adversely affect the population and using various strategies to address the same. One of such problems is the opioid crisis which has drawn much attention due to the numerous negative impacts it has. Even though various interventions have been applied to address the situation, it still persists, indicating that there should be more research on potential solutions.

The problem has been shown to negatively impact communities, families, and individuals; hence interventions should focus on meeting the community, family, and individual needs in reducing the incidences of opioid overdose and its negative impacts. Existing studies and evidence suggests that these interventions are a critical part of enhancing access to information and treatment while also helping organizations to collect data to make better decisions. Therefore, this write-up has explored the use of psychosocial counseling as an intervention to reduce opioid overdose or opioid use disorder.

References

Bor, J., Cohen, G. H., & Galea, S. (2017). Population health in an era of rising income inequality: the USA, 1980–2015. The Lancet, 389(10077), 1475-1490. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(17)30571-8.

Boswell, C., & Cannon, S. (2018). Introduction to nursing research. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Buono, K., Whitcomb, E., Guaderrama, N., Lee, E., Ihara, J., Sudol, N., … & Brueseke, T. (2021). A randomized controlled trial assessing the impact of opioid-specific patient counseling on opioid consumption and disposal after reconstructive pelvic surgery. Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery, 27(3), 151-158. 10.1097/SPV.0000000000001009

Coffin, P. O., Santos, G. M., Matheson, T., Behar, E., Rowe, C., Rubin, T., … & Vittinghoff, E. (2017). Behavioral intervention to reduce opioid overdose among high-risk persons with opioid use disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial. PloS one, 12(10), e0183354. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0183354.

Fischer, B., Pang, M., & Jones, W. (2020). The opioid mortality epidemic in North America: do we understand the supply side dynamics of this unprecedented crisis? Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy, 15(1), 1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-020-0256-8

Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2021). Epidemiology for public health practice (6th ed.). Jones &Bartlett. Chapter 8, “Experimental Study Designs”.

Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) (2021). Opioid Crisis.

https://www.hrsa.gov/opioids

Hossain, M. M., Tasnim, S., Sultana, A., Faizah, F., Mazumder, H., Zou, L., … & Ma, P. (2020). Epidemiology of mental health problems in COVID-19: a review. F1000Research, 9. https://dx.doi.org/10.12688%2Ff1000research.24457.1.

Lee, B., Zhao, W., Yang, K. C., Ahn, Y. Y., & Perry, B. L. (2021). Systematic evaluation of state policy interventions targeting the U.S. opioid epidemic, 2007-2018. JAMA network open, 4(2), e2036687-e2036687. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.36687

Liang, D., & Shi, Y. (2019). Prescription drug monitoring programs and drug overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines and prescription opioids. Drug and alcohol review, 38(5), 494-502. https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.12959

LoBiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (2021). Nursing Research E-Book: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Monico, L. B., Ludwig, A., Lertch, E., Dionne, R., Fishman, M., Schwartz, R. P., & Mitchell, S. G. (2021). Opioid overdose experiences in a sample of us adolescents and young adults: a thematic analysis. Addiction, 116(4), 865-873. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.15216

Nam, Y. H., Shea, D. G., Shi, Y., & Moran, J. R. (2017). State prescription drug monitoring

programs and fatal drug overdoses. American Journal of Management Care, 23(5), 297-303. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28738683/

National Institute on Drug Abuse (2021). Opioid Overdose Crisis.

https://www.drugabuse.gov/drug-topics/opioids/opioid-overdose-crisis

Nieswiadomy, R. M., & Bailey, C. (2018). Foundations of nursing research.

Strain, E., Saxon, A. J., & Hermann, R. (2018). Opioid use disorder: Epidemiology,

pharmacology, clinical manifestations, course, screening, assessment, and diagnosis. Up-to-date, Post, T.W., editor. Up-to-date. Waltham, MA.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2021). What is the U.S. Opioid Epidemic?

https://www.hhs.gov/opioids/about-the-epidemic/index.html

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Week 11: Practical Application of Epidemiological Interventions in Settings and Populations

Most people can recall where they were and what they were doing on the morning of September 11, 2001, when terrorists flew two airplanes into the Twin Towers. One week after that attack, anthrax was sent through the U.S. Postal Service to news media offices and politicians. In addition to these human-made emergencies, notable natural disasters have also occurred: the tsunami in Japan, a large earthquake in Haiti, tornadoes throughout the central United States, wildfires in California and Texas, flooding in the Northeast, etc. Out of all these disasters, many heroic stories unfolded as cities quickly responded to the needs of the citizens. For example, the New York Visiting Nurses Association had over 1,400 patients in the lower Manhattan area affected by the September 11th terrorist attacks. Within 3 days, they had tracked down each of their patients either in shelters or in the homes of family members.

In this final week of the course, you will consider emergency preparedness and disaster management strategies, and you will evaluate how these strategies are used to cope with disasters. In doing so, you will look through the lens of the epidemiologist and consider interventions for settings and populations. Additionally, you will be asked to synthesize your learning as you explore a case study on ethics and population health. You will also consider the effect of health care reform on a selected population health issue.
Learning Objectives
Students will:

Analyze epidemiological considerations resulting from natural or human-made disasters
Apply an epidemiological methods in a community-based or clinical setting to effectively address a population’s needs
Analyze the impact of culture, ethics, regulatory, and legal issues on population health
Evaluate the effects of health care reform as it relates to a selected population health initiative

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Nash, D. B., Skoufalos, A., Fabius, R. J. & Oglesby, W. H. (2021). On the path to health equity. In Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

 

Chapter 3 addresses non-biomedical influences on health that impact health equity. This chapter is explored in four sections: (a) meaning of health equity, (b) issues of racism and discrimination, (c) cultural competency, and (d) achieving health equity. The authors ask the reader to consider how current efforts to the address social determinants of health may be applied to your workplace.

Nash, D. B., Skoufalos, A., Fabius, R. J. & Oglesby, W. H. (2021). Policy and advocacy. In Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

 

Chapter 13 discusses the role that public policy and advocacy play in promoting and adapting public health initiatives and policies. Key players at the national level are identified. A common form of advocacy, lobbying is introduced. A vignette describing a successful coalition was described.

Levin, A. B., Bernier, M. L., Riggs, B. J., Zero, S. D., Johnson, E. D., Brant, K. N., Dwyer, J. G., Potter, C. J., Pustavoitau, A., Lentz, T. A., Jr, Warren, E. H., Milstone, A. M., & Schwartz, J. M. (2020). Transforming a PICU into an adult ICU during the Coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: Meeting multiple needs. Critical Care Explorations, 2(9), e0201. https://doi-org/10.1097/CCE.0000000000000201

Sprung, C. L., Cohen, R., & Adini, B. (2010). Chapter 1. Introduction. Recommendations and standard operating procedures for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza epidemic or mass disaster. Intensive Care Medicine, 36(Supplement 1). S4-10

This reading describes the efforts put forth as a result of a task force established by the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine in December 2007. The chapter examines the purpose and development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to better address population needs during an infectious disease breakout or disaster.

Richards, G. A., & Sprung, C. L. (2010). Chapter 9. Educational process. Recommendations and standard operating procedures for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza epidemic or mass disaster. Intensive Care Medicine, 36(Supplement 1), S70–S79.

As noted in this chapter, planning and education are imperative to adequately prepare intensive care units (ICUs) and hospitals for an influenza pandemic or mass disaster. The authors provide standard operating procedures (SOPs) and recommendations.

Veenema, T. G., Deruggiero, K., Losinski, S., & Barnett, D. (2017). Hospital administration and nursing leadership in disasters. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 41(2), 151-163. doi: 10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000224.

Wu, X., Zheng, S., Huang, J., Zheng, Z., Xu, M., & Zhou, Y. (2020). Contingency nursing management in designated hospitals during COVID-19 outbreak. Annals of Global Health, 86(1), 70. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.5334/aogh.2918

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/

 

Explore the Federal Emergency Management Agency website, whose mission is to “support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.”

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Population health issues, part 1 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 6 minutes.

 

In part 1 of this week’s media, the presenters discuss how epidemiology can be utilized to improve population health.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Population health issues, part 2 [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

 

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 3 minutes.

 

In part 2, Dr. Hull discusses lessons learned from global efforts to eradicate polio.

The following document provides credit for Laureate-produced media within this course: Credits (PDF)

Discussion 1: Applied Epidemiology

On September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks created a grave disaster that included the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York. The day after 9/11, epidemiologists were asked to assess the environment around Ground Zero for potential hazards that might put those engaged in rescue and recovery at risk of harm. Beside the dust, what toxins might be in the air? Was the air quality safe or should rescue workers wear canister respirators or particle masks? What other protections might be necessary in the days following the disaster?

In this Discussion, you will look at the impact of a disaster through the lens of an epidemiologist, addressing such questions as, “What epidemiological considerations arise in the wake of a disaster? And, what makes disaster planning or emergency preparedness effective in terms of mitigating or preventing negative aftereffects?”

To prepare:

Identify a disaster that led to a population health issue. Consider this disaster through the lens of an epidemiologist, using the information presented in the Learning Resources to examine the epidemiological considerations resulting from the disaster. Conduct additional research as necessary using the Walden Library and credible websites.
Ask yourself, “What factors made the community’s and/or nation’s response effective or ineffective? What aspects of disaster planning or emergency preparedness did the community have in place that helped it cope with the disaster and resulting population health issue?”

By Day 3

Post a cohesive scholarly response that addresses the following:

Identify the disaster and resulting population health issue.
Describe the epidemiological considerations resulting from this disaster. Support your response with specific examples and evidence from the literature.
Discuss the factors that made the community’s and/or nation’s response effective or ineffective.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 5

Respond to at least two of your colleagues in one or more of the following ways:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence or research.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 11 Discussion 1 Rubric

 

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 11 Discussion 1

 

Discussion 2: Factors That Impact Population Health

In this Discussion, you bring together the concepts that have been presented throughout this course by analyzing a current population health topic from an epidemiological approach. Consider the cultural, ethical, regulatory, and legal factors that may influence your selected topic.

To prepare:

Review the case study, presented on page 288 of your course text, Population Health: Creating a Culture of Wellness. Consider the cultural, ethical, and legal factors presented in the case study and how they influence the Michigan Primary Care Transformation Project.
With these thoughts in mind, select a current public health initiative that has been discussed in the popular press or available at the CDC website or your state’s health department website.
Consider this initiative through the lens of an epidemiologist, and identify what you think are the three most important issues related to culture, ethics, regulatory, or legal aspects of the public health initiative.
Consider how current health care legislation might impact your selected public health initiative. Conduct additional research as necessary.

By Day 4

Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:

Provide a summary of your selected public health initiative, and include a reference to the article (and URL to the article, if possible).
Analyze the cultural, ethical, regulatory, and legal factors that influence your specified population health topic.
Evaluate how current health care legislation may positively or negatively impact your selected public health initiative.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.
By Day 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues in one or more of the following ways:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, evidence, or research.
Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.
Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own research in the Walden Library.
Validate an idea with your own experience and additional research.
Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.
Expand on your colleagues’ postings by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on readings and evidence.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 11 Discussion 2 Rubric

 

Post by Day 4 and Respond by Day 6

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 11 Discussion 2

 

Assignment: Final Paper: Major Assessment 7: Using an Epidemiological Approach to Critically Analyze a Population Health Problem

Throughout this course, you have been applying an epidemiological approach to analyze a population health problem. In previous weeks, you have developed distinct sections of your paper; it is now time to finalize and submit a cohesive, polished version of work. This paper serves as your Major Assessment for this course and must be uploaded by Day 3of this week.

To prepare:

Finish incorporating any feedback from the submitted sections of your paper.

To complete:

Write a 12- to 15-page paper that includes the following:

Section 1: The Problem

A brief outline of the environment you selected (i.e., home, workplace, school)
A summary of your selected population health problem in terms of person, place, and time, and the magnitude of the problem based on data from appropriate data resources (Reference the data resources you used.)
Research question/hypothesis

Section 2: Research Methods

The epidemiologic study design you would use to assess and address your population health problem
Assessment strategies (i.e., if you were conducting a case-control study, how would you select your cases and controls? Regarding the methods and tools you would use to make these selections, how is it convenient for you as the researcher or as the investigator to use this tool?)
Summary of the data collection activities (i.e., how you would collect data—online survey, paper/pen, mailing, etc.)

Section 3: The Intervention

An outline of an intervention you would implement to address the population health problem with your selected population based on the results of the study in Section 2 (Note: If you selected a descriptive study design, you are still required to outline an intervention that might be developed based on future research.)
A review of the literature that supports this intervention

Section 4: The Impact

An explanation of the health outcome you would be seeking and the social impact of solving this issue

Section 5: Evaluation

An evaluation plan based upon the health outcome that you have chosen and your anticipated results

Your written assignments must follow APA guidelines. Be sure to support your work with specific citations from appropriate Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate. Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association to ensure that your in- text citations and reference list are correct.
By Day 3

Submit your Major Assessment paper.
Submission and Grading Information

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Click the Week 11 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
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Grading Criteria

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Week 11 Assignment Rubric

 

Check Your Assignment Draft for Authenticity

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Submit your Week 11 Assignment draft and review the originality report.

 

Submit Your Assignment by Day 3

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Week 11 Assignment

 

Week in Review

In this final week, you analyzed epidemiological considerations that resulted from natural or human-made disasters and the impact of culture, ethics, regulatory, and legal issues on population health. In addition, you applied epidemiological methods to effectively address a population’s need and evaluated the effects of health care reform as it relates to a selected population health initiative.

Congratulations! After you have finished all of the assignments for this week, you have completed the course. Please submit your Course Evaluation by Day 7.