NURS 6050 Assessing Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation

The evaluation of a healthcare program or policy is essential for providers to assess and ascertain its efficacy to the targeted health population (Duong et al., 2021). The purpose of this paper to offer an evaluation of a program implemented in our facility concerning the provision of mental health to young people (18-24) on psychological stressors and dealing with early adulthood issues like substance use disorder that emanates from such events.

Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation	Mental health provision services for young adults in the facility
Description	This program was launched in collaboration with the Massachusetts’ health department because of increased levels of mental health challenges that young adults face in their bid to navigate their situations. The program’s outcomes included increasing mental health to this age group, optimizing resources to address mental health challenges, and development of long-term engagements and creation of mental health units as part of emergency care in the emergency rooms and departments (Horigian et al., 2021).
How was the success of the program or policy measured?	The success of this program was measured by the number of young adults who participated in it and benefited immensely from the suggested strategies to deal with mental health issues. During its implementation, program benefited 300 young adults from the low-income families and households who lack access to healthcare, including mental health services. The number of suicides also reduced with the areas where the intervention was implemented to the latter.
How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?	The program targeted 500 young adults within the county. However, as indicated, 300 benefited from the program’s roll out within the facility. The program had a significant impact on the targeted population since it reduced suicide contemplation by over 60% in the county based on figures from the public health department. The program benefited the targeted young people by offering sufficient information and education on how to deal with emotional stressors and other factors that lead to such situations (Kecojevic et al., 2021).
What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?	Data from the facility and the county health office was used in conducting the evaluation. Before its implementation, the facility never considered data and cases of mental health presenting in the ER. The available data indicated that only ten patients had presented symptoms of mental health illness. However, with the program’s roll out, the number increased to 300. Data of the health department also indicated a reduction in suicides and reported suicide ideation.
What specific information on unintended consequences were identified?	While the program was aimed at conferring benefits to the young adults to help them address psychological challenges, its unintended effects entailed straining of relationships between parents and teenagers in the initial stages of the intervention. However, those who benefited would later appreciate the critical roles of their parents.
What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.	The program identified different stakeholders including the affected young adults, their parents and even spouses, the community, healthcare facilities, and the government. Those who benefited the most from the program included young adults with mental health issues and the general public as it got information about the different ways to cope with emotional stressors.
Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?	I believe that the program attained the original intended objectives and intent. For instance, it focused on provision on mental health to a population group that is mainly neglected because none think of them as critical consumers of mental health services (Lewinski & Simmons, 2018). Secondly, the program focused on a group that can experience the highest burden of mental health if not handled well.
Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?	I would recommend this program to my place of work because of the benefits that it provides to the selected health population. Again, I would recommend it since it allows mental health practitioners to leverage their expertise in solving existing community problems.
Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after one year of implementation.	The two ways that I would be involved in evaluation of a program after its implement include collecting data on its efficacy, and promoting its increased adoption by the targeted population.
General Notes/Comments	Nurses play a critical role in program evaluation and implementation as patient and health population advocates (Milstead & Short, 2019). The need to address mental health issues implores nurses to develop innovative approaches to health care challenges within their communities and collaborate with others to implement these interventions in the most effective manner.

References

Duong, M. T., Bruns, E. J., Lee, K., Cox, S., Coifman, J., Mayworm, A., & Lyon, A. R. (2021).

Rates of mental health service utilization by children and adolescents in schools and other common service settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 48(3), 420-439. DOI: 10.1007/s10488-020-01080-9.

Horigian, V. E., Schmidt, R. D., & Feaster, D. J. (2021). Loneliness, mental health, and

substance use among US young adults during COVID-19. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 53(1), 1-9. DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2020.1836435.

Kecojevic, A., Basch, C. H., Sullivan, M., & Davi, N. K. (2020). The impact of the COVID-19

epidemic on mental health of undergraduate students in New Jersey, cross-sectional study. PloS one, 15(9), e0239696.

Lewinski, A. A., & Simmons, L. A. (2018). Nurse knowledge and engagement in health policy

making: Findings from a pilot study. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 49(9), 407-415.

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.).

Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation	Mental health provision services for young adults in the facility
Description	This program was launched in collaboration with the Massachusetts’ health department because of increased levels of mental health challenges that young adults face in their bid to navigate their situations. The program’s outcomes included increasing mental health to this age group, optimizing resources to address mental health challenges, and development of long-term engagements and creation of mental health units as part of emergency care in the emergency rooms and departments (Horigian et al., 2021).
How was the success of the program or policy measured?	The success of this program was measured by the number of young adults who participated in it and benefited immensely from the suggested strategies to deal with mental health issues. During its implementation, program benefited 300 young adults from the low-income families and households who lack access to healthcare, including mental health services. The number of suicides also reduced with the areas where the intervention was implemented to the latter.
How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?	The program targeted 500 young adults within the county. However, as indicated, 300 benefited from the program’s roll out within the facility. The program had a significant impact on the targeted population since it reduced suicide contemplation by over 60% in the county based on figures from the public health department. The program benefited the targeted young people by offering sufficient information and education on how to deal with emotional stressors and other factors that lead to such situations (Kecojevic et al., 2021).
What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?	Data from the facility and the county health office was used in conducting the evaluation. Before its implementation, the facility never considered data and cases of mental health presenting in the ER. The available data indicated that only ten patients had presented symptoms of mental health illness. However, with the program’s roll out, the number increased to 300. Data of the health department also indicated a reduction in suicides and reported suicide ideation.
What specific information on unintended consequences were identified?	While the program was aimed at conferring benefits to the young adults to help them address psychological challenges, its unintended effects entailed straining of relationships between parents and teenagers in the initial stages of the intervention. However, those who benefited would later appreciate the critical roles of their parents.
What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.	The program identified different stakeholders including the affected young adults, their parents and even spouses, the community, healthcare facilities, and the government. Those who benefited the most from the program included young adults with mental health issues and the general public as it got information about the different ways to cope with emotional stressors.
Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?	I believe that the program attained the original intended objectives and intent. For instance, it focused on provision on mental health to a population group that is mainly neglected because none think of them as critical consumers of mental health services (Lewinski & Simmons, 2018). Secondly, the program focused on a group that can experience the highest burden of mental health if not handled well.
Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?	I would recommend this program to my place of work because of the benefits that it provides to the selected health population. Again, I would recommend it since it allows mental health practitioners to leverage their expertise in solving existing community problems.
Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after one year of implementation.	The two ways that I would be involved in evaluation of a program after its implement include collecting data on its efficacy, and promoting its increased adoption by the targeted population.
General Notes/Comments	Nurses play a critical role in program evaluation and implementation as patient and health population advocates (Milstead & Short, 2019). The need to address mental health issues implores nurses to develop innovative approaches to health care challenges within their communities and collaborate with others to implement these interventions in the most effective manner.