Domain 3: Population Health

3.1 Manage population health.

3.1j Assess the efficacy of a system’s capability to serve a target sub-population’s healthcare needs.
3.1k Analyze primary and secondary population health data for multiple populations against relevant benchmarks.
3.1l Use established or evolving methods to determine population-focused priorities for care.
3.1m Develop a collaborative approach with relevant stakeholders to address population healthcare needs, including evaluation methods.
3.1n Collaborate with appropriate stakeholders to implement a sociocultural and linguistically responsive intervention plan.

3.2 Engage in effective partnerships.

3.2d Ascertain collaborative opportunities for individuals and organizations to improve population health.
3.2e Challenge biases and barriers that impact population health outcomes.
3.2f Evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships for achieving health equity.
3.2g Lead partnerships to improve population health outcomes.
3.2h Assess preparation and readiness of partners to organize during natural and manmade disasters.

3.3 Consider the socioeconomic impact of the delivery of health care.

3.3c Analyze cost-benefits of selected population-based interventions.
3.3d Collaborate with partners to secure and leverage resources necessary for effective, sustainable interventions.
3.3e Advocate for interventions that maximize cost-effective, accessible, and equitable resources for populations.
3.3f Incorporate ethical principles in resource allocation in achieving equitable health.

3.4 Advance equitable population health policy.

3.4f Identify opportunities to influence the policy process.
3.4g Design comprehensive advocacy strategies to support the policy process.
3.4h Engage in strategies to influence policy change.
3.4i Contribute to policy development at the system, local, regional, or national levels.
3.4j Assess the impact of policy changes.
3.4k Evaluate the ability of policy to address disparities and inequities within segments of the population.
3.4l Evaluate the risks to population health associated with globalization.

3.5 Demonstrate advocacy strategies.

3.5f Appraise advocacy priorities for a population.
3.5g Strategize with an interdisciplinary group and others to develop effective advocacy approaches.
3.5h Engage in relationship-building activities with stakeholders at any level of influence, including system, local, state, national, and/or global.
3.5i Demonstrate leadership skills to promote advocacy efforts that include principles of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

3.6 Advance preparedness to protect population health during disasters and public health emergencies.

3.6f Collaboratively initiate rapid response activities to protect population health.
3.6g Participate in ethical decision making that includes diversity, equity, and inclusion in advanced preparedness to protect populations.
3.6h Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to lead preparedness and mitigation efforts to protect population health with attention to the most vulnerable populations.
3.6i Coordinate the implementation of evidence-based infection control measures and proper use of personal protective equipment.
3.6j Contribute to system-level planning, decision making, and evaluation for disasters and public health emergencies.

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The Essentials: The Competencies for Professional Nursing Education (pp. 33-36). https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/AcademicNursing/pdf/Essentials-2021.pdf

Reflection:

Students attended Nurses Day at the Capitol during the NURS 71173, Leadership in Health Policy. After attending Nurses Day at the Capitol, students wrote a summary of the day, which you can find here. Students had the opportunity to meet with policymakers and members of their staff. Meeting with policymakers and staff members met Domain 3.4 of the DNP Essentials (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021). During the sessions, students could speak up not only for nurses and their profession but also for patients. Discussions were also had during the meeting regarding the impacts of policy change, both bad and good.

A case study completed during NURS 7105, Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice and Research, met Domain 3.5 of the DNP Essentials (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2021). The case study, located here, demonstrated the use of the Dahlgren and Whitehead Ecological Model to illustrate health disparities by determining how disparities arise. By knowing how to use the ecological model, nurse practitioners can demonstrate advocacy strategies by tailoring care to a patient’s needs.

Population health has and will continue to impact our world. The nursing perspective can be translated into legislation by developing relationships with policymakers and ensuring our voices are heard. Also, by being able to evaluate the needs of patients in care settings will allow for appropriate partnerships to improve the health outcomes.