Influencing patient health through advocacy.
Did you know that as nurses we have the power to influence allocation of government funds and the passage of government bills on health care? Through advocacy for federal policy and appropriations (funding), we can influence the health care of our patients. We have a voice that can be used to provide lawmakers with a new perspective on the reasons for supporting health care policy. Government policies and budget allotment affect the health of constituents. Through legislative action, nurses can make changes that affect the lives of individuals, especially those with chronic diseases, minority background, and economic instability.
Not just for patients but for the community.
The ethical principle of beneficence means to do good. As nurses, we have the responsibility to not only do good towards our patients but to communities, expanding our focus from the nurse–patient relationship to a broader community health lens. Nurses can move from patient advocacy that makes changes for one patient to policy advocacy that makes changes for communities of patients. As nurses, we can discuss disparities seen in health care with legislatures to provide a new and personal perspective on support of different health care laws.
Drawing attention to sickle cell disease.
As a nursing doctoral student, I am interested in improving the care of children with sickle cell disease. I noted when studying the literature on the topic that there is often a lack of clarity on the true number of people in the United States living with sickle cell disease and the quality of the care that they are receiving. Through my readings, I learned about the Sickle Cell Data Collection (SCDC) program. The SCDC program is a government-funded initiative through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that collects data on people living with sickle cell disease with the goal of improving their quality of life, life expectancy, and overall health. Realizing the importance of the SCDC program, I collaborated with a community sickle cell organization to speak with legislators to advocate for future funding.
Getting involved in policy advocacy.
You may ask, “How can I be involved or participate in policy advocacy?” There are community organizations that provide education and a platform for policy advocacy. We can also contact our legislators to discuss proposed government bills and requests for appropriations. Opportunities for nurses to participate in policy advocacy are available for many diseases and health care concerns. Groenwald and Eldridge (2020) discuss in detail methods we can use to participate in policy development. Below are general steps that a novice can take to use advocacy to affect the lives of our patients.
- Find what you are enthusiastic about improving for your patients.
- Research the topic and check if there are any associated legislative bills or appropriation requests.
- Locate community or nursing organizations with a similar focus.
- Seek opportunities to participate in policy advocacy through organizations or contact your legislative official regarding the importance of the bill or appropriation request.
For more information on the importance of nurses participating in policy advocacy related to the Sickle Cell Data Collection program, see my article in the August issue of AJN.
Andrea Jackson, MBA, BSN, RN, is an evidence-based practice specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
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