TITLE: NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and
Economic Forces in Health Care
CREDITS: 3
FACULTY RESPONSIBLE: Dr. Dianne Moore CNM, MPH, PhD
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course examines the issues and concepts which are relevant to an understanding of the relationships between social networks, bio-medical ethics and health policy. Emphasis will be placed on the process by which health care policy is formulated and on identifying the central issues within the social, ethical and political framework together with their supportive and non-supportive argumentation. Guest experts may be invited to enhance the discussion of issues and policies.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. Analyze historical, social, ethical, political, legal and economic
issues affecting the health professions and related policy
implications.
2. Synthesize previous learning in the analysis of the positive and
negative argumentation affecting the formulation of health policy.
3. Propose alternative strategies or solutions to policy related
problems.
4. Analyze the social, political, legal, economic and ethical factors
which currently affect health care as a basis for planning change.
5. Evaluate current health policies through interpretation of
the legal, social and ethical issues which contribute to their evolving nature.
6. Evaluate the role of the health professions in formulating health
care policy through mobilization of social, legal and political
forces.
EVALUATION:
Weekly Assignments, Readings, and Final Exam: 20%
Political Action Paper: 40%
Agency/Organization Paper: 40%
Attendance in all classes is required and taken into consideration in course grade.
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NURS 6124
RECOMMENDED TEXTS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION:
Mason, D.J., Talbott, S.W. and Leavin, J.K. (Eds.) Policy
and politics for nurses. (2nd ed). Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders
Co.
REFERENCE: American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication Manual, (4th
ed.) Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Other requirements and references:
Computer access for research writing papers - e-mail and the
internet are required.
Revised Spring 99
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SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces
in Health Care
Fall, 1997 Dr. Ruth Reagan Hutchison
Office Hours - Mondays, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and by appointment
Telephone (201) 761-9279
CLASS SCHEDULE OF TOPICS*
August 25 Introduction to course; overview
September 1 Labor Day - Off
September 8 Historical evolution of health care
September 15 Current patterns of health care delivery
September 22 Politics of health care, political strategies
September 29 Current health care legislation
Otober 6 Sociological perspectives/Women's Issues
October 13 Columbus Day - Off
October 20 Professionalization of nursing/health professions
October 27 Current nursing issues/perspectives
November 3 Legal regulation of the profession
November 10 Ethical issues in health care
November 17 Financial and economic issues; entrepreneurial endeavors
November 24 Health policy and planning
December 1 Current issues/future perspectives
December 8 Presentations/discussions/evaluation
December 15 Presentations/discussions/evaluation, Final Exam
* TOPICS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO AVAILABILITY OF GUEST LECTURERS.
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces in
Health Care
Dr. Dianne S. Moore Spring, 1999
WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS AND READINGS
GUIDELINES
1. According to the class schedule of topics, read current related items from two sources:
A. Lay media:
newspapers, news magazines, worldwide web, electronic media, etc.
B. Professional media:
Professional journals, professional newspapers, texts, etc.
2. The readings must be relevant to the class schedule topic for the week.
3. Each week hand in One (1) typewritten page summary of:
A. The lay media article/item (1/2 page).
B. The professional media article/item (1/2 page).
C. Use appropriate APA citations for both. But only
one page total.
4. These will be presented by you in class. Random assignments
to be handed in at professors discretion.
Due Date - Each Week
Evaluation - 20% of grade
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces
in Health Care
Dr. Dianne S. Moore
AGENCY/ORGANIZATION GUIDELINES
Guidelines for a Visit to the Board of Directors Meeting of a Voluntary, Non-profit Organization (Related to Nursing or Health Care) or a Professional Association (Related to Nursing or Health Care).
I. Selection:
1. Select an agency/organization to visit. (You can check with your instructor to determine if agency is appropriate).
2. Determine the meeting times and places; if the meetings are
"open."
3. Request permission from the appropriate individual to attend
meeting.
4. Request any printed information about the agency/organization
prior to your visit. Especially important are By-laws,
Philosophy, Purposes, Goals, Objectives, Membership Requirements and Budget (if available).
5. Read the information prior to your visit.
6. Follow the Guidelines on page 2 in writing your paper.
7. Write appropriate "thank you" to the agency/organizations after your visit.
8. Identify the issues under discussion. Identify the solutions proposed.
9. Write appropriate "thank you" to the agency/organization after your visit.
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NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces in
Health Care
II. Guidelines for Paper:
A. Physical Environment
Where do meetings take place?
Availability of resources (telephone, files, etc.)
Convenience of setting to membership.
B. Participants
Who has the power?
Who is/are the leaders in introducing new ideas.
Who makes decisions?
Who offers solutions?
Are the Board members representative of various
constituencies - minority, age, gender, etc.
Elected? If so, by whom? Appointed? If so, by whom?
C. Structure.
What is the written philosophy and major objectives (goals) of the agency/organization?
D. Analysis of the meeting
*Identify and analyze the major issues discussed during the meeting. A literature review of the relevant major issues is required.
*Analyze the relationship of the major issues discussed
to the Major issues in health care today, especially the
legal, ethical, social and economic issues identified.
Conduct a literature review of the relevant issues.
*MAJOR FOCUS OF PAPER
III. ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS FOR PAPER
ATTACH DOCUMENTS FROM AGENCY/ORGANIZATION
TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED
USE APA STYLE MANUAL. PLAGIARISM IN ANY FORM IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WARRANTS AN "F."
MINIMUM/MAXIMUM 6 - 8 PAGES
DUE DATE: March 16, 1999
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces in Health Care
Dr. Dianne S. Moore
EVALUATION FORM FOR AGENCY/ORGANIZATION PAPER
Weight Score
Grammar, Style, Typing, documentation, etc. 10 _____
A. Physical Environment 5 _____
B. Participants 15 _____
Leadership
Decision making
C. Structure
Analysis of the philosophy and major
objectives (goals). 10 _____
*D. Analysis
Analysis of Major Issues Discussed 30 _____
including literature review
Analysis of the Relationship of the 30 _____
Major Issues Discussed to the Major
Issues in Health Care Today.
__________________ Total 100
INCLUDE THIS FORM WITH YOUR PAPER.
*MAJOR WEIGHT OF THIS PAPER.
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces in Health Care
Dr. Dianne S. Moore
GUIDELINES FOR POLITICAL ACTION PAPER
1. Select a bill that is currently in the state* or federal
legislature** related to nursing or health care. Give your
reasons for selecting this bill including its importance to
you personally and its significance to nursing and health
care.
2. Identify the bill by its title, number and sponsor(s).
* 3.Obtain a copy of the bill to study and to include with your
report. (Bill may be obtained from NJ Legislative Services
1-800-792-8630).
4. Identify the sponsor(s) of this bill and their party affiliation.
5. Determine (if able) the position of NJSNA, NJ-ONE, or any other appropriate nursing organizations regarding this bill.
6. Do a literature review on the issue(s) related to the bill.
7. State your position on the bill. (Oppose/Support).
8. Defend your position with your reasons. Substantiate.
9. Appropriately cite your sources of information.
10. Contact your legislative representative(s) regarding your
position on this bill; eg, by writing a letter, making a
telephone call, or meeting with the legislator or staff member
in his/her local office.
11. Identify other political strategies you used to oppose/support bill.
12. Include copies of the bill, your letters and responses with your
report.
13. Evaluate the effectiveness of your lobbying efforts and
strategies used.
14. Write appropriate letters of appreciation.
NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces in Health Care
15. Paper minimum/maximum 7-10 pages - typewritten, double-spaced.
16. Use APA style manual. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and warrants an "F."
* NJ State Bills: Assembly = A________
Senate = S________
** Federal Bills: House of Representatives HR______
Senate S ______
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces in Health Care
Dr. Dianne S. Moore
EVALUATION FORM FOR POLITICAL ACTION PAPER
Weight Score
Bill selected, rationale, significance 5 _____
*Literature review (related to the issue(s) of 30 _____ the legislation)
Positions of selected nursing organizations 5 _____
Your position on the legislation 5 _____
Rationale for your position 5 _____
*Political action, strategies used and responses 30 _____
Evaluation of effectiveness of your political 10 _____ actions and strategies
Grammar, composition, style, spelling, punctuation, 10 _____
capitalization, APA style, documentation
Total 100%
*Major focus of this paper
Attach documents to your paper (bill, letters, etc.)
Typewritten, double spaced
Minimum - maximum pages 7 - 10
Use APA Publication Manual. Plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and warrants a "F".
* INCLUDE THIS FORM WITH YOUR PAPER.
DUE DATE: April 13, 1998
SETON HALL UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political, Legal and Economic Forces in Health Care
Dr. Dianne S. Moore
WRITING/CALLING YOUR LEGISLATORS
DO
Use the proper form of address and salutation. Any legislator or governor is called "Honorable" (The Honorable John Smith) on the envelope and inside addresses. The salutation, though, treats representatives, senators (either state or U.S.) and governors differently. The governor is
addressed "Governor;" representatives are addressed as "Mr.," "Ms.," "Mrs." while senators are called "Senator."
Identify the bill by number and "nickname," e.g., S-878, prohibition on flag burning.
Give specific reasons for supporting or opposing a bill.
Be concise and straightforward. "Verbiage is garbage!" One page is sufficient in your letter.
PROOFREAD!
Mistakes in spelling and grammar should not be made.
- Identify your own legislators (Districts)
- When writing or calling legislators, identify yourself as a registered voter in New Jersey (New York or wherever) in your district.
- Thank the sponsor(s) for sponsoring the bill, recognizing that they are in support of a Bill as its sponsor. Sponsorship is a commitment.
- Use your own personal stationery when writing to legislators.
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NURS 6124 Social, Ethical, Political Legal and Economic Forces in Health Care
WRITING/CALLING YOUR LEGISLATORS (cont'd.)
- Identify yourself as a Registered Nurse when writing or calling a legislator, especially when discussing a bill related to health.
- Remember that there are three main positions on bills:
(1) in favor (support) (2) not in favor (oppose) (3) no position (neither support nor oppose - a neutral position)
- Type your letter(s), stating your position and rationale on a bill very clearly and succinctly.
- Thank your legislator(s) for the opportunity to state your position on a bill.
- Use the legislative toll free number to identify the current status of a bill. It is important to write/call legislator(s) prior to any action on the bill. Once the bill is PASSED, any action is MOOT other than to say "thank you."
- If in any doubt about a legislator's position on a bill, call the legislator's office. While you may not be able to speak directly to the legislator, the legislator's Aide is usually very helpful and accommodating.
DON'T
- DO NOT use your employer's (or organization's) stationery when writing to legislators. It is your personal position you are writing about, not your employers.
- DO NOT identify yourself to the legislator(s) as a Seton Hall University graduate student. Legislators do not want to do anyone's academic work for them. Additionally, Seton Hall University itself may have a different position on the bill.
- DO NOT write/call a Federal legislator or a national organization if the bill is a state bill. Example: Do not write to your Federal Senator or write to ANA if the bill is in New Jersey legislature. The reverse is also true.
- DO NOT use a form letter or postcard or copy of another person's letter.
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