The course content culminated with an examination of policy, and appropriate end point because every previous topic influences policy and policy impacts each area of healthcare.

For the final examination, select a healthcare related policy -- either one in existence or (more difficult) one you would propose -- and in a 5 page paper explain its purpose and impact.

As this is a cumulative and summative examination, your critical thought and analysis must include how the policy influences some or all of the realms explored this semester.  In other words, this is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the complexities of healthcare.

In considering which policy to examine [I considered specifying the topic, but prefer to let your creativity flow], adopt a broad perspective of the policy but stay focused on the specifics of the policy.  Appropriate topics range from broad public health initiatives (mandatory seat belt use, prohibition on tobacco advertising, older drinking age) to fiscal influencer (readmission penalties, never events/avoidable errors, HIT incentives and penalties, block grants) to operational mandates (CON requirements, limits on training hours, EMTALA, quality improvement initiatives). These are examples you may select your own specific policy to study. (Note: policy, not concept)

Condensing your research and findings into a concise and precise paper is a major challenge.  It is also a practical skill. An outline with grade points is offered below.

Please contact me by email if you have any questions about the final exam. If your questions are general you can post in Ask the Professor. Post your final submission in the Assignments folder.

Approach to this assignment:  Select a policy to study. Be specific. Stay focused. Write academic/scholarly style, not narrative or journalistic.

1.     Know your history. Research! What historical facts surround the policy you have selected? What are the facts about the policy? What is it (very brief summary) and what was it intended to do? Who initiated it? What were the specific goal(s) for the policy? What theories or motivations drove the policy? Motivations and intent?

2.     What do these facts mean? What is your understanding/comprehension of the policy? Has it worked to meet the goals for which it was created? Cite specific evidence/research showing you understand the reasons for the policy and the meaning of the policy and its implications for US healthcare

3.     Give examples as to how this policy plays out in real life. A case study or example of the policy in action. Find a specific real life example/story of this policy in action. Is it working there?

4.     What is your analysis of the reasons why the policy failed? Succeeded? Stalled? Partial Success? Etc. Political or corporate corruption?   Financial? Cultural? Poor implementation? Great implementation with specific examples of failures and successes. Did it work some places but not all? How were the outcomes measured? Data? Statistics?

5.     Given your research and critical thought in 1-4, what is your own new idea to continue, change, modify, replace, discontinue the policy?

6.     Do a self-critique of your own new idea. If it works, why will it work where others have failed? Why is your idea better? What are the new benefits or goals to be realized with the success of your idea? What are the downsides of your idea e.g. cost, time, cultural barriers? Why is your idea worse? What likely unanticipated consequences might occur from the implementation of your idea?