Reply Hollie

Case study:

Health disparities a 32-year-old African American woman may experience related to her pregnancy, such as the risk for preterm labor and the high rate of infant mortality in low-income women.

           This is a timely topic as this year the CDC pointed out that the risk of black* women dying in pregnancy is three to four times that of white women (CDC, 2019). ACOG (2015) discusses the consistent and prevalent disparities in obstetrics and gynecology. Healthcare access is one of the documented issues. ACOG reminds us that the United States is the only country that has a market driven health care system rather than the view that healthcare is a right that every citizen should have (ACOG, 2015). In 2013, 59% of black women lived in areas where Medicaid was not going to be expanded (ACOG, 2015). Also documented is the biases and stereotyping from a provider point of view (ACOG, 2015). Demographic and social biases have been shown to influence clinican’s decisions regarding contraception and pre-natal care (ACOG, 2015). Could the mistrust of many black women with the healthcare system have anything to do with forced sterilization in the past? (ACOG, 2015).

These disparities are nothing new. In 2011, Cox, Zhang, Zotti, and Graham discussed racial disparities and unfavorable birth outcomes. The study referenced that fact that black women consistency received less than adequate pre-natal care from providers. In addition black women had a greater chance of premature babies, babies with low birth weight, and babies who die in childbirth (Cox, Zhang, Zotti, & Graham, 2011). We have the power, as Nurse Practitioners to encourage and provider early and consistent pre-natal care free of bias and judgment. With consistent care, we can assist with nutritional and psychosocial counseling as well as assisting with modifiable risk factors such as alcohol, drug use, or cigarette smoking in pregnancy (Cox, Zhang, Zotti, & Graham, 2011).

*I am African Canadian so prefer to use the word black rather than African American

References

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). (2015). Women’s Health Care Physicians. Retrieved from https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidance-and-Publications/Committee-Opinions/Committee-on-Health-Care-for-Underserved-Women/Racial-and-Ethnic-Disparities-in-Obstetrics-and-Gynecology

Centers for Disease Control (CDC). (2019). Pregnancy-Related Deaths | CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/pregnancy-relatedmortality.htm

Cox, R. G., Zhang, L., Zotti, M. E., & Graham, J. (2011). Prenatal care utilization in mississippi: Racial disparities and implications for unfavorable birth outcomes.Maternal and Child Health Journal, 15(7), 931-42. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10995-009-0542-6

Reply Gina

Given the United States’ climate of racial inequality and health disparities, our patient, which is an African American woman is more likely to be exposed to stress and complications such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, depression, fetal demise or fetal growth restriction during the pregnancy. A healthy environment, financial stability, healthcare, education, and social community context are essential during pregnancy (Mohamed et al., 2014). In this case study, the patient is a 32-years-old, African American single mother, has three children from previous relationships, is financially unstable, overweight, with preexisting conditions such as hypertension and at risk for gestational diabetes. She has two jobs that probably does not offer benefits or insurance coverage. The patient is more likely to experience hypertensive disorders of pregnancy that may be attributable to pre-pregnancy hypertension. Her BMI is already elevated, which may lead to complications, including preterm birth, fetal death, macrosomia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery.

According to Mohamed et al. (2014), women of color are less likely to have access to vital reproductive health services including screening for sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer, family planning; and abortion, when compared with non-Hispanic white women. Although socioeconomic status is considered the main leading factor in health disparities, factors at the patient, practitioner, and health care system levels contribute to existing and evolving disparities in women’s health outcomes (Mohamed et al., 2014). In this case, I would inquire on factors that contributed to her delay in OB care and lack of follow-up visits. What determined the patient to have all this gap in care? Was it the lack of financial resources or other factors such as domestic violence? Based on the screening results, the patient should be screened for domestic violence and guided in the process of care based on her needs and beliefs.

 Unfortunately, African American women receive lower-quality health care related to inequities in income, housing, education and job opportunities, which results in higher risk for mortality across the life span for this population (Bryant, 2010). This contributes to racial disparities in pregnancy-related risk factors such as hypertension, anemia, gestational diabetes, and obesity and other conditions such as heart disease, HIV, AIDS, and cancer (Bryant, 2010).

Stress has been linked to one of the most common and consequential pregnancy complications, preterm birth. Studies showed that infants of African American mothers are more likely to be born preterm than infants of white mothers (Mohamed et al., 2014). But, why is preterm birth rate higher in African-Americans?

Women of color are 49 percent more likely than whites to deliver prematurely, and black infants are twice as likely as white babies to die before their first birthday (Mohamed et al., 2014). In this case, the stress, financial instability, lack of nutritional food, and comorbidities may put in jeopardy the patient and infant’s life. Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) created historical advances in health insurance coverage, millions still go without health insurance each year, many of the people of color (Mohamed et al., 2014).

Low-income, lack of financial resources, maternal pre-pregnancy weight, exposure to stress, and maternal health status prior to pregnancy may lead to fetal growth restriction. Research showed that African American women are more likely to experience fetal growth restriction (FGR), a significant contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality, than are women of other races and ethnicities (Bryant, 2010). The patient has to be enrolled in public programs such as the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children, to avoid food insecurity during pregnancy that may have a beneficial effect on FGR risk among women (Bryant, 2010).

According to Bryant (2010), there are multiple disparities in obstetrical outcomes between women of different race or ethnicities. The author suggests that stress induced by racial and gender discrimination plays a significant role in maternal and infant mortality. According to Kliff (2018), infants in the United States have a 76 percent higher risk of death compared with infants in other wealthy nations and African American women experience the most elevated rates of maternal and infant death. This inequity in health status can be reduced by properly addressing the social determinants of health and advocating for a system of more culturally and linguistically appropriate care for all. (Kliff, 2018).

In this case, it will be our responsibility as health care providers to encourage that all care is patient-centered, culturally appropriate, and listens to women’s needs. This new visit at the office represents a good opportunity for screening and education of the patient in a culturally sensitive manner about steps she can take to prevent disease conditions and any negative birth outcomes.

                                                         References

Bryant, A. S., Worjoloh, A., Caughey, A. B., & Washington, A. E. (2010). Racial/ethnic disparities in obstetric outcomes and care: prevalence and determinants. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 202(4), 335-43.

Center for Reproductive Rights (2018). Addressing Disparities in Reproductive and Sexual Health Care in the U.S. Retrieved from https://www.reproductiverights.org/node/861

Mohamed, S. A., Thota, C., Browne, P. C., Diamond, M. P., & Al-Hendy, A. (2014). Why is Preterm Birth Stubbornly Higher in African-Americans? Obstetrics & gynecology international journal, 1(3), 00019.

Sarah Kliff (2018), American kids are 70 percent more likely to die before adulthood than kids in other rich countries, Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/health-care/2018/1/8/16863656/childhood-mortality-united-states.

I graduated from my ADN program in 2014, and since then I have had some great career opportunities. However, my goal and passion has always been working as an L&D nurse. I found it challenging to fulfill my passion and goal since the hospitals I was looking to work at required a BSN. I have had many co-workers and former classmates complete their RN-BSN program through GCU; all have had wonderful things to say about the program and saw their careers soar. With their encouragement and time needed to save financially, I have decided that I needed to take the next steps in obtaining my BSN.

This is my first online class/program, so I am a little worried and concern about the structure of the program and expectations. I am also concerned with my ability to stay on task and complete everything I need to be successful in a timely fashion. But after reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective Nursing Students (Moore, 2015) and Balancing Work and Nursing School (All Nursing Schools, n.d.), I will create a working space for me to complete my school work, a calendar for assignments and proactively stay ahead of schedule.

I know that as long as follow Strategy #8-Focus on Your Nursing Career Goal (All Nursing Schools, n.d.) and have my goal and passion align, I will stay on track and be successful.

Respond  in one or more of the following ways:

Ask a probing question, substantiated with additional background information, and evidence.

Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ postings, synthesizing the information to provide new perspectives.

Offer and support an alternative perspective using readings from the classroom or from your own review of the literature in the Walden Library.

Make a suggestion based on additional evidence drawn from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.

                                                             Main Post

 Because evidence-based practice (EBP) stems from scientific research, it is imperative that nurses not only be able to read and interpret the results of research studies; they must also have a sound understanding of the various methodologies utilized to gather, analyze, and interpret the data used within those studies. The design of the study, the number of participants, the data collection methods, all help to determine the relevancy of the research for nursing practice. For example, a large-scale, randomized control trial would more accurately measure the impact of hand-washing on infection control. But, a descriptive qualitative analysis would likely be a more effective research design to determine motivators or deterrents of hand-washing behavior. Polit and Beck (2017) maintain that quantitative nursing research studies primarily aim to establish causality. Philosophically speaking, causality is highly complex because most phenomena cannot be contributed to a single causative factor; rather, they are attributable to multiple, sometimes convoluting variables. Correlation while often compelling, does not equal causation, and a sound research design will be able to distinguish the difference (Polit & Beck, 2017). 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

            Rowe, Sperlich, Cameron, and Seng (2014) maintain that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which develops after experiencing a psychologically traumatic event. 

It is characterized by intrusive reminders of the event such as nightmares and flashbacks, avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, persistent negative cognitions and numbing of responses, and symptoms of anxiety, including hyper-vigilance, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and sleep disturbances. PTSD is associated with substantial distress and impairment in functioning. (Rowe, Sperlich, Cameron, and Seng para. 8, 2014)

Epidemiological evidence indicates that women are twice as likely to suffer from PTSD than men (Rowe, Sperlich, Cameron, and Seng, 2014). McGovern et al. (2015) assert that PTSD is more likely to affect individuals with co-occurring substance use disorder. Co-morbidity rates are significantly increased when patients suffer from both PTSD and substance use disorder (McGovern et al., 2015). 

Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Design

A randomized control trial (RTC) is an experimental design in which subjects are randomized into distinct groups with the aim of isolating variables to make a comparative analysis and establish the efficacy of each variable. Controlled experiments are considered the gold standard for establishing cause and effect (Polit & Beck, 2017). I selected a single-blind RCT which analyzed treatment modalities for patients with PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorder. The study isolated and analyzed three treatment variables; standard care, integrated cognitive behavioral therapy plus standard care, and individual addiction counseling plus standard care. The results of this RCT determined that cognitive behavioral therapy was most effective for treating symptoms of PTSD. However, cognitive behavioral therapy and individual counseling were similarly effective for treating substance abuse disorder. Both cognitive behavioral therapy and individual counseling combined with standard care were superior to standardized care alone in treating PTSD symptoms and substance abuse (McGovern et al., 2015).

            I believe that the randomized control design was appropriate for this research because the goal was to establish cause and effect of various treatment modalities for PTSD with co-occurring substance abuse. RTCs are well suited to isolate the effects of distinct components of complex interventions, and to measure the effectiveness of the interventions against one another (Polit & Beck, 2017). Moreover, the randomization of participants helped to mitigate variations of genetic, behavioral, and environmental differences amongst the participants. Blinding is a method used to prevent biases which occur from people being aware that they are being observed. To ensure optimal results, the designers of this study did not tell the group of patients receiving the intervention they were being studied, however, the participants administering the interventions were aware of the study. If only one group is unaware of the study, it is referred to as being a single-blind study, as opposed to a double-blind study in which both the group administering the intervention and the group receiving it are unaware of the research (Polit & Beck, 2017). One drawback to this design can be that there is no significant difference between the interventions. This research found no statistical difference between treatment interventions for substance abuse, but did conclude that one intervention was superior for PTSD. Therefore I think the design was well suited and yielded evidentiary treatment recommendations.

Analysis of a Quasi-Experimental Design

            The quasi-experimental design measures an intervention, but lacks randomization, and sometimes even lack a control group. However, its defining characteristic of is the lack of randomization (Polit & Beck, 2017). I examined a quasi-experimental study which aimed to test the effectiveness of a trauma-specific, psycho-educational intervention for pregnant women with a history of abuse-related PTSD on six-intrapartum and post-partum psychological outcomes. This quasi-experimental research employed the nonequivalent control group, pre-test post-test design. Women voluntarily entered the study by responding to an advertisement or accepting a referral from their medical provider. The research concluded that the educational intervention provided clinical benefits including improved labor experience, less post-partum PTSD and post-partum depression, and decreased bonding impairment (Rowe, Sperlich, Cameron, & Seng, 2014). 

I believe that this was an appropriate research design for this study because it facilitated the recruitment and retention of participants from a vulnerable group. The quasi-experimental design was strong in this case because it compared similar patient groups before and after the intervention concluding that differences in outcomes were directly attributable to the intervention. However, this design is vulnerable to selection bias, in that the groups were not comparable before the study (Polit & Beck, 2017). However, because the participants in this study suffered from abuse-related PTSD, this limitation was not applicable to this research.  

Consequences of Inappropriate Research Designs 

            It is imperative to select an appropriate research design because the design of the study has a significant impact on the quality of the results yielded from the research. When the research aims to establish causal relationships, the design is more important than any other methodological factor. Various research designs have distinct strengths and weaknesses, and it is up to the researchers to determine which one is most appropriate for their research question. For therapy questions, experimental designs are the gold standard, while the RCT design is best suited to establish cause and effect. If a researcher chooses a RCT design to answer a therapy question, the quality of the results will suffer, and the question may not even be answered (Polit & Beck, 2017). The goal of the research is to answer questions, but, selecting an inappropriate research design could lead to more questions than answers.

References 

McGovern, M. P., Lambert-Harris, C., Xie, H., Meier, A., Mcleman, B., & Saunders, E. (2015). A randomized controlled trial of treatments for co-occurring substance use disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Addiction,110(7), 1194-1204. doi:10.1111/add.12943

Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.

Rowe, H., Sperlich, M., Cameron, H., & Seng, J. (2014). A quasi‐experimental outcomes analysis of a psychoeducation intervention for pregnant women with abuse‐related posttraumatic stress. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing,43(3), 282-293. doi:10.1111/1552-6909.12312

As you have discovered through this course, nurses are influential members of the community and the political system. Therefore, for the purposes of this assignment you will identify a problem or concern in your community, organization, etc. that has the capacity to be legislated. You will conduct research and state a proposal. Through the legislative process, your proposal for the problem or concern may influence an idea for change into a law.

First, refer to the “How a Bill Becomes a Law” media.

http://lc.gcumedia.com/zwebassets/courseMaterialPages/nrs440v_how-a-bill-becomes-a-law-v2.1.php/.

Then, view the “Bill to Law Process” to watch the scenario.

After viewing the scenario, refer to the “Legislative Assignment.” You will need to save the document first in order to use it.

Submit the assignment to the instructor. You also reserve the right to submit your completed proposal to the respective government official. However, this is optional. If you select to submit your proposal as a part of the legislative process, refer to “Find Your Representative” or research the contact information on your own.

APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin

 Details:

Throughout the RN-to-BSN program, students are required to participate in scholarly activities outside of clinical practice or professional practice. Examples of scholarly activities include attending conferences, seminars, journal club, grand rounds, morbidity and mortality meetings, interdisciplinary committees, quality improvement committees, and any other opportunities available at your site, within your community, or nationally.

You are required to post one scholarly activity while you are in the BSN program, which should be documented by the end of this course. In addition to this submission, you are required to be involved and contribute to interdisciplinary initiatives on a regular basis.

Submit, as the assignment, a summary report of the scholarly activity, including who, what, where, when and any relevant take-home points. Include the appropriate program competencies associated with the scholarly activity as well as future professional goals related to this activity. You may use the “Scholarly Activity Summary” resource to help guide this assignment.

While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and in-text citations and references should be presented using APA documentation guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.

You are not required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.