NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 Population Health Policy Advocacy

NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3 focuses on Population Health Policy Advocacy, highlighting strategies to influence health policies for community well-being.

Letter to the Editor: Population Health Policy Advocacy
Dr. Patricia K. Kerig
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Dear Editor,

I am attempting to express my frustration with the persistent and monumental problems that communities with inadequate access to healthcare are forced to bear in acquiring the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Though it has been established to be a public health problem, PTSD remains highly underdiagnosed and undertreated in low-income and minority communities. As a health practitioner in the health profession, I have witnessed how the people living in these communities suffer from mental trauma disorders such as insanity, flashbacks, or being overly watchful. Most of them are not administered any form of medical treatment (Al Jowf & Co., 2022 ). Discriminatory barriers and cultural misconceptions, coupled with the economic hardships and disillusionment with the health system, are the most important contributing factors to this. In order to close the gap, it is imperative that prompt policy adjustments are made to improve access to culturally responsive trauma-informed psycho-health care services and consolidate early intervention efforts to reach the most vulnerable.

Current State of Care and Outcomes for PTSD in Vulnerable Populations

Current difficulties in treating PTSD for those living in areas with limited access to health care are being encountered due to a lack of adequate professionals in recognizing diverse trauma symptoms. Geographical limitations in accessing a behavioral health service and a general lack of confidence in the health system also exist. The research shows patients from marginalized groups are usually directed to seek therapy specialists who do not know the total count of the exclusive signs trauma can bring to society (Al Jowf and colleagues, 2022). Most exclusive signs are recognized and lead to a lack of opportunities to be treated. Patients with PTSD frequently do not receive adequate diagnosis, treatment, and care from sources in the community. That omission is not only a source of distress, it can generate and compound race- and class-based health inequities. The absence of trauma-informed health care and culturally appropriate treatment modalities may account for the widespread variation in the mental health profession.

The risk of being unable to receive medically supported PTSD treatments. They are usually only the case in those who need them because of significant financial hindrances, poor insurance protection, or waiting lists. It is usually stigmatized in minority persisting communities, which discourages victims from receiving necessary aid (Schein et al. in 2021). ).>> Despite Healthy People 2030's intentions to deal with the issue of disparity in mental health, the issue of PTSD is still not addressed in budget-making or laws specifically for those underrepresented groups. The lack of focus on the issue continues to perpetuate the cycle of psychological trauma and chronic distress in society, which is being neglected. In NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 3, there is a need to grasp how diagnosing and treating PTSD differ by establishing some standards for policy that will help address funding imbalances and access for mental health professionals with a culturally responsive skill set, as well as trauma-sensitive practices integration in the public health environment.

Sharing education programs to help individuals when it comes to PTSD and promoting accessibility to care, addressing mental health, and improving relationships between healthcare providers and the community, is essential in developing accessible health care services for all (Schein et as, 2021). Inclusion of policymakers and clinicians alongside local leaders is important to enact significant change in the quality of mental health outcomes. Emphasis on access, accessible, and culturally appropriate PTSD health care is necessary to see to it that everyone receives help whenever they need it.

Knowledge Gaps

There is a broad knowledge gap that needs to be addressed for the improvement of PTSD treatment methods available for the most vulnerable sector, particularly those from poor and minority communities. Mental health studies today are more focused on the general treatment of PTSD, but there is not much intensity regarding perceiving the impact of socioeconomic burdens as separate from racial and ethnic traumas, too, and health disparities impact PTSD diagnoses and treatments for those who are listed (Spokas, 2025). Also, there is not enough information on the effectiveness of treatments that are based on individual culture. This includes faith counseling as well as group healing sessions. The race- and ethnic minority-targeted trauma-informed outreach programs.

Necessity for Health Policy Development and Advocacy

There is a need for an entire overhaul of the mental health system and community advocacy in eradicating disparities in PTSD occurrence among the nontreated groups. The lower-class groups and the minorities are likely to suffer most from chronic mental illnesses and are typically associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety, most often due to a lack of treatment that is culturally responsive, as well as a lack of treatment for untreated trauma (Spokas, 2025). Medical providers cannot treat PTSD among these groups because there is no funding, no insurance, stigma, and ignorance about what trauma-informed treatments are. Medical policy must be on integrating trauma-informed PTSD treatments into the primary care system and into all other domains.

Policymakers should include the least expensive and most effective treatment methods, including trauma-informed models like CBT, in association with peer support, with a focus on improving the rate of participation and preventing a greater number of symptoms (Lewis et and, 2023 ). Additionally, continuous support for people of color or groups' programs for trauma recovery can be critical to maintaining equality concerns in the matter of service delivery and building trust with low-income communities. Collaboration between the policymakers and healthcare institutions is a must in improving the results of individuals who have endured trauma, as well as reducing the effects of not being treated to cure PTSD in the future. How successful it will be to change the way of treating PTSD is determined by the collaboration among health specialists, policy makers, and influential voices from the communities.

There is a need to base policy decisions quickly and have an equitable and fair funding system for mental health care that supports accessibility and provides appropriate services, culturally responding to people who are making no use of treatment for stress (Lewis & Co., 2023). The healthcare professionals are required to be trained to be attuned to the different cultural backgrounds impacting the expression of trauma and to give non-discriminatory treatment and be accessible to all. Equality of PTSD can only be achieved through continuous investment, policy enhancement, and professionals' training to restrict the gaps between the patients afflicted with PTSD.

Areas of Ambiguity

There are many questions still left unanswered on how best to implement the most effective methods in treating PTSD among veterans, especially those who live in rural and poor communities. The first is the effectiveness of the standard therapies used to treat trauma, such as PE and CPT. These treatments work when paired with telehealth care or in the clinics of VA centers. In spite of the growing accessibility of telehealth, however, there is no study on how it can have the same effect on treatment and adherence outcomes for those experiencing complex trauma encounters (Bernardy, as well, 2023). The second area of debate is that the long-term effects of peer mentorship programs are compared to traditional interventions.

Justification for Policy Development

The recommendation of implementing the PTSD policy seeks to fill voids in the area of mental health through enhanced accessibility and culturally appropriate practices, and dispensing expansive treatments. It calls upon the early recognition and proper management of PTSD to allow you to make use of trauma-based treatments such as CPT and PE. It also aims to improve the provision of treatment for mental illness among marginalized and remote communities (Bernardy and colleagues. The policy will be implemented in 2023. The policy addresses mental as well as physical obstacles to medical care, with the aim of reducing symptoms of chronic illness and preventing the development of sickness, for instance, depression or alcohol. Peer mentoring programs and panels of interdisciplinarity provide a sensitive model of healthcare that is designed to be responsive to the needs of soldiers.

Peer support has been associated with increased satisfaction, as well as a decrease in stigma. Collaboration among health professionals could offer patients an expanded solution to the ability to regain control of their illness (Hall and colleagues, 2022). The added emphasis on the requirements of veterans and trauma-informed educational programs for all health professionals involved will improve PTSD treatments as well as increase confidence within the healthcare system. The successful PTSD policy needs to encompass evidence-based methods and flexible treatment strategies that are personalized according to the unique needs of each veteran (Hall and colleagues, 2022 ). The policy platform, comprised of the strategic utilization of sectoral collaborations, finance, as well as culturally sensitive methods, will ensure equal opportunity for medical treatment accessibility to veterans as well as mental health provision to those who suffer from the disorder. It also highlights culturally responsive practices, ensuring that the treatment programs will be adjusted according to the needs of the community in which they will operate. This will increase confidence and patient participation in treatments. Also, an interprofessional team approach ensures that the treatment is comprehensive and the patient's mental, physical, and social needs are met, which improves overall healthcare outcomes as well as lowering the cost of health care in the long term.

Other Perspectives

It's also important to understand that there may be people who could be vague about the effectiveness of the policy. Particularly in the medical sector, organizations may be concerned with training staff being expensive, implementing trauma-informed health care, or that it could impact already strained resources. Also, healthcare professionals can consider that stress on culture-specific competence may hinder the best quality of clinical care and that the strategy will not be suitable for all patients (Hall and colleagues. The implementation date is 2022.).Although these are valid concerns, it is worth considering the likely positive implications in the long run after making the decision to institute this policy, such as fewer incidents, fewer missed appointments, improved patient satisfaction, and better living conditions for those afflicted with mental illness, which may outweigh any cost of the upfront expenditure.

Advocacy for Policy Development in Other Care Settings

In order to maximize PTSD care, health systems should have policies in place to make treatment accessible, not only in VA clinics but also in the community, through primary care health professionals, as with rural health solutions. The adoption of trauma-informed care in health services that are community or primary care-based helps identify mental health issues at an earlier level, enhances the availability of proper treatment opportunities, and reduces issues resulting from the discrimination of veterans (Sayer & Co., 2020). Trauma-based strategy-promoting policies, as well as social support sharing in general medical environments, facilitate immediate and successful PTSD treatment of veterans. For example, in the emergency room, patients may be suffering from physical manifestations of their PTSD, like sleeplessness or chronic pain, and they may be inappropriately diagnosed and blamed for other conditions. Instituting universal screening for PTSD patients and equipping staff with what they need in terms of equipment and training to administer an adequate treatment that is trauma-informed can reduce the likelihood of error, which can produce better results and successful treatment (Sayer & Co., 2020).

Likewise, outpatient facilities as well as longer-term care centers where patients suffering from PTSD may have other chronic conditions, would benefit from an integrated mental health model, which would provide more comprehensive care with less complexity. The massive uptake of these regulations in medical facilities will ensure that veterans get a reliable and effective treatment option regardless of the medical facility they get medical attention from or if their healthcare provider is one they negotiate with or not. The policy-making coordination among experts in mental health and other government bodies, as well as veterans' organizations, will develop an integrated system of assistance to cure PTSD based on medical as well as social needs (Sayer & Co., 2020). Cooperation and coordination will help eliminate barriers to the treatment of PTSD and reduce stigma surrounding it, as well as increase access to a wide range of healthcare services to individuals found in communities where medical care is not available. Challenges That Might Be Encountered. There are several challenges that make it difficult to develop a fair PTSD policy for the treatment of veterans.

Potential Challenges

Many obstacles make it difficult to develop fair PTSD policy for treating veterans. They include the absence of funds for the treatments in the area of mental health, aswell the lack of provider training regarding practices founded on trauma, as well as the persisting stigma that comes with stigmatization of mental illness in military communities. Veterans who are from marginalized or rural communities also have to contend by additional issues like issues with transport, access to technology gap, and the absence of health care professionals who have expertise that is culturally relevant (Resnik and other. span> 2023 ).> These issues in the system can prevent prompt diagnosis and complete treatment, which raises the chance of suffering from chronic illness as well as co-morbid diseases. In order to address these problems it is imperative to continue investing in education for providers and the telehealth service that is extended, and policies to promote diversity and equality with regard to treatment for mental illness.

Interprofessional Collaboration for Efficient and Effective Outcomes

They include the unavailability of funds for the provision of such treatments in the area of mental health, the unavailability of training of providers in trauma-based practices, and the persistence of stigma that is linked to stigmatization of mental illness within military cultures. Veterans from marginalized or rural communities must also contend with added issues like transport concerns, technology disconnect in access, and insufficient health care professionals who share culturally appropriate skills (Resnik et al.> 2023 ). These issues within the system will inhibit early diagnosis and complete treatment, which makes it more likely to suffer from chronic illness and co-morbid illnesses. To handle these issues, one must continue investing in the education of the providers and the telehealth service that is being offered, and diversity and equity policies towards the treatment of mental illness. Interprofessional Collaboration for Effective and Efficient Outcomes A successful PTSD treatment and support program for veterans requires operating in collaboration with mental health professionals like primary care doctors alongside social workers who are peer support specialists, and an electronic health coordinator.

With psychosocial treatment that is coupled with trauma and attentive monitoring of physical health and aiding with social connection difficulties, this comprehensive program is designed to meet the needs of numerous veterans who do not get the kind of proper care they need (Peterson and colleagues, 2021). Mental health clinicians provide evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Processing Therapy, and the physicians monitor the most prevalent physical issues normally associated with PTSD. Social workers assist the veterans in achieving employment, housing, and other benefits. Peer support plays a critical role in diminishing stigma as well as improving treatment participation. Through the coordination of health care, care coordinators enable the provision of necessary health care to veterans who live in rural areas and are not well served. The NURS FPX FPX-6026 Assessment 3 Care coordination Collaboration among care providers enhances collaboration, reduces dispersion of care, and guarantees that the treatment process is individualized towards the patient's needs. The use of tools like SBAR guidelines for team training, communication, and teamwork improves effectiveness and coordination of treatment (Peterson and colleagues, 2021). Based on the social, in addition to clinical needs, the team management model addresses symptom management as well as outcomes and quality of life for mental health care, particularly for veterans. The staff is engaged in designing a treatment plan that is sensitive to the needs of patients and systemic constraints and flexible and pragmatic in nature so that the plan meets actual-world needs and enhances the equity of health care and outcomes of high quality.

Areas of Ambiguity

Areas of Ambiguity The most difficult task of creating PTSD guidelines for treating PTSD is determining who's accountable and where various healthcare workers' roles fit into delivering effective and consistent treatment. Inconsistencies in their roles, such as how the work of social workers, primary care physicians, and psychiatrists is required to be done and how they are expected to collaborate, can result in duplication or inefficiency in treatment or even failure of treatment (Saladino & Co., 2022). Moreover, there are questions about how effective the combined peer support and telehealth interventions are for PTSD programs, particularly those who reside in rural or underserved areas. Standardized procedures and measurable outcomes that are able to evaluate the efficacy of such therapies need to be designed in order to guarantee consistent and high-quality treatment.

Conclusion

The identification of NURS' conclusion of FPX 6026 3 and treatment of PTSD in the unreached communities by an educated, culture-sensitive, trauma-sensitive, and enlightened policy with the support of an interdisciplinary team is essential to bridge the gap of treatment for mental illness, and enhance the efficacy of treatment. In unifying views from mental health experts and physicians, as well as social workers, managers, and others, the policy ensures a comprehensive, equal, fair, and equitable treatment approach. Defy constraints such as funding limits, patient engagement, and quantifying results, and these are achievable via joint planning and strategic thought as well as continuous monitoring.
Regards,
Melody MC

References

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Resnik, J., Miller, C. J., Roth, C., Burns, K., & Bovin, M. J. (2023). A systematic review of Department of Veterans Affairs mental healthcare access programs to Veterans with PTSD. Military Medicine, 189(5-6). https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usad376.

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