Develop a scholarly paper that addresses the following criteria:
State the selected bill including the bill number and title. The bill is listed below
Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, S. 4260 Type of Bill: Federal Bill Number: S. 4260 Title: Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act
Identity the area of concern or issue clarifying the underlying and related concerns.
Describe the background of the area of concern or issue – assess economic, legal, and regulatory processes that prompted the writing of the bill
Identify all direct and/or indirect stakeholders and stakeholder position on the area of concern.
Identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) to the bill.
Evaluate how issues in the bill will affect stakeholders at an institutional, local, state, and/or federal level.
Using the Essentials of Masters Education, propose two ways the masters prepared nurse leader can act as a change agent, contribute to the policy-making process, and advocate for quality, cost-effective care.
The scholarly paper should be in narrative format, 5 to 6 pages excluding the title and reference page.
Include an introductory paragraph, purpose statement, and a conclusion.
Include level 1 and 2 headings to organize the paper.
Write the paper in third person, not first person (meaning do not use we or I) and in a scholarly manner. To clarify: I, we, you, me, our may not be used. In addition, describing yourself as the researcher or the author should not be used.
Include a minimum of five (5) professional peer-reviewed scholarly journal references to support the paper (review in Ulrichs Periodical Directory) and be less than five (5) years old. Instructor can revise these guidelines to include websites.
APA format is required (attention to spelling/grammar, a title page, a reference page, and in-text citations).
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act: An Analysis
Introduction
The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, designated as Bill S. 4260, is a pivotal piece of legislation aimed at enhancing the education and training of healthcare professionals in the fields of palliative care and hospice services. This paper will explore the underlying concerns that prompted the formulation of this bill, assess the economic, legal, and regulatory contexts surrounding it, identify the stakeholders involved, evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) associated with the bill, and propose strategies for nurse leaders to act as change agents within this legislative framework.
Purpose Statement
The purpose of this paper is to provide an in-depth analysis of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, focusing on its implications for various stakeholders in the healthcare system and exploring avenues for nurse leaders to influence policy-making processes in promoting quality care.
Area of Concern
The primary issue addressed by Bill S. 4260 is the critical shortage of trained professionals in palliative care and hospice services. As the aging population continues to grow, the demand for effective palliative care—focused on alleviating suffering and improving quality of life for patients facing serious illnesses—has intensified. The lack of adequately trained healthcare providers contributes to inadequate patient care, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life for patients and families during end-of-life transitions.
Underlying and Related Concerns
The pressing need for enhanced training in palliative care is underscored by several factors:
1. Increasing Demand: According to recent studies, the number of individuals requiring palliative care is projected to rise significantly over the next decade due to demographic shifts and advances in medical technology that prolong life (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2020).
2. Insufficient Workforce: A report by the Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) highlights a significant shortage of trained palliative care providers, particularly in rural and underserved areas (CAPC, 2021).
3. Disparities in Care: Patients from diverse backgrounds often face additional barriers to accessing quality palliative care services, exacerbating health inequities within the healthcare system (Kelley et al., 2019).
Background of the Area of Concern
The economic landscape surrounding palliative care services reflects a growing recognition of the cost-effectiveness of early integration of palliative care into treatment plans. Studies have demonstrated that palliative care can lead to reduced hospitalizations and lower healthcare costs while improving patient satisfaction (Kumar et al., 2021).
Legal and Regulatory Processes
Legal frameworks at both state and federal levels have begun to recognize the importance of palliative care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded reimbursement policies for palliative care services, facilitating broader access for patients. However, gaps remain in education and training requirements for healthcare professionals, necessitating legislative intervention like S. 4260.
Stakeholders Involved
A wide array of stakeholders is involved in the discourse surrounding the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, including:
– Healthcare Providers: Physicians, nurses, social workers, and allied health professionals who require enhanced training to deliver effective palliative care.
– Patients and Families: Individuals facing serious illnesses who seek high-quality palliative care services to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
– Healthcare Organizations: Hospitals, hospices, and community health systems that must adapt their workforce capabilities to meet rising demands for palliative care.
– Policy Makers: Legislators and government agencies responsible for enacting laws that affect funding, education standards, and access to palliative care services.
– Advocacy Groups: Organizations such as the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) that advocate for policy changes and increased funding for palliative care training.
Stakeholder Positions
Stakeholders generally support the bill due to its potential benefits in addressing workforce shortages, enhancing patient care quality, and reducing disparities in access. However, some concerns may arise around funding allocations and implementation logistics.
SWOT Analysis of the Bill
Strengths
– Addresses a critical workforce shortage in palliative care.
– Promotes comprehensive training that enhances patient care quality.
– Aligns with national initiatives focused on improving end-of-life care.
Weaknesses
– Potential budget constraints that may limit program implementation.
– Lack of awareness or understanding among some stakeholders about the benefits of palliative care.
Opportunities
– Collaborations with educational institutions to develop robust training programs.
– Increased public awareness campaigns that promote the value of palliative care.
Threats
– Opposition from groups advocating for alternative models of care.
– Potential legislative hurdles that may delay or impede bill passage.
Impact on Stakeholders
The implications of the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act will resonate across multiple levels:
Institutional Level
Healthcare organizations will need to adapt their training programs to align with new standards established by this legislation. Institutions may also experience shifts in patient care protocols as they integrate more comprehensive palliative care services.
Local Level
Communities may benefit from improved access to trained providers capable of delivering quality palliative care. Local healthcare systems may also see reduced hospital admissions through effective symptom management.
State Level
States will experience enhanced workforce development initiatives, leading to improved health outcomes for residents requiring palliative care services. This legislation can also create opportunities for state-level funding initiatives.
Federal Level
At the federal level, this bill aligns with broader public health goals focused on improving health equity and ensuring high-quality end-of-life care across diverse populations.
Role of Masters Prepared Nurse Leaders
Masters-prepared nurse leaders play a crucial role in advocating for policy changes related to palliative care. Two ways they can act as change agents include:
1. Advocacy: Nurse leaders can engage in advocacy efforts by collaborating with professional organizations to raise awareness about the importance of palliative care education and training. Their voices can influence policymakers to prioritize funding for relevant programs.
2. Education Initiatives: Developing educational programs that emphasize the importance of palliative care within nursing curricula can enhance future nurses’ competencies. By integrating evidence-based practices into training, nurse leaders can prepare a workforce that is equipped to meet growing demands.
Conclusion
The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act represents a critical step toward addressing workforce shortages in palliative care while improving overall patient outcomes. By understanding the multifaceted issues surrounding this legislation—and recognizing the roles various stakeholders play—nurse leaders can significantly influence policy development and advocate for quality care. The passage of this bill has the potential not only to transform patient experiences but also to foster a more equitable healthcare system that prioritizes compassionate end-of-life care.
References
1. Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC). (2021). Palliative Care Statistics. Retrieved from CAPC website
2. Kelley, M. L., et al. (2019). Disparities in Accessing Palliative Care: A Systematic Review. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 58(5), 834-842.
3. Kumar, A., et al. (2021). Cost-Effectiveness of Palliative Care: A Systematic Review. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 1-15.
4. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Integrating Palliative Care into Clinical Practice. Washington D.C.: National Academies Press.
5. American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM). (n.d.). Advocacy Efforts. Retrieved from AAHPM website
(Note: The references provided are illustrative; actual research articles should be consulted based on current literature.)
