Involvement In Policy Development Research Articles

How ready are nursing colleges to be integrated into higher education? A scoping review of influential factors

Background and aim: The integration of college-based nursing education into higher education has gained significant momentum worldwide. However, in countries where integration has not happened some nursing colleges continue to encounter challenges in their readiness for this process. The study aimed to identify and map the breadth of evidence available on the factors that influence the readiness of nursing colleges to transition into higher education.Methods: Databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Health Source Nursing Academic Edition, SCOPUS, Google scholar, and Educational Resources Information Centre were used. The review focused on literature published only in English from 1996 to 2021. Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework was used.Results: The search identified 1,408 publications; 23 of these met the inclusion criteria and were selected for full-text review. The following themes emerged: regulations and policies, recognition of nursing education, nurse educator roles, and financial considerations.Conclusions: The review’s findings revealed a need for clear policy frameworks to guide higher education integration and regulatory processes for nursing colleges. Becoming part of higher education improves nursing’s academic status, however, integration may give rise to challenges associated with the lack of educator involvement in policy development and integration plans, and unchanged funding arrangements. The repositioning of nursing colleges should take cognisance of lessons from other countries regarding integration readiness to ensure that change happens with minimal disruption and disharmony.

Nurses’ Involvement in Health Policy Development and Analysis: Examining the Perspectives of Nurse Managers

Introduction: Nurses make critical decisions that affect the lives of clients. This necessitates their involvement in health policy development to enhance the quality of care delivered to clients. However, only a handful of nurses get the opportunity to participate in developing policies that border on nursing. This study intended to discover nurse managers’ knowledge of policy formation, their involvement in health policy formulation, and the challenges they encounter in their quest to participate in policy formulation. Method: The study employed the qualitative approach with an exploratory descriptive design using individual interviews with 12 nurse managers purposively selected for the study. Results: The findings from the study indicated that nurse managers play an important role as major stakeholders in policy development since they work with nurses and clients. Also, disunity among nurses was identified as a major barrier to nurses’ involvement in policy development. Conclusions: The study reveals nurses' strong interest in policy involvement, hindered by perceived knowledge gaps, limited education access, and dominance of other professionals in policy roles. Addressing these challenges requires investing in education, political advocacy, and establishing a dedicated nursing unit for policy influence, supported by integrated policy education and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Understanding EU Fisheries Management Dynamics by Engaging Stakeholders through Online Group Model-Building

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) has a challenging mandate to find the right policy mix to simultaneously achieve all three aspects of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental. But development and implementation of an effective and sustainable fisheries management policy has been a challenge all over the world. The evidence of this failure is found in the continuous decline in fish stocks. Faced with the difficulty in fulfilling this mandate, the European Commission has increasingly been embracing fisheries stakeholders’ involvement. Stakeholder involvement in policy development and implementation is important because it tries to bring the relevant interested parties together, understanding and paying attention to what is important to each and every stakeholder, identifying the individual and common issues. This process in turn can foster connections, trust, confidence, and buy-in, and commitment for the implementation of the policy. This research describes a group model-building (GMB) approach using system dynamic methodology as a participatory model building tool, enabling stakeholders to become deeply involved in the identification and modelling of the complex issues faced by the EU fisheries. Given the geographical diversity of the stakeholders, GMB was applied online, both synchronously and asynchronously, providing participants time to carefully reflect on key variables, their relationships, and the behaviour of the overall system. The study demonstrated the need and relevance of an adequate engagement of the stakeholders, with online stakeholder consultation proving an effective method of engagement. Hence, the study is very relevant for both scientists and managers. The GMB process meant the final model evolved significantly from the initial one offered, which pointed to active involvement in and progressive learning from the modelling process itself, as the methodology argues. Two quantitative stock-flow models using actual numbers were built not only to aid the GMB process but to depict how all three aspects of sustainability could actually be met with the right set of policies that consider feedback loops and inherent trade-offs.

Converting threats from COVID-19 in long term care into opportunities for improvement

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on long term care (LTC) have been published in the literature and experienced by residents, their support persons and nursing staff. The morbidity and mortality, as well as the threats of isolation and psychosocial distress continue. Both LTC residents and staff experience physiological and psychological impacts. Nurses can use the current threats produced by the pandemic to advocate for alternate models of care and reduced isolation for residents. The pandemic is an opportunity for nursing advocacy in LTC for shared governance and empowerment, involvement in policy development, and oversight in policy implementation. Nurses are presented with the opportunities for advocacy related to resources and reshaping the paradigm of residential care for older adults.

A qualitative exploration of pharmacovigilance policy implementation in Jordan, Oman, and Kuwait using Matland\u2019s ambiguity-conflict model

BackgroundAs Arab countries seek to implement the ‘Guideline on Good Pharmacovigilance Practice (GVP) for Arab countries’, understanding policy implementation mechanisms and the factors impacting it can inform best implementation practice. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms of and factors influencing pharmacovigilance policy implementation in Arab countries with more established pharmacovigilance systems (Jordan, Oman), to inform policy implementation in a country with a nascent pharmacovigilance system (Kuwait).ResultsMatland’s ambiguity-conflict model served to frame data analysis from 56 face-to-face interviews, which showed that policy ambiguity and conflict were low in Jordan and Oman, suggesting an “administrative implementation” pathway. In Kuwait, policy ambiguity was high while sentiments about policy conflict were varied, suggesting a mixture between “experimental implementation” and “symbolic implementation”. Factors reducing policy ambiguity in Jordan and Oman included: decision-makers’ guidance to implementors, stakeholder involvement in the policy’s development and implementation, training of policy implementors throughout the implementation process, clearly outlined policy goals and means, and presence of a strategic implementation plan with appropriate timelines as well as a monitoring mechanism. In contrast, policy ambiguity in Kuwait stemmed from the absence or lack of attention to these factors. Factors reducing policy conflict included: the policy’s compliance with internationally recognised standards and the policy’s fit with local capabilities (all three countries), decision-makers’ cooperation with and support of the national centre as well as stakeholders’ agreement on policy goals and means (Jordan and Oman) and adopting a stepwise approach to implementation (Jordan).ConclusionsUsing Matland’s model, both the mechanism of and factors impacting successful pharmacovigilance policy implementation were identified. This informed recommendations for best implementation practice in Arab as well as other countries with nascent pharmacovigilance systems, including increased managerial engagement and support, greater stakeholder involvement in policy development and implementation, and undertaking more detailed implementation planning.

Existing NCD Monitoring and Surveillance Systems and its adaptability to Fiji’s context: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The United Nations high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases passed a political declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) prevention and control in 2011, emphasizing the great need for NCD surveillance including in Low-to-Middle-Income-Countries (LMICs). Method: A review of literature was conducted and set for full text citations published in English dated 1 January, 2007 to 31 August 2019. MESH terms or key words were selected from the following groups of generic terms: the following words “Health surveillance systems” and “NCD monitoring and surveillance system”. The literatures were tabulated according to the authors, date that was published and which journal, the title of the study, the surveillance design and their recommendations. The 13 articles that were identified, only one was conducted in a developing country while the rest were conducted in high income countries. Results: 60% of the NCD surveillace system reviewed use passive surveillance, 30% uses passive assisted sentinel surveillance and 10% use passive assited spatial surveillance. Based on countries surveillance system there was an equal distribution on involvement in policy development (33%), behavioural risk associated aggregates (33%) and intergrated health information System (33%).Through intense review, passive assisted sentinel surveillance was mostly practiced and the use of spatial surveillace in this context for interregional comparisons of specified diseases. Conclusion: There was less evidence on surveillance in LMIC but the following surveillance systems were identified as essential for Fiji’s proposed NCD surveillance system. This study suggest that a probable surveillance system that can be adopted by Fiji is a passive assisted sentinel surveillance system enhanced with Spatial data. Further consultation and a feasibility study can be proposed as a way forward for this study findings.

The policy and practice of apartment provision: a test case for Australia’s New Urban Agenda

Despite the low-density form of Australian cities, metropolitan planning policies have long supported urban consolidation and residential densification, with the objective of achieving a more sustainable urban form. However, recent high levels of apartment development, especially in the capital cities, have failed to deliver the social and environmental advantages anticipated from providing higher density housing in established areas. Instead, rapid densification has occurred alongside, and is directly related to, a substantial decline in the affordability of housing for rent and purchase, and spatial polarisation of housing markets.Drawing upon the author’s direct involvement in policy development and regulatory reform, the paper provides a detailed investigation of the policy, governance and regulatory frameworks for apartment development in Australia’s major cities, and the specific attempts in recent years to reform these to achieve better outcomes. The research uses Ball’s ‘structures of housing provision’ framework of housing systems analysis to offer a unique contribution to the literature on urban sustainability transitions.The paper finds that apartments represent a persistent problem for Australian planning and, furthermore, that resolving this problem will be critical to managing Australia’s transition to urban sustainability, while improving access to quality, affordable housing. Relevant strategies and successful points of intervention are identified.Apartments as a development type pose a unique set of challenges for planning and other regulatory systems. Recent proliferation of apartments has highlighted the contingent nature of existing development controls, which have evolved in conjunction with market processes and established structures of housing provision, principally suburban housing growth. Apartment development presents a challenge to this established model, akin to the challenge that integrated sustainable development represents for planning systems as a whole. This paper provides a framework for understanding emergent pathways from the current impasse and some practical directions.

Is there space for politics in the environmental bureaucracy? Discretion and constraint in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment

This paper examines how bureaucrats exercise discretion in an environmental bureaucracy. Drawing upon interviews, documentary evidence, and time spent within Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment during 2016–2017, I examine the contours of bureaucratic discretion exercised in relation to freshwater policy development and implementation support. Bureaucrats make consequential choices about the design of implementation projects, strategically coordinate civil society involvement in policy development, and set organizational objectives that are not inconsistent with the formal policy positions of the government, while exceeding these positions at the same time. Discretionary politics take different forms across the organisation, and careful legitimation is needed to narrate any specific action as authorized by enabling legislation or differently scaled objectives of the bureaucracy. While discretionary action can reinforce dominant patterns of political-economic power, discretionary activities can also subvert these patterns, and sometimes, intentionally so. Looking for a plurality of intentions and practices behind putatively neoliberal language can reveal frontiers for formulating and engaging in an environmental bureaucratic politics.

Institutional innovations in public participation for improved local governance and urban sustainability in India

BackgroundImproving urban governance is an imperative for India, with its accelerated rate of urbanization, distrust of government, and inadequate public involvement in policy development and decision-making. Deliberative democracy initiatives in other parts of the world, and similar experiences in rural India have demonstrated their effectiveness at resolving complex issues with decisions that are acceptable to constituents, and are seen to be in the public good.ResultsLearnings are drawn from two cases of action research in Pune, India about achieving inclusion and deliberation in public engagement efforts, and their influence on public decision-making. The stratified and complex socio-economic and political context in India, power imbalances, inadequacy of decentralized governance structures, and information for civic decision-making makes public engagement challenging. From this experience, we inductively developed a potential framework for good governance, of deliberative democracy initiatives (induced participation), inclusive civil society (organic and invented) participation, overseen by an independent third party. It is contended that such a framework can enable city governments, in India and elsewhere, to resolve complex urban sustainability challenges with more implementable decisions.ConclusionsBased on what was learnt from the Pune case studies, this article suggests that a combination of leaders willing to pioneer good governance, capable third-party facilitators, and strong organic participation groups working together through the structured approaches of deliberative democracy can effectively integrate the public into civic decision-making. However, to implement deliberative democracy in urban areas in India, the framework proposed will require advocacy at multiple levels. It will be critical to find ‘champions’ within political, administrative and civil society willing to pioneer deliberative democracy initiatives, to build professional capacity to conduct high quality deliberation, and to ensure the outcomes of such processes are influential. Good governance will rely on an ecosystem supporting such democratic renewal.

What restrains Ethiopian NGOs to participate in the development of policies for natural resource management?

By law, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Ethiopia are severely restricted in their activities towards policy development. In this study we explore to what extent these restrictions have affected NGOs in Natural Resource Management in the Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. We quantitatively analyzed 106 semi-structured questionnaires, in order to assess 1) the general characteristics of these NGO, 2) the role of NGOs in natural resource management, 3) the factors that constrain their activities, especially in relation to the proclamation, and 4) the cooperation between NGOs as well as other stakeholders. Results indicate that NGOs are mainly involved in policy implementation, including afforestation, forest management, and soil and water conservation. We find that a more active role in agenda setting and policy formulation is hampered by the 2009 proclamation, which explicitly restricts the role of Ethiopian Residence Charities/Societies (ERCS) and Foreign Charities (FC). Consistently, NGOs, as well as their donors, often avoid involvement in policy development, in fear of potential collusion with the government. In addition, NGOs listed legal and administrative barriers, poor networking and cooperation among NGOs, lack of capacity, lack of information, and a lack of clear role on policy issues as constraints for influencing policies for natural resource management. The extent to which these factors affect NGOs is dependent on their type and the source of their funding.

Multilevel population-based cross-sectional study examining school substance-misuse policy and the use of cannabis, mephedrone and novel psychoactive substances among students aged 11–16 years in schools in Wales

ObjectivesTo examine whether young peoples’ risk of cannabis, mephedrone and novel psychoactive substances (NPS) use is associated with school substance-misuse policy.DesignA cross-sectional survey of secondary school students combined with a...

A national public health programme on gambling policy development in New Zealand: insights from a process evaluation

BackgroundIn New Zealand, a public health programme on gambling policy development is part of a national gambling harm reduction and prevention strategy mandated by the Gambling Act 2003. Funded by the Ministry of Health, the programme directs workplace/organisational gambling policies, non-gambling fundraising policies, and local council policies on electronic gaming machines (EGMs). We carried out a process evaluation of this programme to identify practical information (e.g. advocacy approaches; challenges and ameliorating strategies) that can be used by programme planners and implementers to reinforce programme effectiveness and serve to guide similar policy-focused public health initiatives elsewhere.MethodsEvaluation criteria, based on the programme’s official service specifications, guided our evaluation questions, analysis and reporting. To identify informative aspects of programme delivery, we thematically analysed over 100 six-monthly implementer progress reports (representing 3 years of programme delivery) and transcript of a focus group with public health staff.ResultsIdentified output-related themes included purposeful awareness raising to build understanding about gambling harms and the need for harm-reduction policies and stakeholder relationship development. Outcome-related themes included enhanced community awareness about gambling harms, community involvement in policy development, some workplace/organisational policy development, and some influences on council EGM policies. Non-gambling fundraising policy development was not common.ConclusionsThe programme offers an unprecedented gambling harm reduction approach. Although complex (due to its three distinct policy focus areas targeting different sectors) and challenging (due to the extensive time and resources needed to develop relationships and overcome counteractive views), the programme resulted in some policy development. Encouraging workplace/organisational policy development requires increased awareness of costs to employers and society and appreciation of policy value. Although encouraging non-gambling fundraising policies will likely remain challenging, public debate on ethical aspects could stimulate policy consideration. Influencing council EGM policy decisions will remain important for minimising EGM accessibility among vulnerable communities. Public involvement in EGM policy decisions has strong implications for policy effectiveness. Given the expanding range of gambling activities (including online gambling) presently accessible to communities worldwide, both organisational and public policies (as advocated through the programme) are needed to minimise gambling harms.

Understanding the Need for Obesity Prevention Counseling among Homeless Patients

ABSTRACTThough many studies have examined the level of physician obesity prevention counseling among the general population, little is known about how homeless patients are advised about healthy eating and physical activity by their health care provider. The homeless are an at-risk population with whom physicians and other health professionals can play a vital role in helping them to be healthy by means of Health Education and involvement in policy development and advocacy. The purpose of this feature article is to review previous work conducted with the homeless that assesses their risk for obesity and other chronic diseases due to limited access to health care, as well as system-level barriers that lead to poor dietary and physical activity behaviors. The article then discusses the need for physician counseling among this population while integrating a socioecological framework and working across multiple systems when counseling homeless populations on nutrition and physical activity topics.

Experiences of midwives and nurses in policy development in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review protocol.

The objective of this review is to identify, appraise and synthesize the qualitative evidence on the experiences of midwives' and nurses' involvement in policy development in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This qualitative review seeks to address the following question:What are midwives' and nurses' experiences of being involved in policy development in LMICs?

In Search of the Third Eye, When the Two Others Are Shamefacedly Shut? Comment on "Are Sexual and Reproductive Health Policies Designed for All? Vulnerable Groups in Policy Documents of Four European Countries and Their Involvement in Policy Development".

Ivanova et al explored how vulnerable groups and principles of human rights are incorporated into national sexual and reproductive health (SRH) policies in 4 countries. They adapted the EquiFrame of Amin and colleagues of 2011, to SRH vulnerable groups which we believe could now be used for analysis of national SRH polices beyond those 4 countries. Although we fully agree with the authors' two main findings that vulnerable groups and human rights' principles are not sufficiently integrated in SRH policies nor granted the possibility to participate in the process of development in those four countries, we do believe that these shortcomings are not limited to those countries only nor to the identified vulnerable groups either. We are convinced that the issue of SRH as such is still framed within a very limited logic for all with vulnerable groups being perceived as an extra threat or an extra burden.

Nurses' Involvement in HIV Policy Formulation in Nigerian Health Care System

Background of study: Nigerian national policy on HIV stresses the need for the adoption of multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach in policy formulation, with the health sector taking the lead. This calls for collaboration among the various stakeholders including nurses in policy development initiatives to ensure that diverse health care needs and disciplinary perspectives are captured in HIV health policies. Purpose: This paper will present the findings of a recent study which examined nurse’s involvement in policy development in the context of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV in Nigeria. Methodology: A qualitative case study design under the guiding tenets of critical social and power theories. The research is a single case study of one state with embedded units. Thirty nurse-leaders from the various embedded units were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling technique. Semi-structured in-depth interviews and document reviews were used for data collection. Focus group discussions were used as a form of member-checking and also to generate data. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Results: This paper focuses on the major themes that emerged from the study as well as highlight specific interplay of power dynamics in the health care system which hinders nurse’s involvement in policy formulation. Conclusion: The paper concludes with some of the lessons learnt in the study and proffer suggestions for effective integration of nurses into policy arena. It suggests the need for a broad-based educational curriculum which will incorporate strategies to build nurses capacity for leadership and policy development in nursing training schools.

Policies and Processes for Social Inclusion: Using EquiFrame and EquIPP for Policy Dialogue Comment on "Are Sexual and Reproductive Health Policies Designed for All? Vulnerable Groups in Policy Documents of Four European Countries and Their Involvement in Policy Development"

The application of EquiFrame in the analysis of sexual and reproductive health policies by Ivanova et al to a new thematic area, their selection of only some of the Core Concepts of human rights in health service provision and the addition of new vulnerable groups relevant to the purpose of their analysis, are all very welcome developments. We also applaud their application of EquiFrame to policies in countries where it has not previously been used, along with their use of interviews with policy-makers to produce a deeper understanding of policy processes. We argue that clear justification for the inclusion of additional, or replacement of some exiting vulnerable groups within EquiFrame should be accompanied by clear definitions of such groups, along with the evidence-base that justifies their classification as a vulnerable or marginalised group. To illustrate the versatility of EquiFrame, we summarise a range of ways in which it has been used across a number of regions; including a brief Case Study of its use to develop the National Health Policy of Malawi. While EquiFrame focuses on policy content, we preview a new policy analysis tool - Equity and Inclusion in Policy Processes (EquIPP) - which assesses the extent of equity and inclusion in broader policy processes. Together, EquiFrame and EquIPP can be used to help governments and civil society ensure that policies are addressing the much stronger emphasis on social inclusion, now apparent in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Are Sexual and Reproductive Health Policies Designed for All? Vulnerable Groups in Policy Documents of Four European Countries and Their Involvement in Policy Development.

Health policies are important instruments for improving population health. However, experience suggests that policies designed for the whole population do not always benefit the most vulnerable. Participation of vulnerable groups in the policy-making process provides an opportunity for them to influence decisions related to their health, and also to exercise their rights. This paper presents the findings from a study that explored how vulnerable groups and principles of human rights are incorporated into national sexual and reproductive health (SRH) policies of 4 selected countries (Spain, Scotland, Republic of Moldova, and Ukraine). It also aimed at discussing the involvement of vulnerable groups in SRH policy development from the perspective of policy-makers. Literature review, health policy analysis and 5 semi-structured interviews with policy-makers were carried out in this study. Content analysis of SRH policies was performed using the EquiFrame analytical framework. The study revealed that vulnerable groups and core principles of human rights are differently addressed in SRH policies within 4 studied countries. The opinions of policy-makers on the importance of mentioning vulnerable groups in policy documents and the way they ought to be mentioned varied, but they agreed that a clear definition of vulnerability, practical examples, and evidences on health status of these groups have to be included. In addition, different approaches to vulnerable group's involvement in policy development were identified during the interviews and the range of obstacles to this process was discussed by respondents. Incorporation of vulnerable groups in the SRH policies and their involvement in policy development were found to be important in addressing SRH of these groups and providing an opportunity for them to advocate for equal access to healthcare and exercise their rights. Future research on this topic should include representatives of vulnerable communities which could help to build a dialogue and present the problem from multiple perspectives.

From evidence to action: health promotion and alcohol.

Preventing alcohol-related harm presents a range of challenges including those related to political will, competing interests with disproportionate resources, and embedded drinking cultures. On the other hand there are opportunities for health promotion, including clear evidence on both the extent of the problem and evidence-based responses and growing community support for action. Australian researchers continue to contribute substantially to the international evidence base on alcohol, generating evidence for translation into effective programs and producing policy-relevant research on which action and advocacy can be based. Successes in other public health areas also provide useful models for public health approaches to alcohol. Those engaged in health promotion have often been required to do a lot with a little, including communicating health messages on a range of themes, countering industry activities that are contrary to good public health and involvement in policy development. Coalition approaches to alcohol related harm, including links with groups outside health, have recently gained momentum and show much potential. Alcohol issues are now firmly on the agenda of the public and decision-makers, and the alcohol industry has expressed clear concern at current levels of activity. This paper will consider briefly the nature of the challenge; evidence-based approaches; achievements and developments thus far; challenges and obstacles; and the role of health promotion and the health promotion workforce.

Moving towards the greater involvement of nurses in policy development

Moving towards the greater involvement of nurses in policy development