Identify and solve a healthcare problem. Assuming you have been listening to the news or following talk shows for the last 6 months (more like 2 decades), you know that healthcare is a key and contentious issue in America. There is no shortage of concerns, nor are there approaches on how to best solve them. (Some people call healthcare, from a problem standpoint, a target-rich environment.)

Executive summary: summarize the paper's main points for your reader. Explain succinctly the problem or issue you are writing about, along with a summary of your paper's main points. Include the solutions offered along with your identified best solution and plan and how it will solve the identified problem or issue.

Problem Statement: Identify and clearly state the problem that needs improvement or is not meeting expectations. Remember that what appears to be the healthcare problem or issue may actually be just a symptom of a bigger problem: Dig deep to be sure that you have identified the real problem or problems. If there appears to be more than one problem or issue, decide if they are separate or related issues. State the problem in the form of a single, clear problem statement (required). A problem statement contains and identifies the focus issue that the rest of the model addresses.

Constructing an adequate problem statement: Leaders and managers must be clear in their definition of an issue, concern, or problem to achieve an effective outcome. Decision making is not just about problem solving, but problem solving outcomes are often the measure of decision making. Although problem solving has many steps, the process depends upon an adequate definition of the problem. Keep in mind if outcomes have not been clearly articulated, those tasked with planning and implementing actions directed at achieving new outcomes will be less than efficient and effective, and managers will be unable to measure performance quality against new outcomes.

An effective problem statement should contain the following two elements: an adverse outcome and suggested causal factors.

Below are examples of an adverse outcome.

• Cost of healthcare is rising faster than inflation.
• Access to healthcare in rural areas is lower than in urban areas.
• Research indicates the quality of care in the United States has declined over the last 2 decades.

Below are examples of relevant factors to the above adverse outcomes.

• There is a greater use of unnecessary care, the uninsured are being provided care via the most costly delivery methods (emergency departments), or the cost of health insurance is rising.
• Rural areas lack sufficient numbers of healthcare providers, or rural areas lack specialists.
• Physicians do not spend enough time with patients to arrive at a correct diagnosis, or physicians perform unnecessary services that needlessly expose patients to less than high-quality outcomes.

Problem Analysis: This section should provide a detailed analysis of the causes of the problems or issues you identified in. To better understand the causes of the problems or issues. The purpose of this analysis is to make clear the focus issue.

Solution and Its Implementation: Outline your recommended solution to the problem or issue. State your solution clearly and specifically. Describe exactly what should be done; describe how it should be done, including by whom, with whom, and in what sequence; explain when actions should begin; and estimate cost and means of payment. List each bold and underlined word and then discuss (required).

Here are key points to keep in mind as you write this section.

• Have I indicated an awareness of the problem and of implementation (i.e., the what and how aspect)?
• Have I been specific enough ( i.e., when and cost)? (A specific solution will state what style is most appropriate for the situation and how you will attempt to the have the manager realize the appropriate style.)
• What aspects of the problem remain unresolved by my solution?
• Does my recommended solution and implementation plan address the problem or issues and causes identified in the previous sections?
• Does my solution consider and resolve the identified pros and cons?
• How will I evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented recommended solution?
• What process checks or procedures will I put in place to institutionalize the improvement?
• Could my solution cause other problems or issues?
• What risks are inherent in the solution I recommend?
• What contingency plans do I recommend?

Justification: Justify why your recommended solution and its implementation will solve the identified problem or issue in the organization or unit you have selected. An important element of this section is to show very clearly how you applied course concepts to arrive at a workable solution and a successful implementation. Apply appropriate course material; support your conclusions with appropriately referenced facts, quotes, and readings; and be sure your justification addresses identified pros and cons.

PLEASE CITE ALL REFERENCES!!