Societal Issues in Healthcare: Why Everyone Should Care

Societal Issues: The Hidden Crisis We All Face Every Day!

Access to Resources

Access to resources is one of the most challenging societal issues affecting various groups, especially marginalized populations. APRNs and healthcare providers often confront dilemmas related to unequal access, especially in underserved communities. The tension between cost-efficiency and providing quality care creates ethical challenges for practitioners who aim to deliver patient-centered care despite limited resources.

Reference: World Health Organization

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Cost of Healthcare and APRNs’ Role

The escalating costs of healthcare in the U.S. continue to burden both the system and the individuals in need of care. According to Anderson et al. (2019), U.S. healthcare spending is unsustainably high. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) often act as the bridge between clinical care and administration, advocating for quality care that doesn’t come at a high cost. Reducing barriers, such as scope of practice limitations for APRNs, could help reduce overall healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes.

Healthcare professionals, particularly APRNs, are well-positioned to address societal issues within healthcare. Their involvement can lead to increased access and improved care for those most affected by high costs and systemic inefficiencies.

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Social Justice in Healthcare

Another significant societal issue is the challenge of ensuring equitable access to healthcare. Milionis (2013) highlights how economic hardship can cripple a healthcare system, affecting the fair distribution of resources. These challenges are even more pronounced in developing countries, where healthcare resources are often severely limited. This scarcity forces healthcare providers to make difficult decisions about who receives care and who does not, creating moral and ethical dilemmas. APRNs, particularly those practicing in resource-poor settings, must balance the immediate needs of patients with long-term resource allocation.

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Equitable Distribution of Resources

Scarcity of healthcare resources often results in unequal distribution, creating further societal issues. This inequity is seen most acutely in underserved areas and among vulnerable populations. In both developed and developing countries, access to healthcare can differ significantly based on socio-economic status, location, and other demographic factors. APRNs, due to their advanced training and clinical expertise, often find themselves at the forefront of this challenge, tasked with providing equitable care despite the systemic obstacles.

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Healthcare Inequality: A Pressing Issue

Healthcare inequality is one of the most critical societal issues today. Social determinants such as income, education, and access to healthcare services create disparities that can lead to worse health outcomes for marginalized populations. APRNs have been recognized as essential players in addressing healthcare inequality by serving underserved populations and promoting access to high-quality care. As healthcare costs continue to rise, APRNs are increasingly tasked with delivering cost-effective solutions that do not compromise patient care.

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APRNs as Honest Brokers

In a system fraught with resource allocation conflicts, APRNs may serve as “honest brokers,” facilitating fair distribution of limited resources while ensuring quality patient care. A report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation suggested that achieving reduced healthcare costs and improved quality will require committed players across healthcare, including APRNs, to mediate and guide decisions about resource allocation (Conrad et al., 2014).

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APRNs and the Global Healthcare Context

On a global scale, societal issues such as access to care, resource distribution, and healthcare inequalities are pressing concerns. Harrowing & Mill (2010) noted that APRNs working in low-resource areas face ethical dilemmas related to the scarcity of healthcare resources. Providing fair and equitable healthcare in regions with limited access to essential medical services requires creativity and a broad set of patient management strategies, which APRNs are well-equipped to deliver.

Societal Issues in Healthcare: Why Everyone Should Care

Ethical Challenges in Resource Allocation

Resource allocation often presents ethical challenges for healthcare providers. APRNs, in particular, face daily decisions that affect how resources are distributed among patients. For example, a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) might have to assign patients during a staffing shortage, or a family nurse practitioner (FNP) might struggle to secure a timely specialty consultation for a patient (Bodenheimer & Grumbach, 2012).

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Underinsured and Uninsured Patients

One of the most visible societal issues in healthcare is the growing number of underinsured and uninsured individuals. APRNs, such as acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs), are often on the frontlines, caring for patients who face financial challenges that limit their access to necessary medications and treatments. As Garfield et al. (2016) explain, APRNs use creative solutions to manage care for these patients, but systemic change is needed to address the root cause of the problem.

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Ethical Tensions in Population Health

APRNs are increasingly required to consider the health of entire populations while providing individualized care. This presents a societal issue where the focus must shift from patient-centric care to broader, community-based approaches. Balancing population health considerations with individualized patient needs is one of the most significant challenges facing healthcare professionals today (Salvage & White, 2019).

FAQ on Societal Issues

What are the main societal issues in healthcare? Healthcare costs, unequal access to resources, and healthcare inequalities are the most pressing societal issues in healthcare today. APRNs play a crucial role in addressing these issues by promoting equitable access to care and finding cost-effective solutions.

How do APRNs contribute to addressing societal issues? APRNs often act as mediators between clinical care and administration, working to balance cost control with patient-centered care. They also serve underserved populations, providing innovative care solutions for patients facing financial barriers.

Why is access to resources considered a societal issue? Access to resources is considered a societal issue because it affects how healthcare services are distributed. Limited resources lead to inequities, which in turn affect health outcomes, particularly for underserved populations.

How do ethical dilemmas in healthcare relate to societal issues? Ethical dilemmas arise when healthcare providers must make difficult decisions about resource allocation, treatment plans, and patient care in the context of limited resources. These dilemmas are central to the broader societal issue of fair and equitable access to healthcare services.