Reply to the threads of at least 2 classmates. Each separate reply must be at least 150 words. Each thread and reply must include at least 1 citation in the current APA format and at least 1 Scripture reference.
reply 1:In the 1990s ICN was one of the organizations that provided leadership that was needed to initiate telehealth programs (Nelson & Staggers, 2018, p. 133). The goal of the ICN eHealth Program is to use information and technology to bring scientific knowledge and well-informed practice to individuals, families, and communities with health-related needs (International Council of Nurses, 2021). This program seeks to advance the knowledge of nurses and advance their involvement in eHealth (International Council of Nurses, 2021). In 1996 the ICN launched their Leadership for Change program that aimed to boost the participation of nurses in healthcare policies (Ferguson et al., 2016). ICN is showing that nursing leaders can improve the health of the nations with the help of consumers and stakeholders (Ferguson et al., 2016). ICN allows for there to be an international standard to nursing practice, education, research, and evidence-based health and social policy change (Ferguson et al., 2016).
Through the ICN internship program I feel it would be beneficial if to help the ICS determine what quality health care looks like across different regions, what polices may need to be revised or amended because of what quality of care looks like in different regions, or if there needs to be polices in place to cover what the quality of care looks like in these regions. When working on polices we need to remember that nurses are not just bystanders in the policy and political arena, but they are the end users of these policies (Salvage & White, 2019). In helping to establish international standards we are working on making the end users job easier and more effective. To be successful at this internship I need to ensure that I understand the goals of the ICN and that my thoughts align with their goals.
It would be critical to include in my internship application any relevant experience with eHealth or eHealth tools, to include my experience with the design, implementation, or policy creation in relation to eHealth. I would also like to include any experience with developmental plans. The most important thing that I feel would need to be included on my application is my understanding of the ICN goals, strategic plan, and how I can contribute to those efforts.
We may all come from different backgrounds and cultures, but our end goal is to ensure the best patient care, whether that be person to person or via eHealth services. The Bible teaches us Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves (ESV, 2001, Philippians 2:3). By helping to create international standards to better the healthcare provided we are offering care that is more significant than ourselves. We are caring for our brothers and sisters and ensuring they receive they care they deserve.
Reply 2:
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is a nurses association that transform healthcare by leveraging information technology. ICN has a total of 136 members and was formed in 1899. If I were to obtain an internship at ICN, one of my personal goals would be to encourage collaboration between nurses and workers at ICN. Another goal would be to learn how ICN utilizes information technology is used to transform healthcare in the country. Nelson & Staggers (2018) note that ICN aims to transform nursing through the visionary application of information and communication technologies. Accordingly, I would be curious on knowing which technologies are mostly used by ICN to improve service delivery in healthcare. Moreover, I would investigate how the emergent field of telemedicine could be used in ICN to promote quality health care. Lastly, I would actively engage in research on global health and how healthcare can be made more affordable and accessible in the country.
Various factors hinder the successful adoption of eHealth in the country. Alsulame, Khalifa, & Househ, (2015) note that the health care sector is slow to adapt to changes in information technology when compared to other sectors of the economy due to the rigidity of medical practices. Besides, healthcare issues are overly sensitive and therefore changes require long and extensive research. The most common challenges that face eHealth are global interoperability, poor IT infrastructure, and the lack of worker training on information technology (Alsulame, Khalifa, & Househ, 2015). Accordingly, if I were to obtain an internship at ICN, the issue of global interoperability would be solved by encouraging collaboration between health care professionals in the country. The challenge of infrastructure would be solved by working with software developers and technicians to ensure that the IT infrastructure used in health care is flexible and effective. For instance, IT infrastructure should be integrated with electronic health records in hospitals. Lastly, I would advocate for the training of workers on modern concepts of information technology and how they can be utilised in healthcare.
Nelson & Staggers (2018) argue that eHealth is the ability to seek, find, understand, and appraise health information from electronic sources and apply them to knowledge gained to addressing or solving a health problem. Accordingly, I would ensure that fellow workers in ICN understand the concepts of eHealth and how they can be applied in healthcare. Lastly, I would emphasize the need for collaboration and teamwork in the nursing profession. The bible also talks about the need for people to collaborate in Hebrews (10:24-25) which says And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
