For health care providers, changes in governmental policies, local and national economics, and the need to integrate new technologies, tests, and procedures can all impact the financial situation of an organization. In addressing financial issues, a myriad of factors must be considered, such as the varying objectives of those providing care, resource availability, the population being served, and the implementation of government policies. As a nurse manager, you must consider the potential positive and negative impacts of new trends on your organization and all its stakeholders.

In this Discussion, you evaluate how emerging trends in the health care field impact health care decisions for patients, doctors, and nurses.

To prepare:

• Review the Learning Resources for this week, focusing on the role of nurse managers in making financial decisions.
• Conduct additional research in the Walden Library and other relevant sources, to identify three emerging trends that are affecting health care today.
• Select one trend to discuss in detail and evaluate its implications for the delivery of care from the perspective of doctors, nurses, and patients.
• Reflect on how this trend might impact quality of care.

By Day 3

Post a brief description of three emerging trends that are affecting health care today. Evaluate the implication of one of these trends on the delivery of health care from the perspectives of doctors, nurses, and patients. Explain how this trend might impact the quality of care.

Baker, J. J., Baker, R. W., & Dworkin, N. R.  (2018). Health care finance: Basic  tools for nonfinancial managers (5th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones and  Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 2, “Four Things the Healthcare Manager Needs to Know About Financial Management Systems” (pp. 11–20)
This chapter focuses on the overall financial management system within an organization and identifies the basic system elements.

Zelman, W., McCue, M., & Glick, N. (2009). Financial management of health care organizations: An introduction to fundamental tools, concepts, and applications (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Chapter 1, “The Context of Health Care Financial Management” (pp. 1–23)
This chapter offers differing perspectives on the causes of a “health care system in distress.” The chapter explores the factors behind rising health care costs, the efforts to control costs, and the ethical issues that affect both.
Note: This eBook is accessible through the Course Readings List located in the Course Materials section of the Syllabus.

Sanford, K. (2011). The case for nursing leadership development. Health care Financial Management, 65(3), 100–104, 106. 
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article details the costs of ineffective management and leadership to a health care organization. Management and leadership are defined as “a discipline” and “an art,” requiring commitment to the organization’s goals, to the team, and to the patient.

Waldman, D. (2014). The health of healthcare, part V: Is the very freedom of providers at risk? The Journal of Medical Practice Management: MPM, 29, (6), 366-368.
Reprinted by permission of Greenbranch Publishing via the Copyright Clearance Center.

This article discusses how U. S health providers lose their fiduciary responsibility to patients when compliant with the Affordable Health Care Act.

Studer, Q. (2010). Do your nurses speak finance? Health care Financial Management, 64(6), 80–84.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article discusses the importance of nurses understanding finance in a health care organization. The article stresses the importance of teaching clinicians the skills necessary to understand and make a difference in the current financial system of health care.