Leadership in Health Policy: There's an App for That

Sakraida, Teresa J.

Monday, 18 November 2013

Teresa J. Sakraida, PhD, RN
College of Nursing, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO
Susan J. Person, BA, BSN, RN
University of Colorado College of Nursing Graduate Student, The Medical Center of Aurora, Aurora, CO

Learning Objective 1: describe the usefulness, strengths, and limitations of smart technology applications for devices in leading health policy change

Learning Objective 2: observe the use of one application to track and respond to health policy

Leadership involves advocacy and responding to health policy issues in a timely and expedient way. All health care professionals, particularly nurses who comprise the largest health care workforce, can use their meaningful patient care stories to shape health policy. Such stories of care experiences are opportunities to enhance public awareness of a health care issue and subsequently influence larger transformations of the health care system. The use of technology applications, referred to as smart apps simplify the process of health policy engagement for leaders and leaders-to-be.

The telephone has become a Smartphone with features that are above and beyond the simple ability to make calls. As technology has evolved, other devices such as tablets have become smarter as well. Mobile apps, include various kinds of applications, and are purchased or free with installation by phone users. Apps are downloaded and installed from Google® Play and the App Store.

Useful applications for health policy watching include news feeds, policy maker contact with bill tracking, and policy blogs. Featured selected free smart apps for devices include Congress, Politico, and news applications. In particular, a demonstration of the Congress app highlights how to follow legislation and communicate with policy makers. Examples of news applications are shown.

The strengths of apps include a short learning curve, ease of use, and access to real-time information that allows nurses to take action. Limitations include difficulty in mastery. Barriers in usage include less familiarity by the user with application use on devices, using an older device, and feeling overwhelmed with numerous app choices.

Health policy related apps offer immediacy in legislative tracking and increases opportunity of nurses to take the lead in trending health policy. From an educational perspective the inclusion of mobile apps offers an innovative learning activity for advancing health policy leadership behaviors.

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