Allegory of the Orchard
The Allegory of the Orchard presents barriers and challenges of underserved, vulnerable, or marginalized populations and communities. These barriers and challenges highlight the importance of understanding the impact of political determinants of health on such groups. This allegory encourages an identification, understanding, analysis, and response to these factors as members of the healthcare community.
For this Discussion, consider the role of the political determinants of health on underserved, vulnerable, or marginalized populations and communities. How might advocates address the health disparities to promote equity and access to high quality healthcare?
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
Required Resources
· Dawes, D. E. (2020).
The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press.
· “Foreword (pp. ix–xi)
· Chapter 1, “The Allegory of the Orchard: The Political Determinants of Health Inequalities” (pp. 1–17)
· Porche, D. J. (2023).
Health policy: Applications for nurses and other healthcare professionals (3rd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
· Chapter 1, “Policy Overview” (pp.1–20)
· Chapter 6, “Healthcare Systems” (pp. 81–92)
· Walden University Oasis: Writing Center. (n.d.).
Citations: OverviewLinks to an external site.
.
· Walden University Oasis: Writing Center. (n.d.).
Common assignments: Discussion postLinks to an external site.
.
Media
· Satcher Health Leadership Institute. (2021, April 19).
The allegory of the orchard: The political determinants of health by Daniel E. DawesLinks to an external site.
[Video].
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 6 minutes.
· Satcher Health Leadership Institute. (2021, April 19).
The allegory of the orchard—part II: The political determinants of health by Daniel E. Dawes, part 2Links to an external site.
[Video].
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 7 minutes.
· Satcher Health Leadership Institute. (2021, February 2).
The political determinants of health: Jessica’s storyLinks to an external site.
[Video].
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.
·
Document:
Welcome to the DNP Program
Download Welcome to the DNP Program(PPT)
·
Document:
Welcome to the DNP Program Narrative
Download Welcome to the DNP Program Narrative(Word document)
To Prepare:
· View and read the Learning Resources regarding The Allegory of the Orchard.
· Consider the role of political determinants of health on disparities in health for some groups.
· Consider if advocates should be more concerned with policies that promote equality or equity.
· Explore your role, as a nurse, in addressing these determinants in our policy advocacy efforts.
By Day 3 of Week 1
Post a response detailing the following:
Use
The Allegory of the Orchard to discuss how the political determinants of health negatively impact the health outcomes of a group of patients for whom you care. Why are you, as a nurse, the right person to become politically involved in addressing these determinants?
RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION POST
D W F
The
Allegory of the Orchard is a metaphor that uses the orchard to represent a community and the trees symbolizing the health of individuals in that community. Just as the orchard needs good soil, water, and sunlight to thrive, so are the political and social conditions like healthcare access, social determinants of health, and economic stability are needed to impact health outcomes of a group of patients.
Medicaid and Medicare which are insurances that can be accessed or used by patients are influenced by political decisions that have restrictions which impacts the ability of some patients to quality for them. Federal budgets propose shifting costs to states which affects strained states and make them to cut public sector spending thereby negatively affecting population health (Fleming et al., 2020). These cuts may take away benefits from vulnerable populations making them to be unable to seek medical help when needed.
Healthcare facilities and providers are scarce in rural areas due to political priorities which affect the patients or population in those area. According to Dawes (2020), populations in rural areas struggle to obtain healthcare services and may experience disproportionate rates of chronic diseases. This can negatively affect the health of patients in these areas because they will have to travel for long distances for healthcare or may not even seek care.
Sometimes, funding for healthcare services can be affected due to economic policies which lead to cuts in fundings thereby leading to a reduction in services and a shortage in staff. For example, when budget cuts are made access to preventative care can be reduced leading to negative outcomes in the affected population. Also, the ability of patients to afford health insurance and meet their day-to-day needs can be affected by political decisions that are geared toward labor laws and how much they make. For example, making minimum wage can prevent the patient from paying for rent or mortgage, making healthy food choices, and increases stress levels which can lead to poor health outcomes among the affected population.
Why I am the right person to become politically involved in addressing these determinants?
As the orchard that needs tender care to reap its benefits, so is the DNP-prepared nurse is to her patients and community for the achievement of better health outcomes. I am the right person to become politically involved in addressing these determinants because I am at the forefront when caring for patients and have knowledge about the struggles that they have that may negatively impact their health. For example, nurses often gather and update patient data with each visit which helps them to know the needs (housing or difficulty obtaining medications or food) of the patients and help them to look for solutions in combating them. Nurses are encouraged to become politically involved in addressing determinants because they closely deal with patients and their families (Hajizadeh et al., 2021). As a result, I stand a better chance to add my voice to those that are already in existence in the hopes of politically making changes to some of the laws that are already in place or politically motivate new ones to benefit patients.
As an advocate for patients, taking part in political advocacy makes it possible to address systemic issues like the access to nutritious food, education, and safe housing that negatively impact the health of patients or a population. According to Dawes (2020), advocating in partnership with policy makers have helped in championing causes that would support health equity. Collaborating with professionals from the same or other disciplines fosters communication and a holistic approach to developing strategies that can positively influence policies that will be beneficial to the community. According to Alderwick et al. (2021), better results can be achieved by combining the skills and capabilities of experts.
In conclusion, nurses are better placed and have what it takes to influence policies or contribute to making changes that will not only benefit their patients but an entire community. This will help to reduce the political determinants of health that negatively impact the health of patients and especially those who are vulnerable. Interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary collaboration is encouraged in nursing to achieve optimal patient outcomes.
References
Alderwick, H., Hutchings, A., Briggs, A., & mays, N. (2021)
. The impacts of collaboration between local health care and non-health care organizations and factors shaping how they work: a systematic review of reviews.
BMC Public Health,
21(1), 1-16.
Dawes, D. E. (2020).
The political determinants of health. Johns Hopkins University Press
Fleming, P. J., Spolum, M. M., Lopez, W. D., & Galea, S. (2020). The public health funding paradox: How funding the problem and solution impedes public health progress.
Public Health Reports, 136(1), 10-13.
Hajizadeh, A., Zamanzadeh, V., Kakemam, E., Bahreini, R. & Khodayari-Zarnaq, R. (2021). Factors influencing nurses participation in the health policy-making process: A systematic review.
BMC Nursing, 20(1), 128.
