NHS FPX 8002 Assessment 1 Demonstrating Effective Leadership
NHS FPX 8002 Assessment 1 Demonstrating Effective Leadership
Name
Capella university
NHS-FPX 8002 Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Learners
Prof. Name
Date
Demonstrating Effective Leadership
The United States has one of the highest maternal morbidity and mortality rates among developed nations, with the situation worsening in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2021 saw a 40% increase in maternal deaths compared to 2020, marking one of the most challenging years in U.S. history for maternal health outcomes (Hoyert, 2021). Racial and ethnic disparities significantly contribute to this crisis, with Black women facing a pregnancy-related death risk that is three to four times higher than that of white women (CDC, 2019). To address these issues, the CDC established Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (PQCs) to enhance healthcare processes and reduce maternal deaths. However, effective implementation of these programs requires strong leadership at the local level. This paper will explore strategies to improve Black maternal health in Palm Beach County, Florida, through a collaborative coalition, analyzing contributing factors and proposing targeted interventions.
Contributing Factors
The U.S. maternal mortality rate increased by nearly 20% in 2020, outpacing other developed nations (Johnson, 2022). Maternal mortality refers to deaths during pregnancy or within 42 days postpartum, excluding accidental causes (CDC, 2019). Leading medical causes of maternal death include blood clots, hypertension, and hemorrhage (Johnson, 2022). Black women are disproportionately affected, with maternal death rates three to four times higher than those of white or Hispanic women (Collier & Molina, 2017). Southern states, including Florida, report the highest maternal mortality rates, reflecting disparities in healthcare access and provider availability (Snyder et al., 2020). Despite socioeconomic and educational advances, disparities persist due to systemic issues, such as inadequate continuity of care, communication gaps, and perceived bias in healthcare systems (Wang et al., 2021). Many of these deaths are preventable and stem from conditions like cardiomyopathy and eclampsia, which disproportionately affect Black women (MacDorman et al., 2021). Structural barriers such as implicit bias, insufficient healthcare access, and systemic racism further compound these issues (Bravender, 2020).
Coalition to Address Maternal Morbidity
A coalition in Palm Beach County, Florida, has been established to address these maternal health disparities. The coalition comprises an Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Labor & Delivery Registered Nurse, Doula, and a representative from the Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc. This multidisciplinary team works to identify factors contributing to poor maternal outcomes and implement evidence-based strategies to improve patient safety and healthcare equity.
Issues Affecting Collaboration
Several challenges could hinder effective interprofessional collaboration, including communication gaps, role ambiguity, time constraints, biases, and leadership conflicts. Hierarchical differences among team members, such as obstetricians and midwives, may create tensions that undermine effective teamwork without trust and mutual respect.
Strategies to Optimize Collaboration
To foster a more effective coalition, roles should be clearly defined, shared goals established, and open communication prioritized (Downey et al., 2018). Ensuring equal participation in decision-making and forming partnerships with organizations addressing similar issues will help maximize the coalition’s impact.
Ethical Considerations
The coalition is committed to adhering to ethical principles such as respect, justice, equity, and beneficence. Beneficence emphasizes the need to address significant disparities to improve maternal outcomes, while justice calls for equitable healthcare access for Black women. To ensure ethical care delivery, anti-bias training and culturally sensitive practices are incorporated into the coalition’s approach (Varkey, 2021).
Collaboration, Diversity, and Inclusion
Addressing maternal health disparities is crucial not only for Black women but for the broader community as well. To effectively address this issue, a diverse and inclusive coalition is necessary. Research has shown that diverse coalitions are associated with higher success rates, as they foster environments that respect and integrate varied perspectives (Junk, 2019).
Literature Review to Address Maternal Morbidity
Community-informed models that focus on structural determinants of health show promise in addressing maternal health disparities. Evidence-based strategies such as diversifying the women’s health workforce, promoting cultural sensitivity in medical education, and enhancing interprofessional training are vital for achieving equitable maternal health outcomes (Julian et al., 2020).
Table: Summary of Key Aspects
| Category | Details | References |
|---|---|---|
| Contributing Factors | Racial disparities, inadequate access, implicit bias, and systemic racism | CDC, 2019; Johnson, 2022; MacDorman et al., 2021 |
| Coalition Composition | Multidisciplinary team addressing maternal outcomes | Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County, Inc.; Downey et al., 2018 |
| Strategies for Improvement | Community-informed care models, anti-bias training, cultural sensitivity | Julian et al., 2020; Varkey, 2021 |
References
Bravender, R. (2020). ‘It’s not fine.’ Black mothers and babies are dying in Florida. Florida Phoenix.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Pregnancy-related deaths.
Collier, A. Y., & Molina, R. L. (2021). Maternal mortality in the United States: Updates on trends, causes, and solutions. Neoreviews, 20(10), e561-e574.
Downey, L. M., Ireson, C. L., Slavova, S., & McKee, G. (2018). Defining elements of success: A critical pathway of coalition development. Health Promotion Practice, 9(2), 130-139.
Hoyert, D. L. (2021). Maternal mortality rates in the United States, 2021. NCHS Health E-Stats.
Julian, Z., Robles, D., Whetstone, S., Perritt, J. B., Jackson, A. V., Hardeman, R. R., & Scott, K. A. (2020). Community-informed models of perinatal and reproductive health services. Seminars in Perinatology, 44(5), 151267.
NHS FPX 8002 Assessment 1 Demonstrating Effective Leadership
Junk, W. M. (2019). When diversity works: The effects of coalition composition on success. American Journal of Political Science, 63(3), 660-674.
MacDorman, M. F., Declercq, E., & Cabral, H. (2021). Racial disparities in maternal mortality: A call for action. Journal of Women’s Health, 30(6), 799-805.
Snyder, L., Sederer, L., & Munn, L. (2020). Addressing maternal health disparities in the United States. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 26(4), 365-372.
Varkey, P. (2021). Ensuring quality and equity in maternal care. Journal of Healthcare Leadership, 13, 27-35.
Wang, Y., Lee, L., & Myers, R. (2021). Systemic inequities in maternal health: Bridging the gap. American Journal of Public Health, 111(7), 1180-1186.