Methodology Challenges Faced When Studying Policymaking

The challenges faced when studying policymaking stem from the existence of diverse
methodologies and theories that are more ‘craft-oriented,’ as opposed to pure sciences (Engeli,
& Allison, 2017). Some of these challenges arise from the inability to identify measurable
objectives of a study, along with poor timing of the issue on political and macro-economic
environments (Gordon-Strachan et al., 2006). There has been a need for public policy to be an
independent discipline and not grouped with social sciences. The latter has forced researchers to
assemble concepts and conceptual frameworks as a means of distinguishing studies about policy
from other programs. According to Lasswell (1970), challenges facing methodological research
on public policy can be addressed using a multidisciplinary, mixed-methods approach, and
theoretical frameworks.
Policy Initiatives on Healthcare
The healthcare policy describes the decision and activities that need to be undertaken to
achieve specific healthcare objectives within a community. The policy further provides the
vision, mission, as well as short and long term objectives. The priority of activities to be carried
out are listed down together with the responsible parties (McGovern, Miller, & Hughes-
Cromwick, 2014). As stipulated in the ‘Affordable Care Act of 2010’, health literacy is of
significant concern when making plausible healthcare decisions (Woolf et al., 2016). Past studies
have linked healthcare literacy to positive patient outcomes, including reduced hospitalization,
lower need for emergency care, and a decline in mortality rate. However, addressing patient
literacy requires a systemic approach by both the healthcare personnel and the organizations
involved in inpatient care.

METHODOLOGY CHALLENGES FACED WHEN STUDYING POLICYMAKING 3

Current health care policies have been developed by the federal government to include
health literacy as part of practice in healthcare. This factor will address access to care, quality,
and cost. The ‘National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy’ has provided submissions that
require medical forms and public health publications to be documented in a ‘clear, concise, and
well-organized’ format (Koh et al., 2017). This will enhance the understanding of diverse
populace regardless of their age, culture, and language. The current policy also ensures that the
healthcare system probes patients to demonstrate skills of understanding doctors’ and nurses’
input as well as applying the provided health information. For instance, when ingesting drugs.
Methods Used to Measure Policy Outcomes
Several methods have been used to measure policy outcomes in healthcare. For example,
the relevance of intervention measures for the policy is mapped to show priorities and the needs
of the public within a particular region (Patton,2011). The efficiency of health outcomes will
depend on the qualitative and quantitative analysis of provided resources. Similarly, the impact
of the policy in terms of positive and negative deviations derived from policy intervention will
determine its success. The probability of sustaining the policy intervention will depend on
whether the changes in outcomes can be directly linked to the policy.
Possible Impact the Policy Will Have on Future Policy Making
The affordable care act of 2010 can set up strategies for the roll-out of the literacy
programs in various hospitals across the country. The law will reduce any potential barriers,
create opportunities, and provide incentives that promote literacy levels among the patients. The
trade-offs also present in this policy decision will determine the success of other healthcare
policies within the State.

METHODOLOGY CHALLENGES FACED WHEN STUDYING POLICYMAKING 4

References

Engeli, I., & Allison, C. R. (2017). Conceptual and methodological challenges in comparative
public policy. Comparative Policy Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137314154.0004
Gordon-Strachan, G., Bailey, W., Lalta, S., Ward, E., Henry-Lee, A., & LeFranc, E. (2006).
Linking researchers and policy-makers: some challenges and approaches. Cadernos de
saude publica, 22, S69-S76.
Koh, H. K., Berwick, D. M., Clancy, C. M., Baur, C., Brach, C., Harris, L. M. & Zerhusen, E.G.
(2017, August 2). New federal policy initiatives to boost health literacy can help the
nation move beyond the cycle of costly ‘Crisis care.’ Health
Affairs. https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2011.1169
Lasswell, H. D. (1970). The emerging conception of the policy sciences. Policy Sciences, 1(1),
3-14.
McGovern, L., Miller, G. & Hughes-Cromwick, P. (2014). Health Policy Brief: The Relative
Contribution of Multiple Determinants to Health Outcomes. Health Affairs. August 21,
2014. http://healthaffairs.org/healthpolicybriefs/brief_pdfs/healthpolicybrief_123.pdf
Patton, M. Q. (2011). Essentials of utilization-focused evaluation. Saint Paul, MN: Sage.
Woolf, S. H. et al., (2016). The Health of the States: How the U.S. States Compare in Health
Status and the Factors that Shape Health, Summary Report. Virginia Commonwealth
University’s Center on Society and Health and The Urban Institute. October
2016. http://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/85211/health-of-the-
states_1.pdf