NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation Sample

Sample Answer for NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation Sample Included After Question

Program/policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.

Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.

To Prepare:

  • Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources.
  • Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you.
  • Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.

The Assignment: (2–3 pages)

Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:

  • Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes.
  • How was the success of the program or policy measured?
  • How many people were reached by the program or policy selected?
  • How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?
  • At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?
  • What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?
  • What specific information on unintended consequences was identified?
  • What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.
  • Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?
  • Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?
  • Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation.

By Day 7 of Week 10

Submit your completed healthcare program/policy evaluation analysis.

Submission and Grading Information

To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:

  • Please save your Assignment using the naming convention “WK10Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” as the name.
  • Click the Week 10 Assignment Rubric to review the Grading Criteria for the Assignment.
  • Click the Week 10 Assignment link. You will also be able to “View Rubric” for grading criteria from this area.
  • Next, from the Attach File area, click on the Browse My Computer button. Find the document you saved as “WK10Assgn+last name+first initial.(extension)” and click Open.
  • If applicable: From the Plagiarism Tools area, click the checkbox for I agree to submit my paper(s) to the Global Reference Database.
  • Click on the Submit button to complete your submission.
  • Due to the nature of this assignment, your instructor may require more than 5 days to provide you with quality feedback.

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation Sample

Title: NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation Sample

Program of Medicaid

Created in 1965, is a public insurance program. It is this program that assists in assuring low-income Americans in accordance with the Affordable Care Act. It is an entitlement” program, meaning that anyone who meets the eligibility requirements has the right to enroll in Medicaid coverage.

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The insurance program covers low-income individuals and families, including parents, children, pregnant women, people, and the elderly with disabilities; it is jointly sponsored by the states and the federal government. Each state administers its Medicaid program in accordance with federal guidelines (CBPP, 2020).

How was the program’s or policy’s success determined?

The success of the medic aide program was determined by its quality performance. The change in total coverage was calculated using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS), the Employer Insurance and Massachusetts Household Survey, and the Massachusetts Health Care Survey. The Health Connector discovered that the average rate of insurance coverage increased from a median of 93 percent in 2006 to 97-98 percent in 2011 as a result of state-level health reform. The Massachusetts Division of Finance and Health Care Policy reported that over 400,000 residents gained insurance between 2006 and 2010: 193,000 through Medicaid expansion (Mansur, Himmelstein, Keays, & Walsh, 2013). NURS 6050 Assignment: Evaluating a Healthcare Program’s Policy

How many people were impacted by the chosen program or policy? How much impact was achieved through the program or policy chosen?

As of 2019, an estimated 75 million Americans were enrolled in the Medicaid program. This is a significant increase from approximately 50 million ten years ago (Statista, 2019). It had a significant impact on the health care industry, which benefited, the federal budget, and the economy as a whole. The experience and knowledge gained from the extensive effects of Medicaid) are likely to have had a significant impact on any future major health insurance initiative as well.

NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation
NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation

What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation?

Assessing a Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation 

Healthcare programs or policies can be state-based, community-based, or at the organizational level. They are formulated to address specific health programs. Evaluation helps to determine healthcare programs’ effectiveness. In most cases, evaluation is progressive if the program or policy is continuous. It can also be done at different intervals depending on the objectives. The purpose of this program evaluation analysis is to examine the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program, whose main aim is to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. 

Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation  The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) program evaluation  
Description  The REACH program started in 1999 to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). It is a national program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Generally, the program’s recipients carry out extensive local and culturally appropriate programs to address a wide range of issues faced by racial and ethnic minorities such as African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians. The primary objective is to promote health disparities related to chronic illnesses, mental health, preventive health, and overall health coverage (Carratala & Maxwell, 2020). The program also seeks to improve healthy behaviors. 
How was the success of the program or policy measured? 

 

After a decade, the REACH had significant success as far as its targets are concerned. However, instead of evaluating the program generally, REACH uses data to evaluate the change in the health status of its target communities. For instance, it used data between 2014 and 2018 to assess the number of people it has helped access healthy foods, access to chronic health programs, and opportunities for physical activity. A progressive increase in the population it serves is the primary success indicator. 
How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected? 

 

 

The evaluation between 2014 and 2018 showed that millions of people have benefitted in various ways under the REACH program. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), over 2.9 million people had better access to healthy foods and beverages, while over 322,000 people benefitted directly from tobacco-free interventions. CDC further reported that about 1.4 million people got opportunities for physical activity, as over 830,000 people got access to chronic disease programs (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Using these reflection points, there is no denying that the impact of the REACH program cannot be underestimated. 

At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted?  The REACH program is continuous, where evaluation is done at different implementation points. In most cases, evaluation happens after the completion of a project at the community level. As illustrated in the various CDC reports, evaluation can be after a decade or after some years, depending on the element being assessed. 
What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation? 

 

Change in health behaviors was the reference data for the evaluation between 2001 and 2009. For instance, Hispanic taking medication for hypertension increased from less than half to more than two-thirds of the affected population. In the same period, vaccination rates for pneumonia increased from 50.5% to 60.5% in black communities (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). The other data is the impact across REACH communities through a 2009-2012 evaluation. The data examined reduction in smoking and obesity rates in REACH communities. 
What specific information on unintended consequences was identified? 

 

 

The program’s impact is huge as far as disparities’ reduction is concerned. However, impact evaluation showed that ethnic gaps continue being affected by societies, culture, and the environment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). As a result, REACH must use many strategies to address health gaps to ensure that health performance in ethnic and racial minorities reaches the desired state. 

What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.   

REACH partners with local health departments, community-based organizations, universities, and tribes. Respective partners were consulted during program evaluation to determine success and areas of improvement. On who would benefit from results and reporting of the program evaluation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be the primary beneficiary. CDC would use the report to examine the health performance in the minority groups as the basis of improving outcomes or using other interventions to supplement outcomes. 

 

 

 

 

Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not? 

 

 

To a huge extent, REACH achieved the original intent using the data from the different evaluations. CDC reports reveal significant community successes, including reducing chronic illnesses and unhealthy behaviors such as smoking as access to healthy food and beverages and physical health activities increases. 

Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not? 

 

 

I would recommend the program in my place of work. Firstly, health care organizations should partners with national and community-based organizations to reduce health disparities. Carratala and Maxwell (2020) reported that ethnic and racial minorities continue to be burdened by chronic illnesses and mental health problems. Since such illness burden at the communities has a domino effect in health care organizations, it is crucial to implement the REACH program to improve health outcomes in underserved populations.  

 

Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after one year of implementation. 

 

One way I could be involved in evaluating a program after one year of implementation is by being part of the evaluation committee. Here, I can share my knowledge on the reference points to consider when determining whether a program was a success or not. The other way is to avail information concerning the program by performing individual research. My information would guide on how to conduct a summative evaluation of the program. 
General Notes/Comments  Evaluation reliably indicates whether a program achieved the desired outcomes. Healthcare programs can be at the state, community, or organizational levels, and their evaluation can be yearly, terminal, or progressive, as considered appropriate. Nurses should advocate for program evaluation to determine their success and provide the basis for continuous improvement. 

 

References 

Carratala, S., & Maxwell, C. (2020, May 7). Health disparities by race and ethnicity. Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/race/reports/2020/05/07/484742/health-disparities-race-ethnicity/ 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, Mar 10).REACH program impact. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/state-local-programs/reach/program_impact/index.htm 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, Jul 15). Racial and ethnic approaches to community health. https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/state-local-programs/reach/index.htm 

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation Sample

Title: NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation Sample

To conduct the Medicaid program evaluation, the sources that they used, like hospital discharges, comprise multiple diagnoses and procedures performed record, DRG (diagnosis-related group) allocated, and another hospital stays information. Moreover, they used the OASIS and Outcome & Assessment Information Set, MDS, or Minimum Data Set and IRF-PAI or Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility-Patient Assessment Instrument (Millett & Shortliffe, 2012).

What were the specific information on unintended consequences identified?

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As an unintended health reform consequence, lots of insurers stopped proposing individual children coverage. That places parents in a

dilemma and children at risk. Indirect subsidies Unwell targeted programs carry more risk of unintended consequences. This regulation of reform drives the cost of health insurance of child-only up very high that premiums in numerous states are unaffordable (Nance-Nash, 2012).
What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit the most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples.

Stakeholders consist of senior agency and Medicaid leadership, the State legislature, the provider community, the Governor’s office, the advocacy and patient community, as well as the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) (Ahrq, 2020).

For the evaluation of the Medicaid program, low-income families and children would benefit. For instance, Medicaid in the U.S. pays for 40% of all births, covering services of prenatal, delivery, as well as post-partum care (PGPF, 2012).

Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not?

The program was failing to meet its intent or objectives. As that

Medicare insurance program of hospitals for the aged only was not adequate to meet the several medical needs of the blind, disabled, aged, or the children or mothers receiving help for dependent children. Moreover, its object cost of insured low-income families or children was not sufficient as per the federal.

Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?

I would like to implement this program at my workplace because it will be beneficial or helpful for the people who are from very low-income class. Even this program would give them the \certain level of satisfaction for fulfilling the needs of children and families security.

Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after one year of implementation.

 

In the evaluation of the Medicaid program, I could become want to involved in this program in some ways:

By encouraging patients or their families towards this insurance coverage.
By providing quality and effective care to patients.
By participating in the operations of this program.

General Notes/Comments
The most important thing about the Medicaid healthcare program is that this provides complete security to the children, parents, and families of low-income groups. So, it is effective to adopt this policy.

A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation Sample

Title: NURS 6050 Assignment Assessing a Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation Sample

The purpose of this work is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the New York State Medicaid program’s Children’s Design Evaluation. This involves a detailed examination of the program’s implementation, outcomes, and impact on the health of children and youth under age 21 in New York State. The goal is to identify the program’s strengths and areas for improvement, assess its effectiveness in meeting its original objectives, and provide recommendations for future policy and program development. This analysis will contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services and outcomes for children and youth in New York State. As a nurse advocate, the insights gained from this analysis will inform advocacy efforts and guide interventions to enhance the health and well-being of this population.

In conclusion, the program represents a significant effort to improve the health outcomes of the target audience. The program’s focus on early intervention and prevention is commendable, and its potential impact is substantial. However, the program has faced challenges in its implementation, and these challenges highlight the importance of careful planning, resource allocation, and ongoing evaluation in implementing such a program.

The analysis of the program’s evaluation has provided valuable insights into its effectiveness and areas for improvement. As a nurse advocate, these insights can inform your advocacy efforts and guide interventions to enhance the health and well-being of this population. Despite the challenges, the program has the potential to make a significant positive impact on the health outcomes of children and youth in New York State. With ongoing evaluation and adjustment, the program could make significant strides in achieving its objectives.

This work underscores the importance of program evaluation in healthcare policy and program development. It highlights the role of healthcare providers, particularly nurses, in this process. Their experience and patient advocacy can enhance health outcomes for the populations they serve. Moving forward, it is crucial to continue evaluating and refining healthcare programs and policies to ensure they effectively meet the needs of their target populations. This will contribute to the ongoing efforts to improve healthcare services and outcomes for the target population.

New York State Medicaid program’s Children’s Design Evaluation Analysis Template

Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation New York State Medicaid program’s Children’s Design
Description The program is an amendment to the existing 1115 waiver program. It was implemented on August 2, 2019. It simplified care for kids and teens below age 21 who need home- and community-based physical and behavioral health treatments. The state could move services covered by the consolidated Children’s Waiver from fee-for-service to Medicaid managed care (MMC) and target eligibility to medically needy family-of-one children who meet clinical criteria and are enrolled in the waiver but do not qualify for Medicaid due to family income (Harry et al., 2021).
How was the success of the program or policy measured?

 

The success of the program was measured through an ongoing evaluation process. It assessed how well special needs children could access primary care practitioners who understood them and the magnitude to which enrollees were accessing home- and community-based services (HCBS) promptly resulting in improved health care outcomes (Harry et al., 2021).
How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected? The program was aimed at providing health insurance for children without insurance who were ineligible for Medicaid. The interim review revealed that parents of children with chronic diseases exhibited considerable satisfaction with their primary care providers. However, they expressed lower levels of satisfaction with their ability to obtain specialized equipment and therapies, as well as coordination efforts across numerous healthcare providers. Initially, the levels of quality indicators for children were relatively stable, except for certain primary care indicators for small children, which showed improvement. Improvements were also shown in various indicators, such as the frequency of preventive visits, rates of immunization, utilization of the medical home for healthcare, adherence to preventative instructions, and the parent-reported health status of the child.
At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted? Evaluation is still ongoing but, the interim evaluation was conducted after the program’s implementation (Rand.org, n.d).
What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation? Data on quality indicators for children, satisfaction levels of parents of children with chronic conditions, and perceptions of stakeholders were used to conduct the policy evaluation
What specific information on unintended consequences were identified? Stakeholders found the transition to the Children’s Design to be difficult and expressed specific concerns around the impact on children’s families in terms of accessing care and the potential decrease in service availability. This implies that although the program has achieved certain favorable effects, there might still be room for enhancement to fully achieve its planned results. Subsequent assessments will yield more extensive understanding of the program’s influence (Harry et al., 2021).
What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples. Stakeholders identified in the evaluation include providers, advocates, Medicaid Managed Care plan representatives, and government partners. The stakeholders, as well as the families and children who are recipients of the program, would derive the most advantages from the outcomes and documentation of the program evaluation. The evaluation results can inform improvements to the program that directly impact their health outcomes. For example, the evaluation identified specific areas where service accessibility or quality is lacking, the program can be adjusted to address these issues, leading to better health outcomes for the children and youth involved.

In addition, healthcare providers and the New York State government can also benefit significantly from the evaluation results. The providers can use the results to improve their practices and workflows, while the government can use the results to make informed decisions about funding and policy directions.

Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not? Based on the interim findings from the independent evaluation, the program met its original intent of streamlining care for kids and teens who are below the age of 21. However, there were challenges in the transition to the Children’s Design, particularly concerning the burden of accessing care on children’s families and reductions in service availability.

These findings suggest that while the program has made some progress towards its objectives, there are areas where it has not fully met its original intent. The challenges in transitioning to the new design and the concerns about access to care and service availability indicate that there is room for improvement in the program’s implementation. However, the improvement in some primary care indicators for young children is a positive sign that the program is having some impact.

Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not? Yes, I would recommend this program in my place of work. The program’s focus on early intervention and prevention aligns with the goals of many healthcare facilities to provide comprehensive and proactive care. The program has potential benefits in streamlining care for children in need. Yet, it’s important to consider the challenges identified in the evaluation and develop mitigation strategies.
Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after one year of implementation. As a nurse advocate, I could contribute to the policy evaluation by:

  1. Assisting in the collecting of data that might be used to analyze the policy’s efficiency and effectiveness.
  2. Conduct surveys or interviews with patients and families to gather feedback on the program.
  3. Analyze patient outcomes and service usage data to assess the effectiveness of the program
  4. Providing feedback on the program’s effectiveness based on my observations and experiences.
  5. Volunteering to partake in policy review meetings after I have identified the legislators involved (Milstead and short, 2019).
General Notes/Comments The initiative aimed to enhance clinical and recovery health outcomes for children and teenagers who require behavioral health and Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). Additionally, its objective is to enhance prompt availability of programs that cater to early childhood requirements, preventing them from escalating into more expensive and intricate issues in maturity. Despite some challenges, the program has the potential to make a positive impact on the health outcomes of these individuals. However, its success depends on careful implementation, ongoing evaluation, and the commitment and involvement of healthcare providers. As a nurse advocate, I would play a key role in this process by providing feedback on the program’s effectiveness based on my observations and experiences, and by advocating for the needs of the children and youth involved in the program.

 

References

Rand.org (n.d) Health Care Program Evaluation.  Retrieved February 3, 2024, from https://www.rand.org/topics/health-care-program-evaluation.html

Liu, Harry H., Joshua Breslau, Stephanie Rennane, Lisa Wagner, Annie Chen, Gabriela Alvarado, Ingrid Estrada-Darley, and Andrew W. Dick (2021), Independent Evaluation of the New York State 1115 Waiver Amendment: The Children’s Design: Interim Findings, RAND Corporation, RR-A782-1, 2021. As of January 25, 2024: https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA782-1.html

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.

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Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.

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Important information for writing discussion questions and participation

Welcome to class

Hello class and welcome to the class and I will be your instructor for this course. This is a -week course and requires a lot of time commitment, organization, and a high level of dedication. Please use the class syllabus to guide you through all the assignments required for the course. I have also attached the classroom policies to this announcement to know your expectations for this course. Please review this document carefully and ask me any questions if you do. You could email me at any time or send me a message via the “message” icon in halo if you need to contact me. I check my email regularly, so you should get a response within 24 hours. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours and need to contact me urgently, please send a follow up text to

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Your initial discussion post should be a minimum of 200 words and response posts should be a minimum of 150 words. Be advised that I grade based on quality and not necessarily the number of words you post. A minimum of TWO references should be used for your initial post. For your response post, you do not need references as personal experiences would count as response posts. If you however cite anything from the literature for your response post, it is required that you cite your reference. You should include a minimum of THREE references for papers in this course. Please note that references should be no more than 5 years old except recommended as a resource for the class. Furthermore, for each discussion board question, you need ONE initial substantive response and TWO substantive responses to either your classmates or your instructor for a total of THREE responses. There are TWO discussion questions each week, hence, you need a total minimum of SIX discussion posts for each week. I usually post a discussion question each week. You could also respond to these as it would count towards your required SIX discussion posts for the week.

I understand this is a lot of information to cover in 5 weeks, however, the Bible says in Philippians 4:13 that we can do all things through Christ that strengthens us. Even in times like this, we are encouraged by God’s word that we have that ability in us to succeed with His strength. I pray that each and every one of you receives strength for this course and life generally as we navigate through this pandemic that is shaking our world today. Relax and enjoy the course!

Hi Class,

Please read through the following information on writing a Discussion question response and participation posts.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Important information on Writing a Discussion Question

  • Your response needs to be a minimum of 150 words (not including your list of references)
  • There needs to be at least TWO references with ONE being a peer reviewed professional journal article.
  • Include in-text citations in your response
  • Do not include quotes—instead summarize and paraphrase the information
  • Follow APA-7th edition
  • Points will be deducted if the above is not followed

Participation –replies to your classmates or instructor

  • A minimum of 6 responses per week, on at least 3 days of the week.
  • Each response needs at least ONE reference with citations—best if it is a peer reviewed journal article
  • Each response needs to be at least 75 words in length (does not include your list of references)
  • Responses need to be substantive by bringing information to the discussion or further enhance the discussion. Responses of “I agree” or “great post” does not count for the word count.
  • Follow APA 7th edition
  • Points will be deducted if the above is not followed
  • Remember to use and follow APA-7th edition for all weekly assignments, discussion questions, and participation points.
  • Here are some helpful links
  • Student paper example
  • Citing Sources
  • The Writing Center is a great resource

I enjoyed reading your post. I was unaware that the shift from paper to electronic health records (EHR) was majorly driven by Medicare & Medicaid. I assumed that the transfer from paper to electronic was due to costs, more accessibility, and patient safety. Surprisingly, there was pushback from healthcare personnel because of how common EHR is currently. A study by King et al. (2014) found that the EHR allows access to records remotely, enhances patient care overall, and alerts clinicians to potential medication errors and critical lab values. The development and implementation of the EHR not only improves patient safety and satisfaction but also has other potential benefits. According to Cowie et al. (2017), the EHR improves the efficiency of clinical trials and reduces the cost of clinical research. Clinical research is essential for health care to be more effective and safer; however, the main barrier to clinical research is the cost. The EHR can assist in reducing research costs, which encourages more clinical research.