Discussion 1: Introduction

In this discussion, begin by introducing yourself to the class and explaining your background. What do you hope to achieve from this course?

Also, share your preliminary thoughts on the healthcare administration issue that you will focus on for your capstone project. A good place to start thinking about a topic is your personal experience. Consider problems you have experienced professionally that interest you enough to do substantial research.

You may link your proposed topic with your current internship, employment, or previous work in another course that may be expanded on for the capstone project in this course. Your instructor will provide feedback to help you refine and focus your proposed topic.

Examples might include financial challenges, implementation of healthcare reform, government mandates, patient safety and quality, and care for the uninsured, among others. Determine whether the issue involves a specific target population or populations. If so, be sure that the target population’s need you investigate is supported by literature. This assignment will help you complete Milestone One due in Module Two.

******TOPICS TO CHOOSE FROM***********************************

Good topics for selection include such things as developing a specific program for a specific population at a specific site. Some of the ones that have recently been developed include things like developing a telemedicine program for an urgent care, support group for caregivers of terminally ill children, mobile clinic for vaccines, nurse preceptor program, falls prevention program at a nursing home, staff support group for a hospice, diabetes community education program, and the like. Hopefully, that sparks some ideas for you.