Nu 514 Rural Health Policies - Article Example

The author acknowledges the static nature of the work environment and the need to restructure leadership policies. Thus, the article compliments health management literature.
My Analysis

The modern business environment is characterized by scarcity of resources and, hence the need for effective management. The application of technological innovations has been identified as a significant aspect of management in the modern business environment. Although the health sector deals with the inherent problem of people’s health, it requires effective management. This indicates the existence of a legitimate research problem for analysis. The author utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the extent of the problem. In particular, the researcher utilizes quantitative techniques to measure the level of application of information technology in the health sector. This enables him to make a precise comparison of the health industry with other industries of equivalent interests.

To complete his analysis, the researcher utilizes qualitative research techniques to establish factors that have contributed to the lack of application of information technology in the health industry. The researcher identifies people’s attitudes towards health care and the charity aspect associated with health services as the main factor maintaining the traditional management practices. However, the health sector is affected equally by the scarcity of resources and, the need for sustainability as other industries. To enhance the credibility of his argument, the author cites primary articles from refereed journals and government publications. The paper concludes its analysis with the recommendation that calls for speedy implementation of information technology in the health industry. Areas of first priority include prescription and patient’s progress records.

Application
I consider the article relevant to the current teaching and nursing practice. It is interesting to note that the health sector lags behind other industries in its application of information technology, despite its significance to society. This signifies the need to have a conclusive restructure of the entire system beginning with training programs for nurses. I consider the problem as a twofold problem due to the patient’s contribution. The conservative nature of patients and other beneficiaries of public health services have contributed to the delayed implementation of information system in the health industry. Thus, the public needs relevant training as a prerequisite for the implementation. In addition, there is a need to create user-friendly systems that can be utilized by different categories of users. Integration of the newly developed systems into the current work environment should also involve all stakeholders. I consider the issue critical for the sustainability of the health sector and I recommend speedy reforms.
Professional Organization
“Factors Affecting Nurses' Decisions to Join and Maintain Membership in Professional Associations”

Summary
Professional organizations are effective tools in maintaining professionalism and social welfare among workers. Although nurses comprise the majority of health workers in a given country, most have not discovered the values of joining professional organizations. The article explores factors that contribute to the poor membership of nurses in professional organizations. Although the article was developed from primary data, the researcher assumes some inherent factors in health sciences. The researcher collected information from members and non-members of ASPAN concerning their views on its membership. Lack of sufficient time to take professional and membership duties were cited as the main factor contributing to the low membership of nurses in professional organizations. Other factors cited by the correspondents included bureaucracy and lack of freedom.
My analysis

The article explores factors deterring nurses from joining professional organizations. The argument presented in the article is inconclusive since it does not explore factors that attracted existing members into joining the organization. Thus, the author needs to have explored the positive aspect of professional organizations or factors that attracted existing members into joining their respective organizations. For instance, the article needs to have explored the contribution of professional nursing organizations in training, improvement of services, and maintenance of professional standards (DeLeskey, 2003).

The article maintains that professional organizations are beneficial to nurses and, therefore health institutions should encourage membership among their workers. However, the author does not explore factors that could improve membership in professional organizations. In addition, the article needed to consider the possible improvement of a professional organization in order to make them more attractive to nurses around the country. The author also needed to consider the possible improvement of hospital management and allocation of duties among nurses. Professional ethics among nurses is also a possible factor that leads to poor membership into professional organizations. Thus, the article needs to explore the suitability of professional ethics and policies among nurses.

Application
I consider the article an effective evaluation tool for membership in professional organizations. The article is also an essential rationale for decision-making among nurses, in relation to membership of the professional organization. Professional organizations are an effective aspect of every profession and, therefore nurses should not be reluctant in making such decisions. The article explores factors that discourage nurses from joining such organizations. This aspect is a useful tool in classifying the credibility of a professional organization.

Although the research was based on data collected from members and non-members of ASPAN, the results are applicable to any other similar organization. Recommendations made by the article can also be used to restructure policies of professional organizations in order to improve their popularity among nurses. In addition, the recommendations can be applied to improve the work environment in hospitals to enable nurses to join such organizations.