POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS.

Introduction: 

Hello learner, you are making good progress. This is now unit 6 where you will learn about policy development and analysis.

In unit five you had a chance to discuss the Zambian constitution as well as the Nurses’ and midwives act. 

At the end of this unit you should be able to:

Define policy development and analysis

Indicate the purpose of policy development and analysis

Explain the process of policy development

Explain policy implementation

Explain policy analysis.

Definition of policy development and analysis. 

How would you define policy?

A policy is a general plan of action used to guide the desired outcome. It is a guideline or rule used to make decisions.

Policy analysis involves the systematic comparison and analysis of a set of policy alternatives to determine which option is most likely to achieve a set of objectives.

Policy development

We have defined policy, now what is the purpose of a policy?

THE PURPOSE OF A POLICY.

The purpose of a policy (or health care procedure) is to provide standardization in daily operational activities. 

Policies and procedures provide clarity when dealing with issues and activities that are critical to health and safety, legal liabilities and regulatory requirements that have serious consequences.

Policy is also used to communicate to employees the desired outcomes of the organization. They are usually broad, state what has to be achieved and why and answer major operational issues. 

Policies again can help employees understand their roles and responsibilities within the organization.

in our definitions, we said policy development is a process meaning that it has steps that are followed. What are these steps? 

PROCESS OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT.

There are four typical and main steps in the  policy process:

Identifying a problem,

Formulating a policy,

Implementing the policy change, and

Evaluating the result.

Each step is usually followed in the order listed to make sure that the process is done correctly. 

In many cases, these "steps" are turned into a cycle, with each step being repeated as changes occur; when a policy is evaluated, for example, it may reveal new problems that need to be addressed.

Identifying the Problem.

The first step in the policy process is to outline the problem. This involves not only recognizing that an issue exists, but also studying the problem and its causes in detail. This stage involves determining how aware the public is of the issue, deciding who will participate in fixing it, and considering what means are available to accomplish a solution. 

Formulating a Policy to Resolve the Problem

After identifying and studying the problem, a new policy may be formulated or developed. This step is typically marked by discussion and debate to identify potential obstacles, to suggest alternative solutions, and to set clear goals and list the steps that need to be taken to achieve them.

 Once the policy is developed, the authorities must agree to it; a weaker policy may be more likely to pass, whereas a stronger one that deals with the problem more directly might not have enough support to gain approval.

Implementing the Policy 

A new policy must be put into effect. This is the third step of the policy process, and one that can be difficult if the people who are tasked with carrying out the policy are not committed to complying with it. 

During the policy formulation step, compromises may have been made to get the policy passed that those who are ultimately required to help carry it out do not agree with; as such, they are unlikely to enforce it effectively. 

Clear communication and coordination, as well as sufficient funding, are also needed to make this step a success.

Evaluating the Effect of the Policy 

The final stage in the policy process, known as evaluation, is typically ongoing. This step usually involves a study of how effective the new policy has been in addressing the original problem, which often leads to additional policy changes. 

It also includes reviewing funds and resources available to ensure that the policy can be maintained. Historically, this step has not always been treated as very important, but policy makers are increasingly finding ways to make sure that the tools needed for evaluation are included in each step of the policy process.

Effective Hospital Policy.

Is reflective of the health goals of the nation at large 

Is written within the scope of the health facility e.g. level 3 hospital. 

Is adopted through proper management procedures; 

Is respectful of legal and constitutional rights and requirements; and 

Is communicated to the persons it will affect e.g. patients or health workers. 

You have looked at the process of policy development. Think through for a while and consider the following activity.

METHODS OF POLICY ANALYSIS

Policy analysis can explore one policy, compare two or more policies with each other, or model the future implications of a variety of different policy changes (Singer & Manton, 1993). 

Policy analysis can examine one stage in policy development or can look across all stages of policy, from design to implementation and evaluation. 

The following is a review of the most prominent methodologies used in policy analysis to describe, analyze, and compare policies. 

Needs Assessment. 

First, to address problems sensibly a policy analyst identifies the nature, scope, and extent of the problems. He or she accomplishes an assessment of the extent of need in a variety of ways. He or she may document the nature of the problem through analysis of existing information.

 The policy analyst can then use such information to describe the current state of need and to forecast likely needs.

Cost–Benefit Analysis 

Cost–benefit analysis is an approach that attempts to relate the direct and indirect costs of policies to the direct and indirect benefits of those policies. 

Cost–benefit analysis requires that both the costs and the benefits of policies be calculated in monetary form. This is frequently difficult to do, because policy analysts are often unable to give a precise dollar figure for saving a life for example. 

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis 

Cost-effectiveness analysis looks at the costs of different policies in achieving the desired policy results. 

Unlike cost–benefit analysis, this methodology does not require the monetization of the benefits of each policy. 

Although policy analysts may not know the dollar value of certain benefits, they can compare which policy costs less to achieve the same desired outcome, regardless of monetary value of the expected benefits. 

Outcome Studies 

One can assess the effectiveness of a policy without knowing the policy's cost or monetizing the benefits. 

Outcome studies can document the comparative effectiveness of different policy alternatives. Using conventional quasi-experimental and experimental research designs, policy analysts are able to assess the extent to which some policy intervention has had the intended impact on the problem it was designed to address. 

Case Studies 

Case studies involve the systematic and detailed description and analysis of the formation, implementation, and evaluation of specific policies. 

Examples include analysis of the impact of the Zambian health policy on access to health. 

Meta-analysis 

Meta-analysis can provide guidance to policymakers in the early phases of policy development by summarizing existing quantitative studies and can assist them after a series of policy outcome studies have been conducted.