Reference no: EM132194331

Multi-Phase Research Project Overview

This is a three-phase research project that will be submitted at different points throughout the semester. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate an understanding of the U.S. health care delivery system and its various components, including financing, delivery, and reimbursement.

These components must be viewed from the political, social, and economic atmosphere in the U.S. and from factors such as cost, access, and quality. To complete this project, students will:

1. demonstrate the ability to locate quality HIM sources;

2. look closely at who provides health care, how it is delivered, and who has access;

3. examine how health care is financed;

4. analyze reimbursement and payment systems;

5. identify health care legislation that impacts health care settings; and

6. explore health care delivery in rural areas of the U.S.

As part of the project, you will choose another country from a provided list and compare/contrast that country with the U.S. on a given set of key research topics. You will also choose a state from a provided list and examine health care delivery in rural areas of the U.S.

Phase 1 of the project is a completed research documentation chart, Phase 2 is a U.S./other country comparison-contrast chart, and Phase 3 is a final written paper. Many guides will be provided to assist you with each phase.

Phase 1 Research

Begin this phase by reading the Library Instruction Guidelines in the Module 1 folder. Then, using the Key Research Topics document and the Research Data Collection chart, collect information that you will use in Phase 2 U.S./other country comparison-contrast chart and Phase 3 Written Paper.

The Key Research Topics document guides you to major subjects you will need to cover in this project and provides driving questions to help focus your research.

You will need to gather information for each topic for both the U.S. and the country that you choose to explore. You may choose either Canada, France, or Great Britain.

You will also need to gather data on rural access to health care for a state that you choose. You may choose either North Carolina, Arizona or West Virginia.

For this section, you will want to look at federal and state data. Health and Human Services (hhs.gov) is an excellent source as well as the official state government website. Once on the official state website, search for the state's health plan and information on rural health care delivery. Also, look at the most recent census data to identify the 3 poorest counties in the state based on income.

This can be determined by counties where the average income is at or below the federal poverty level based on the HHS guidelines. You will need information to answer the following: 1) Why are rural counties in poorer health? and 2) Why are rural areas disadvantaged in terms of health care delivery and related health care services?

If possible, make copies of the research documentation that you locate so that you have full source information as you work through the project.

Source Criteria: Refer to the Key Research Topics document to guide your research. Locate at least 5 reliable and substantive sources. In addition to finding 5 sources, you must use your Shi and Singh textbook and cite this as a source. A source could be a journal article, an article published by a related professional organization, government data, insurance data, or even a video.

What to submit: Anassignment submission link in included the Module 5 folder. For this phase, you will submit the completed data collection chart.

The chart may run over to several pages. Use bullet items on the chart to list the key points from each source. Be sure to include MLA citation information on the chart for the Works Cited page of your final written report. Name the document LastName Phase 1.

Phase 2 U.S./Other Country Comparison-Contrast Chart

Using the research that you developed in Phase I and the U.S./other country comparison-contrast chart, record similarities and differences between the U.S. and the country that you choose on a given set of criteria as shown on the chart. The chart may run over to several pages. The information you gather in this section will be woven into the final written report as appropriate.

What to submit: An assignment submission link is included in the Module 10 folder. For this phase, you will submit the U.S./other country comparison-contrast chart. Use bullet items on the chart to list your key points. Name the document LastName Phase 2.

Phase 3 Final Written Paper -

Using the research that you developed in Phase I, compile a well-organized written paper. Refer to the Key Research Topics document and the driving questions to assist you in organizing your write-up. Give the paper a title and use side headings to organize your writing.

The last paragraph must be a conclusion that includes your thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the various components that make up the U.S. health care delivery system.

What to submit: Follow the format criteria below to submit a paper at least 5 pages but no more than 10 pages in length. Name the document LastName Phase 3.

Format Criteria: 1" margins; 12 pt Times New Roman; double space

Indent first line of paragraphs

Page numbers top right

Spell check and proofread

Works Cited page, MLA format