Running head: HEALTH BEHAVIOR THEORY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 1

PU505 - Health Behavior Theory: Unit 7 Assignment – Creating Goals and Objectives

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Purdue Global University

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Health Behavior Theory Goals and Objectives

Health Behavior and Summary of Health Behavior Theory

The Australian health system faces a critical challenge due to an impending substantial

shortage of medical specialists especially in rural settings. The accessibility of required medical

services especially in rural geographical zones from the general practitioners is strained.

Therefore, a significant percentage of individuals located in rural areas do not have access to the

services of general practitioners. The access issue can be viewed from a waiting time during

hospital visits portraying unhealthy practice behavior. As noted by McIntyre & Chow (2020),

long waiting times for patients to receive care is an indicator of a pressured health service. As

noted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023), patients admitted to emergency

units took different time ranges. For example, four hours and fifty-four minutes for those who

needed non-urgent care compared to fifteen hours and thirteen minutes for those who needed

instance care services. The issue may be further compounded due to the rising number of aging

population. The healthcare system faces a unique challenge of escalated demand for medical care

services amid the rise of the aged population. Such an observation may warrant adept evaluation

and incorporation of behavioral change strategies such as improved workflow plus an increased

number of general practitioners in the care sector. In the health behavior theory, interventions are

aimed at improving the overall care outcome through changes in the environment or actions

concomitantly aimed at achieving healthier habits (Sleet & Dellinger, 2020).

Goals and Objectives

The first goal would be increased practitioner retention. The goal would be achieved

through offering competitive salaries to the practitioners. Secondly, newly graduated

practitioners would be recruited in nursing residency programs to boost competency and

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confidence in their line of duty. The goals and objectives are well aligned with the behavioral

change theory in that they portray a change in behavior plus an improvement in overall career

satisfaction.

Goal 1: Increase practitioner retention

Objective 1: Offer competitive salaries

Objective 2: Offer nursing residency programs to boost competency and confidence

The second goal would be to reduce practitioner burnout. The goal would be achieved through an

improved ratio between practitioners and patients. Secondly, the practitioners would not be

subjected to long shift hours. The goals and objectives are well aligned with the behavioral

change theory in that they portray a change in behavior plus an improvement in overall career

satisfaction.

Goal 2: Reduce Practitioner Burnout

Objective 1: Improve the practitioner-to-patient ratio

Objective 2: Reduce long shift lengths

The third goal would be the adjustment of diversity and improved workplace culture. The goal

would be achieved through career flexibility and addressing retention and balance between life

and work. The goals and objectives are well aligned with the behavioral change theory in that

they portray a change in behavior plus an improvement in overall career satisfaction.

Goal 3: Adjusting diversity and improving workplace culture

Objective 1: Career flexibility

Objective 2: Addressing work/life balance and retention

Barriers and Challenges

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First, the goal of improving retention may be achieved through offering competitive

salaries to the practitioners. Nonetheless, the high wages translate to increased revenue collection

or budgetary allocation to the health sector. The approach will result in strained resource sharing

for the government. Besides, offering residency programs indicates an extra budget for the

practitioners and the government. The second goal of reduced burnout would involve hiring

more practitioners. From a government perspective, the approach would result in an increased

wage bill. The practice would be challenging to achieve amidst economic challenges. The final

goal is to improve diversity and culture. The approach would be limited by a lack of proper

policies and avenues for career flexibility.

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References

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Australia's hospitals at a glance. Australian

Government. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/hospitals/australias-hospitals-at-a-

glance/contents/access-to-hospitals

McIntyre, D., & Chow, C. K. (2020). Waiting time as an indicator for health services under

strain: a narrative review. INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization,

Provision, and Financing, 57, 0046958020910305.

Sleet, D. A., & Dellinger, A. M. (2020). Using behavioral science theory to enhance public

health nursing. Public Health Nursing, 37(6), 895-899.