Week 1 Tasks

Select one of the two topics below for your project, and:

1. Provide a short definition or description of the topic.
2. Provide the rationale for choosing this topic.
3. Conclude with a high-level description of how you plan to collect the data for this project.

Complete a 300- to 350-word essay in a Microsoft Word document with appropriate references noted.

Topic 1: Disease Process Examples

Select a disease process from among the following:

• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Coronary artery disease
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cancer (lung, colon, breast)

In the next week, you will trace the continuum of care for this disease process in your own geographic region. Select a specific payer type before beginning. Be sure to collect information on the following:

• Socioeconomic issues
• Primary care
• Specialist referrals
• Outpatient services
• Hospital care
• Tertiary care, if appropriate
• Rehabilitation care, if appropriate
• Managed care issues
• Quality-of-care issues
• Total cost of care