Problematizing the practice of policy

What is it about?

Policy is a pervasive feature of contemporary health care. Policy clearly matters in healthcare, both in its presence and in its absence. Policies are evidence of the intent and ability of powerful stakeholders, including governments, professions and leaders, to shape what is seen as a healthcare ‘problem’, service delivery models and the roles and scope of practice of healthcare workers. They are used as mechanisms of governance for everything from healthcare workers' clothing to large scale systems reform and the management of clinical conditions.

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Why is it important?

The ubiquitous presence of policies within and across every level of healthcare systems has resulted in their status as doxa, or that which is ‘taken for granted’, and as a consequence not readily challenged or critiqued.