In this assignment you will:
- Develop three alternative solutions that address the problem definition and criteria that you identified in Case 4 (see Case 4 for CDC link to public health issues).
- Compare the pros and cons of those three alternatives.
- Select the best alternative.
- Develop a logical argument to support your choice. Developing alternative solutions is essentially a brainstorming process. What can you do to solve the problem? That is an alternative. Proposed alternatives should be consistent with the problem(s) that you identified in your Module 4 Case assignment.
Developing a list of good alternatives involves creativity and avoiding preconceived attitudes (knee-jerk solutions) and assumptions. Guidelines for alternative development include:
- DON’T SETTLE FOR YOUR FIRST IDEA!
- Good designers try to generate as many possible solutions as they can before choosing one that they feel is the best. This creative process of developing ideas is called ideation.
- Methods of ideation include:
Organize this essay assignment using the Evaluate Alternative Solutions Document. Your final formatted essay should contain subtitles that summarize the topic from each question above. Your essay should be approximately 2-3 pages in length not including the title or reference page.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction
As a medical professor, it is important to not only teach and evaluate students, but also provide them with real-world problem-solving experiences. In this assignment, students are required to develop alternative solutions to address the public health issue identified in Case 4.
Question 1: What are the three alternative solutions that address the problem definition and criteria identified in Case 4?
Solution 1: Increase vaccination outreach programs to educate and encourage the public to get vaccinated.
Solution 2: Implement mandatory vaccinations for school-age children to ensure widespread protection.
Solution 3: Increase funding for research and development of new vaccines to combat emerging diseases.
Question 2: What are the pros and cons of each alternative solution?
Solution 1:
Pros: Cost-effective; promotes public education; non-invasive.
Cons: Limited impact on those who are already hesitant about vaccination; requires significant funding for large-scale programs; may take time to see results.
Solution 2:
Pros: Ensures widespread protection; time-effective; can prevent outbreaks.
Cons: May face legal challenges and criticism from anti-vaccination groups; may not be well-received by parents; requires significant funding and logistical planning.
Solution 3:
Pros: Provides long-term solutions to emerging diseases; advances medical research; can lead to break throughs in immunization technology.
Cons: Lacks immediate impact; may be costly in the short-term; requires significant research and development.
Question 3: Which alternative solution is the best and why?
Based on the evaluation of each alternative solution, Solution 1, which focuses on increasing vaccination outreach programs, appears to be the best option. While each solution has its own benefits, a well-executed vaccination program can have a significant and lasting impact on public health. It is the most cost-effective option and can help address the issue of vaccine hesitancy by providing the public with factual information and resources to make informed decisions about their health. It is also a non-invasive solution that does not require mandatory vaccinations or legal challenges. Therefore, Solution 1 is the most feasible and effective option.
Conclusion
Developing alternative solutions requires creativity and critical thinking. Each solution must be evaluated based on its potential impact and feasibility. Through this process, students can gain valuable problem-solving skills that can be applied to their future careers in medicine.
