Milstead's Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse's Guide, 8th Edition Doody's Expert Review Review Questionnaire ISBN: 9781284304954 ISBN-10: 1284304957 Copyright: 2027 Edition: 8th Author: Short, Nancy M. Doody's Expert Review    Score: 91 Doody's Star Rating™ and Doody's Expert Review provide by Doody Enterprises, Inc. Reviewer: Lisa  Roberts,  DrPH, MSN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN  (Loma Linda University) Description This book brings health policy to life, showing how it shapes everyday nursing practice, patient care, and professional roles. Guiding readers through the policy process -- from identifying real world problems to evaluating outcomes -- it connects policy concepts to issues nurses encounter daily, including healthcare financing, economic concerns, values, and social media. Through practical examples drawn from nursing practice, the book helps students recognize their influence, find their professional voice, and see advocacy as a natural extension of nursing care. Purpose The book aims to provide a framework for clearer understanding of the underlying politics, economics, and laws pertaining to healthcare. It is intended to be practical, equipping novices to enter the foray of politics and policymaking. It is also helpful for seasoned educators to update their knowledge on current issues in domestic politics and skills for engaging students on the topic of policymaking. These worthwhile objectives are soundly met. Audience This book's primary audience is nurses and other healthcare professionals. It specifically targets those interested in engaging in the political arena, as well as those who want to better understand health policy. Both undergraduate and graduate nursing students will benefit even beyond required coursework, and working nurses and other healthcare professionals will also find it beneficial as they may be more ready to act on the knowledge gained. The editor and contributing authors are highly credible on the subject with impressive credentials and relevant working experience. Features Framing policy engagement as a professional responsibility rather than a specialized political activity, the book structures policy as a recurring process rather than a one-time event. Using the CDC policy process model (i.e., 1. Problem identification, 2. Policy analysis, 3. Policy design, 4. Policy enactment, 5. Policy implementation, followed by Evaluation and Community/Stakeholder engagement and education) helps readers see where and how nurses can intervene at multiple stages of policymaking. Early chapters establish nurses as natural policy stakeholders, while dedicated chapters distinguish between legislation and regulation, levels of governance, and regulatory authority pertaining to nursing practice. The book includes a focused examination of healthcare economics and finance and covers emerging and timely issues. The content is well organized and clearly articulated, with illustrations, tables, and figures enhance interest and understanding. Furthermore, each chapter includes case studies and discussion points, and extensive teaching and learning resources are available. Assessment The quality of this textbook is excellent. It is not only useful to the intended audience, but those already in the field. This eighth edition includes new content such as Medigap choices and social media influence on health policy, and also an expanded emphasis on community and stakeholder engagement, coalition building and education, and advocacy tools to aid actionable professional skills. I recommend this book to those who want to improve health outcomes through policy and embrace the opportunity to create positive change that reaches far beyond individual care. Review Questionnaire Range Question Score 1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10 1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10 1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5 1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4 1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5 1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5 1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5 1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 5 1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 5 1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5 1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 4 1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 5 1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 3 1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book 4 1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 8 1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 8 ©2026 Doody Enterprises, Inc.