Part one
Question 1
Social marketing is a discipline introduced by Gerald Zaltman and his colleague Philip Kotler in 1970. According to Kotler, social marketing is the application of marketing techniques in solving social problems (Knibbs & Stamler, 2009). Essentially, this means that the whole idea of commercial marketing, mostly used in the selling of goods is incorporated in handling social problem. In essence, this is one way of convincing members of the society to change behavior. The whole idea from both Kotler and Zaltman was instead of people selling the common goods like clothes one was to convince teenagers the importance of postponing pregnancy. Certainly, social marketing is one way of social change on individual in the society hence influencing behavior.
Social marketing has completely influenced the way nursing is practiced, and today things are too different. In the application of social marketing public health has improved remarkably. As mentioned early that social marketing was used to change social behaviors, numerous campaigns aim at preventive measure by the change of personal behavior. For instance, HIV/AIDS as a killer disease there is many campaigns in the reducing its risky behaviors. This is termed as the “health promotion behavioral change” in the social marketing. Social marketing put emphasis on other areas. Areas such as; injury preventive initiative; where there are campaigns such as “do not drink and drive” and the community mobilization where there is sensitization of the benefit of blood donations and organ donations (Potter, 2012). Obviously, this has greatly improved the nursing profession over the years in the service provision.
Part 2
Question 1
Social marketing is taking nursing at pace in terms of revolutionary changes. The future of nursing can be even better by embracing the social marketing idea. The population of America and the world is increasing day in and day out. There is high demand of nurses that can manage the growing population, but the paradox of this is there is a shortage of nurses. Through research over two decades now the most illness such typhoid, malaria and HIV/AIDs can be prevented before they occur. Social marketing aimed at behavioral change thus; the campaigns going around will address these issues. By preventing the diseases such as typhoid by simply treating water and making it safe for, human consumption, fewer funds will be spent in treatment of infections. Through the social marketing, the minor diseases can be catered for and solving the problem of nurses shortages. The nursing services will eventually improve by the help of social marketing techniques. There is also technology advancement in the nursing profession thus improving their services. Through the mobilization of the community to donate blood, and other important organs are great moves. By having enough blood in the blood banks meaning that, every transfusion is assured for, as there is enough blood. There will be no more deaths by lack of transplant organs, but the organs will be available. The nursing profession has a bright future through the initiative of the social marketing.
Question 2
Nurses can prepare for the changes in social marketing through various ways. First, they should shift to give population-based medical care. In essence, nurses are required to exhibit a high sense of flexibility in order to fit the changing nursing care roles. In the past, nurses have been based in health care centers, a situation that is changing with time. Secondly, nurses should train on leadership and social marketing skills in order to drive the process of behavior change that is embraced in social marketing. Certainly, through collaborative skills in leadership and social marketing, nurses have the opportunity to sail through the changing environment.
References
Knibbs, K., & Stamler, L. L. (2009). Exploring Perceived Enablers and Barriers to Social Marketing Use in Public Health Nursing. Social Marketing Quarterly.
Mcclintock, J. E. (1997). Free is not enough: Use of social marketing theory as a means for increasing client participation in a prenatal preventive health program.
Potter, S. J. (2012). Using a Multimedia Social Marketing Campaign to Increase Active Bystanders on the College Campus. Journal of American College Health.
