- Covent Garden, London,United Kingdom,WC2H 9JQ
In the video reflection, the presenter will focus on the outcomes of an evidence-based approach to diabetes explored in the capstone project. The suggestion will be made to implement telehealth as an intervention to support the treatment of diabetic patients.
The treatment of diabetes through telemedicine has significantly increased patient satisfaction and improved the quality of life for those with diabetes by introducing innovative digital solutions. Michael Calica, now sixty years old, continues to reside in the family home with his relatives.
Standing at five feet tall and weighing 162 pounds, Michael received a prediabetes diagnosis in 2018 due to persistently abnormal A1C levels across multiple visits. By 2020, despite efforts to improve his health through increased physical activity and nutrient-rich meals, a diabetes diagnosis was confirmed.
The physical examination should emphasize the skin and extremities, particularly the feet. Consequently, diabetic patients require at least annual in-person visits for proper foot inspections and sensory screenings to address concerns identified during previous telemedicine sessions.
Telemedicine improves patient health by digitally sharing medical information and operates in various forms. Synchronous telemedicine provides real-time virtual care, while asynchronous telemedicine collects medical data for later evaluation. Remote monitoring involves the continuous gathering of health data from patients.
Michael offered feedback, suggesting that telemedicine services for managing his diabetes could prove cost-effective. Teleretinal testing further aids this effort by enabling virtual reviews of retinal images taken at a primary care office, streamlining the annual testing process.
In the role of a nurse practitioner, the approach to reducing diabetes prevalence will involve motivating patients to adopt behavioral changes in their daily routines. Lifestyle adjustments will serve as a tool to help diabetic patients tackle challenges stemming from their condition. Such changes will enhance the quality of care received, as a more structured routine better prepares patients to regulate blood sugar levels effectively.
Research by Rattelman et al. (2021) indicates that telehealth can be valuable for diabetes self-management tasks, such as monitoring and tracking blood sugar. The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) endorses the use of mobile phone applications in healthcare settings for diabetic self-management (Chatterjee et al., 2018). These interventions also strengthen communication (Tabak et al., 2018).
Mobile apps allow patients to input data and receive automated or tailored responses from healthcare providers. Many rural areas depend on medical partnerships to offer telehealth services and pursuing collaboration opportunities could offset implementation costs.
To address the diabetes challenges patients encounter, transformational leadership will be applied, as it offers the most substantial benefits. Leadership in healthcare emerges from diverse professional and personal experiences at every level.
With the National Health Service (NHS) facing unprecedented challenges, those commissioning and providing diabetes care seek leaders capable of leveraging collective organizational insights and fostering collaboration beyond institutional barriers.
Implementing the telehealth service plan could broaden the support available to patients (Gregg et al., 2018). Ensuring patient comfort with the technology remains essential when utilizing telehealth. This process also involves engaging family members, colleagues, or providers to assist less confident patients in navigating the technology. Programs should emphasize telehealth’s advantages and ensure services meet patients’ diabetes care needs (Marks et al., 2021).
In the implementation strategy, successfully integrating complementary telehealth sessions could improve glucose control for individuals with untreated diabetes. Such technological advancements may also prove cost-effective by reducing short- and long-term diabetes complications. Furthermore, self-management of diabetes remains a complex yet essential process for the well-being of those with this chronic condition (An et al., 2019).
A patient-centered telehealth program can narrow socioeconomic gaps by addressing the needs of underserved communities. Achieving this requires a deliberate focus on the health habits and practices of marginalized groups. Technological progress has facilitated the creation of effective telehealth programs tailored to diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) for patients and providers (Chou & Chuang, 2020).
Telehealth employs digital tools and communication technology to enhance long-term medical care and patient education.
When launching a telemedicine program, nurses must evaluate patient needs (Genco & Borgnakke, 2020). Additionally, understanding the health behaviors of lower-income groups enables telehealth initiatives to reduce disparities in diabetes care by improving access and awareness (Lee & Lee, 2018).
The Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) policy will be incorporated, as its developments influenced the planning and execution of the capstone project to enhance patient communication outcomes. DSME forms a vital component of care for individuals with diabetes or at risk of developing it, aiding in the prevention or reduction of its effects.
Prediabetic individuals benefit from lifestyle changes as part of disease prevention efforts (Cassiani & Lira Neto, 2018). The National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Instruction aims to equip diabetes educators with evidence-based knowledge, support, and guidance for DSME and care.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA), through its “Standards of Care,” offers clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and others involved in diabetes care insights into treatment components, rehabilitation goals, and methods to assess care quality (Marc et al., 2018). These recommendations should be integrated into clinical practice and adjusted to suit each patient’s specific needs, preferences, and circumstances.
The capstone project’s results aligned with initial predictions, which anticipated a higher likelihood of patients adhering to telehealth-based diabetes treatment. When patients engage with healthcare providers through telehealth, improvements extend beyond their care to include medication management and nursing support.
During practicum hours spent with Michael Calica, he expressed that mobile health technology has made these advancements feasible. He highlighted his ability to manage medication updates and dosages and consult healthcare professionals for routine guidance using online portals and smartphone apps.
Participation in this program has bolstered both personal and professional skills. The ongoing effort seeks to enhance the range of diabetes screening options available through telehealth. Rapid advancements in visualization technology have expanded testing possibilities and improved early detection accuracy.
The project underscored the critical role nurses play in the healthcare system, emphasizing that even minor oversights can carry significant consequences—a key takeaway for all involved. Nurses must, therefore, attend to every detail of care and management, building strong patient relationships to elevate satisfaction and well-being.
Telehealth provides considerable advantages for diabetes management. Telemedicine initiatives for diabetes care can be cost-effective and support self-management tasks such as blood sugar monitoring and analysis. The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) advocates for smartphone use in healthcare settings to manage type 2 diabetes. Self-management education remains a cornerstone of care for individuals with diabetes and those at risk of developing it.
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