A Type 2 Diabetes Patient Assessment
Introduction
The completed practicum focused on a patient suffering from type 2 diabetes. This terminal condition affects the human body in such a way that it cannot process glucose in a natural manner, thereby triggering sugar levels. This disease affects and disorients the lives of many people in the United States and across the globe. Proper policy measures and health improvement programs can help more people overcome the predicaments associated with this condition. This paper gives a detailed description of the findings emerging from the completed practicum.
Selected Patient and Background
The patient chosen for this analysis is a male relative aged 60 years suffering from diabetes. Being a member of my family, all relatives are usually involved in providing the relevant medical support. This case study resonates with the competencies associated with my current practice. Sinclair et al. (2019) identify diabetes as a group of various chronic health conditions associated with rising glucose levels in the body. The leading causes include a sedentary lifestyle, increased body weight, and diet (Saleem et al., 2019). People with diabetes, therefore, form a critical population that requires increased attention and support.
Currently, the selected patient is stable and capable of undertaking various roles. However, he appears overweight and has higher chance of recording additional complications, such as stroke and atherosclerosis (Sinclair et al., 2019). The patient represents citizens in the community who are affected by this chronic disease. Around 34.2 million Americans are affected by diabetes (Sinclair et al., 2019). These statistics reveal that diabetes is a real problem that calls for evidence-based approaches to help more patients.
Analysis and Discussions
Past research has offered extensive approaches for helping diabetic patients and their respective family members. For instance, Borji et al. (2017) indicate that medical professionals should work collaboratively to help older citizens with this condition lower their glucose levels, manage blood pressure, and change their lifestyles. Saleem et al. (2019) go further to identify personalized care as an evidence-based practice (EBP) for maximizing health outcomes in the target population. The process of regulating sugar levels has attracted the attention of many investigators. Borji et al. (2017) guide clinicians to help their patients to have special diets, remain active and manage their body mass indexes (BMIs). Similarly, Saleem et al. (2019) encourage practitioners to engage all stakeholders to offer the best support and preventative measures to persons with diabetes. These observations are consistent with the emerging insights from the completed nursing content.
The implementation of EBP remains an integral attribute of nursing practice. The model is relevant in the management of diabetes and the empowerment of the affected patients. However, some barriers exist that make it impossible for more possible beneficiaries to record positive medical outcomes. For example, Saleem et al. (2019) argue that most pre-diabetic patients would always in denial and fail to embrace preventative mechanisms. The current policy mechanisms also remain ineffective since they primarily focus on prioritized illnesses like malaria and cancer (Saleem et al., 2019). These gaps affect the implementation of EBP to deal with diabetes.
After analyzing studies completed in the past, some professionals had succeeded in implementing desirable policies and nursing standards. For example, Sinclair et al. (2019) indicated that collaborative efforts could help meet the demands of diabetic patients. Saleem et al. (2019) went further to embrace the power of clinical guidelines in diabetes management in improving the outcomes of this population. The promotion of proper policies aimed at reducing the risk factors for diabetes was also evidence-based and capable of addressing this problem.
Existing literature offers diverse approaches that nurses can implement to promote policy-making, reduce illnesses, and improve outcomes. Nurses constitute the biggest percentage of the medical workforce in the country. This attribute could explain how such individuals can formulate and shape policy agendas. They are also informed and equipped with additional competencies for launching community campaigns, working directly with at-risk groups, and engaging clinicians to provide better support to diabetic patients (Majers & Warshawasky, 2020). They can liaise with politicians to formulate policy ideas that can improve care delivery.
During my practicum, Orem’s self-care theory emerged as the best model for guiding my actions. This framework is effective and capable of guiding clinicians and patients to find a common ground and eventually deliver positive medical experiences. Beneficiaries tend to have increased chances of recording quality lives. According to Borji et al. (2017), the theory is evidence-based in nature and presents powerful insights for addressing some of the challenges uninformed patients might face.
The implemented state board nursing practice standards have the potential to affect the outcomes of the selected patient. Specifically, such standards limit nurses to practice under the supervision of physicians and within their scope. This model makes it hard for them to offer family-based care and support (Borji et al., 2017). Consequently, patients with diabetes must visit medical institutions and liaise with the available health workers in the community to achieve positive health outcomes. Some scholars have offered numerous insights regarding the effectiveness of such standards. Majers and Warshawasky (2020) observed that the implemented standards were appropriate for the profession generally. However, some weaknesses existed since most of the nurses were unable to offer personalized care to diabetic patients in their home settings.
The current literature specifies that nurses need to play significant roles in shaping policies in nursing. Saleem et al. (2019) urge nurses to remain aware of emerging issues and policy agendas in these areas. They can liaise with other stakeholders in the policymaking process to achieve positive results. They need to collaborate to become advocates for continuous improvement in the available care. They can do so by examining policy initiatives for maximizing the quality of life outcomes for individuals with diabetes.
Both local and state policies have significant impacts on my nursing scope of practice within the context of diabetes. For instance, local arrangements allow nurses to work under supervision and in shifts. They have to be certified and liaise with specific professionals to deliver medical care (Majers & Warshawasky, 2020). This arrangement allows them to provide the best care to admitted patients. Similarly, federal policies dictate the manner in which nurses operate and provide their services. The current legislation makes it impossible for these practitioners to meet the overall demands of more patients with diabetes.
Nurses need to consider various leadership strategies that can help maximize patient outcomes. For instance, they ought to promote personal accountability and identify the best approaches to deliver excellence. They can mentor and guide their followers if they occupy managerial positions. They can advocate for personalized support to their patients. Nurses can also offer guidelines to their patients and respective family members. Past researchers have singled out effective leadership as a leading contributor to improved health outcomes in different patient populations. Majers and Warshawasky (2020) believe that proper leadership promotes excellence, allows followers to remain focused, and ensures that all participants support their patients.
Personally, I strongly believe that effective leadership can play a critical role in helping mitigate this problem. The consulted Nurse Manager (NM) revealed that proper leadership can encourage the patient to have a sense of direction and engage in self-care practices. The approach can create a culture of excellence while encouraging other professionals to engage in policymaking. The new procedures will guide nurses to collaborate, avail resources, and help minimize risk factors for diabetes. Additionally, collaboration strategies are capable of helping address this problem. Communication strategies are essential to delivering desirable outcomes (Saleem et al., 2019). For instance, nurses need to listen to their patients and followers attentively and respect their patients’ needs.
Finally, change management strategies would be essential to deal with this problem of diabetes. Specifically, Kurt Lewin’s change theory is a powerful model for guiding nurses and patients to accept the current situation. They will learn about diabetes, possible risk factors, and why it has become an epidemic in many societies today. This knowledge will trigger a new change for additional policies and behavioral transformations (Saleem et al., 2019). The theory will create the best environment for implementing additional policies to improve the scope and standards available to nurses.
Conclusion
The selected patient with diabetes represents an underserved population that requires improved care and support. The completed practicum revealed that obesity was an epidemic affecting many American citizens. Proper policy changes, effective leadership, communication, and change management informed by the current issues can result in better medical outcomes. Nurses have a role in engaging in policy development, fighting for and extensive scope of practice, and learning more about the demands of their patients.
References
Borji, M., Otaghi, M., & Kazembeigi, S. (2017). The impact of Orem’s self-care model on the quality of life in patients with type II diabetes. Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal, 10(1), 213-220.
Majers, J. S., & Warshawasky, N. (2020). Evidence-based decision-making for nurse leaders. Nurse Lead, 18(5), 471-475.
Saleem, S., Sehar, S., Afzal, M., Jamil, A., & Gilani, S. A. (2019). Accreditation: Application of Kurt Lewin’s theory on private health care organizational change. Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care, 2(12), 412-415.
Sinclair, A. J., Abdelhafiz, A. H., Forbes, A., & Munshi, M. (2019). Evidence-based diabetes care for older people with type 2 diabetes: A critical review. Diabetes Medicine, 36(4), 399-413.