Assessing the Problem: Technology, Care Coordination, and Community Resources Considerations

This capstone project investigates the application of healthcare technology, care coordination, and community resources to address the case of childhood obesity in a 10-year-old child named John. This project will investigate how healthcare technologies can support John’s fight against obesity and boost his general well-being. Besides, we will assess the significance of seamless care coordination in handling obesity and its associated health concerns in pediatric settings. This involves a joint effort from different health disciplines to devise a comprehensive care plan suitable for John. Lastly, we will explore potential local resources available for John and his family to help combat obesity and promote a healthier way of living. The discussion on each component will be explored comprehensively throughout this endeavor.

Examining the Impact of Healthcare Technologies on Clinical Obesity 

Impact of Healthcare Technologies on John’s Obesity

Healthcare technologies play crucial roles in child obesity management; Telehealth and electronic health records system (EHRs) are particularly impactful. Telehealth bridges communication gaps, providing real-time interaction between patients and their healthcare team (Haleem et al., 2021). It enables tracking patients’ progress, adjusting care strategies quickly, and delivering personalized feedback. This wide-coverage affordable solution facilitates positive health-behavior changes. EHRs consolidate all patient information – medical history, medications, lab test results, etc., enabling healthcare providers to make informed decisions. They also allow early detection of potential health risks and contribute to care coordination across various specialties (Ehrenstein et al., 2019). For example, if a patient requires assistance from a dietitian, EHRs’ seamless data sharing ensures an informed, comprehensive, and effective treatment approach. Moreover, EHRs generate extensive databases that can be used for population-based interventions and research. They can provide anonymous data, useful in studying obesity progression, response to treatment, and disease outcomes. This can inform evidence-based practices and influence health policy decisions. Telehealth and EHRs significantly impact obesity management by enhancing communication, real-time response, comprehensive data availability, and seamless care coordination. Such integration of care technology can drastically improve patient outcomes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Specific Technologies

Advanced technologies, including telehealth and EHRs, have significant implications for healthcare. Telehealth removes geographical restrictions, making healthcare more accessible, especially for remote populations, and can be cost-effective by reducing travel costs and, in some instances, reducing hospital readmission rates (Haleem et al., 2021). However, it relies heavily on user technical aptitude, which can be challenging for some demographics, particularly older people. Technical issues can also disrupt service and negatively affect treatment quality (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2020). EHRs, meanwhile, offer comprehensive health history access, improving care quality and coordination by minimizing repetitive tests and allowing seamless information sharing among healthcare providers (Quinn et al., 2019). However, they are associated with potential data security risks and high implementation costs, particularly challenging for small healthcare facilities (Yeo & Banfield, 2022). While these technologies have revolutionized healthcare delivery, potential drawbacks should be recognized and addressed to maximize benefits.

Consistency of Technology Use in Nursing Practice

Technology, specifically telehealth and mobile health applications, is integral to modern nursing practice and patient care. Telehealth allows for consistent contact and timely professional input beyond traditional clinical environments. It is instrumental in managing chronic conditions like obesity, allowing regular check-ins, and advising on dietary and physical activity. Virtual consultations and health education seminars provide continual patient support (Haleem et al., 2021). Simultaneously, mobile health applications allow patients to self-monitor behaviors, including eating habits, weight, and physical activity.

This fosters patient involvement in their healthcare journey leading to improved outcomes. However, maintaining patient motivation becomes crucial as app usage may fall over time. Among other advancements, the Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is a revolution in healthcare. EHRs efficiently document and retrieve patient data, facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration, which is essential in obesity management and often necessitates a combin