NURS FPX 4900 assessment 3, we explore the range of healthcare options available to a 40-year-old woman coping with the complications of diabetes.
The objective is to identify the crucial points at where community resources, care coordination, and health technology intersect.
We examine their significant consequences for moral professional practice while being guided by the context of organizational and governmental regulations and the ethical requirements of state board nursing practice.
The utilization of health care technology has significantly impacted the management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, in both individual patients and broader populations.
Technological advancements have introduced a plethora of advantages in terms of improved patient outcomes and quality of care. For instance, the advent of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices has empowered patients’ data on their blood sugar levels (Toschi & Munshi, 2020).
This leads to better glycemic control, reducing the risk of complications associated with diabetes. However, it is imperative to acknowledge that technology is not devoid of disadvantages. The adoption of such devices can be expensive, posing financial barriers to some patients (Toschi & Munshi, 2020).
Additionally, not all patients are technologically literate, which may limit their ability to effectively utilize these tools.
Within professional practice, health care technology has become an integral part of diabetes management.
Electronic health records (EHRs) have revolutionized the coordination of care by providing a centralized platform for healthcare providers to access patient information, including lab results and medication histories (Ganiga et al., 2020).
This enhances the quality and safety of care by minimizing errors related to miscommunication or missing data. Despite these evident advantages, concerns persist regarding data security and privacy in EHRs.
The sharing of sensitive medical information through interconnected systems is accompanied by a potential risk of data breaches (Ganiga et al., 2020). It is critical for healthcare organizations to implement robust security measures to safeguard patient information.
When examining the costs and barriers associated with health care technology, it is evident that while technology can offer remarkable benefits, there are financial considerations and access disparities to address.
For instance, the acquisition of advanced diabetes management technologies, such as insulin pumps or CGM devices, can be cost-prohibitive for some patients without adequate insurance coverage (Susan Gower Smith et al., 2023).
These financial constraints can disproportionately affect underserved populations, exacerbating health disparities.
Moreover, rural communities may face limited access to high-speed internet and telehealth services, impeding their ability to benefit from remote monitoring and telemedicine consultations, despite their potential advantages in reaching underserved populations (Susan Gower Smith et al., 2023).
Health care technology has indeed transformed the landscape of diabetes management, offering numerous advantages in terms of patient empowerment, care coordination, and outcomes.
Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that these benefits are accompanied by notable drawbacks, such as the financial burden and privacy concerns (Susan Gower Smith et al., 2023).
Therefore, it is incumbent upon healthcare systems to strike a balance between harnessing the potential of technology and addressing the disparities it may introduce. By doing so, healthcare professionals and organizations can optimize the use of technology to enhance diabetes care while mitigating its negative impacts (Susan Gower Smith et al., 2023).
Evidence suggests that effective care coordination facilitates the seamless exchange of information and resources among healthcare professionals, ensuring that the patient receives holistic and continuous care (Johnson et al., 2019).
Professional practice increasingly recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary teams in diabetes management, involving endocrinologists, dietitians, nurses, and behavioral health specialists.
These teams leverage their expertise to develop personalized care plans, leading to improved patient adherence and glycemic control.
However, despite these advantages, barriers may include fragmented healthcare systems, where silos of information and communication gaps persist (Johnson et al., 2019).