Policy: Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Management Program (CSDMP)
The proposed policy calls for a comprehensive approach to managing SCD in the African American community, focusing on early detection, integrated care, and community education. The CSDMP is expected to enhance early detection, prompt initiation of interventions, and improve patient outcomes, thus increasing the overall quality of healthcare provided (Andrews Adjei Druye et al., 2023).
- Universal Newborn Screening: Recognizing that early diagnosis significantly improves SCD management, it is paramount to implement universal newborn screening for SCD. This initiative requires a synergistic partnership between healthcare providers, public health departments, and parents, ensuring that all newborns, particularly those of African American descent, are screened for SCD. The introduction of a legal mandate at the state or federal level, coupled with public awareness campaigns and adequate funding, will be critical to the success of this initiative (Archer et al., 2022).
- Establishment of Interprofessional Teams: This policy emphasizes the establishment of interprofessional teams at each healthcare facility. These teams will comprise medical professionals from various disciplines, including physicians, nurses, genetic counselors, social workers, and psychologists. By integrating diverse professional perspectives, these teams can deliver holistic, patient-centered care, enhancing the quality of healthcare provided. Crucially, this approach aligns with the emerging trend in healthcare towards interprofessional collaboration, supported by extensive research demonstrating its effectiveness in improving patient outcomes (Ochiltree, 2022).
- Continuous Care and Monitoring: As SCD is a chronic disease, continuous care and monitoring form a vital part of its effective management. The proposed policy recommends that interprofessional teams provide ongoing care and regular check-ups for SCD patients. These services should include prompt interventions during crises and comprehensive long-term management strategies, involving routine monitoring, anticipatory guidance, and patient-centered care planning. Additionally, the policy calls for the development of efficient care coordination systems and digital health tools to support remote monitoring and patient engagement (Badawy et al., 2021).
- Genetic Counseling and Education: The policy emphasizes the importance of genetic counseling and education for SCD patients and their families. Genetic counselors, working with the interprofessional team, will provide information about SCD risks, complications, and management, as well as emotional support. The policy also proposes community-based initiatives to increase public understanding of SCD and promote health-conscious behaviors, thereby improving the quality of life for SCD patients and their families (Hankins et al., 2020).
NURS FPX 6026 Assessment 2 Biopsychosocial Population Health Policy Proposal
Implementing the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Management Program (CSDMP) might face several difficulties such as logistic and funding constraints, differences in professional viewpoints within interprofessional teams, and public misconceptions about SCD. To manage funding and logistic issues, strategic planning, sufficient funding allocation, and legal mandates at governmental levels are crucial, along with public awareness initiatives. Moreover, differences within interprofessional teams can be managed by fostering open communication and conflict resolution strategies.
Public misconceptions about SCD, affecting genetic counseling, can be dispelled through comprehensive public education initiatives, ensuring an improved understanding of SCD. Furthermore, increasing the number of trained genetic counselors will provide effective genetic education. These strategies aim to mitigate potential obstacles in implementing the CSDMP, striving for improved outcomes and care quality for SCD in the African American community (Falasinnu et al., 2023).
