Written Paper: Capstone Project Proposal Instructions: the purpose of this assignment is to learn the process of proposing and planning for change by identifying a problem or need for change to address a quality care or patient safety issue as defined in the next paragraph proposing a solution that is suppo

Executive Summary

Diabetes is a chronic condition that undermines individuals’ quality of life. For instance, the disease damages the nerves, kidneys, blood vessels, and heart. Individuals diagnosed with diabetes are at risk of stroke, heart attacks, nerve damage, reduced blood flow, and limb amputation.  However, lifestyle modification can prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. For instance, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, eating healthy meals, avoiding saturated fats and sugars, and smoking cessation reduce the risk of diabetes and related complications. Nonetheless, the lack of awareness about diabetes and its prevention strategies contributes to its prevalence globally. 

Thus, the proposal aims to engage my facility and patients in a diabetes self-management program. The program will focus on educating patients about diabetes and related complications, the importance of monitoring their blood sugar levels, eating healthy meals, engaging in physical activities, adhering to their medication regimen, performing self-foot checks, and avoiding dehydration by drinking water. The program will last four weeks and the expected outcomes include improved quality of life, reduced number of patients admitted due to diabetes-related complications, reduced healthcare costs associated with treating diabetic patients, and enhanced patient understanding of diabetes, its associated complications, and diabetes prevention strategies. 

Overview of the Capstone Project Proposal

Diabetes remains a significant public health challenge globally. Kumah et al.(2018) note that it ranks fifth as the leading cause of mortality in high-income countries while in middle and low-income countries; it is increasingly becoming an epidemic. In 2014, approximately 422 million individuals globally were diagnosed with diabetes with 175 million undiagnosed. The number of those diagnosed with diabetes is expected to increase to 592 million by 2035 (Kumah et al., 2018). The rise will be attributable to reduced exercise levels, urbanization, dietary changes, unhealthy behaviors, aging populations, and obesity prevalence. Diabetes care exerts a considerable financial burden on individuals and healthcare systems and is associated with severe complications like limb amputation, blindness, stroke, myocardial infarction, and kidney failure (Kumah et al., 2018). Despite the increased prevalence of diabetic disease, evidence indicates that effective management and early diagnoses can reverse the global disease trend. 

Also, patient education programs are important in reducing diabetes-related complications and the costs associated with care delivery.  Self-Management education entails active participation of individuals in decision-making and self-monitoring of their condition. It also entails equipping diabetes patients with the required skills and knowledge to manage crises, engage in self-care behaviors, and modify their lifestyles (Engelhard et al., 2018). Diabetes self-management programs improve the health status and behaviors of the patient.

Current Practice, the Identification of Clinical Issue, and the Need for the Project

 The patients in my facility are receiving diabetes usual care.  For instance, diabetes patients manage their condition based on advice from the practice nurse and general practitioner regarding appropriate medication, physical activity, and diet.  Advice is not adequate in helping diabetes patients self-manage their condition. Therefore, a diabetes self-management program is necessary because it supports and promotes positive self-management behaviors resulting in improved quality of life and long-term diabetes outcomes. The program also reduces mortality and morbidity related to diabetes complications and is cost-effective. Therefore, self-management education program is necessary because it will improve diabetes patients’ outcomes and quality of life.

Steps That Will Be Involved In Implementing the Project

The first step in implementing the project is designing the self-management education program. The program will cover various topics, including an overview of diabetes, medication, physical activity, nutrition, social support and family involvement, monitoring of blood glucose levels, treatment, detection and prevention of diabetes-related complications, and dental, skin, and foot care. Other topics will include behavior change approaches, community and healthcare resources utilization, and psychological and stress adjustment. The topics will be printed on brochures and flyers to enhance patients’ understanding of diabetes self-management strategies. The program’s stakeholders will hold interactive classes with diabetic patients for four weeks.