Part 1
The current changes concerning the demographic structures of the United States population present both opportunities and challenges to the development of the nation. Notable variations in the population makeup of the country are based on the realization that the aging population is increasing by the day and as such, there is the need for developing care plans that are specifically suited for this portion of the populace (Shi & Singh, 2015). The chief solution that can adequately address these concerns has a healthcare profession that can sufficiently look into the problems brought about such as chronic diseases and propose the most suitable interventions which are congruent with the expectations of the population. There are however challenges that face the realization of these efforts since the number of healthcare providers, and mostly nurses are few whereas the number of people who are in need of health services keeps on increasing (Shi & Singh, 2015). Therefore, there is the need for nurses to focus on alternative care provision settings like medical homes and nurse-managed health clinics in addition to an emphasis on the continuation of a continuum of care and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).
The roles that medical homes play in ensuring healthy living for patients cannot be understated. These healthcare settings have transformed from initially keeping pediatrics records into centers where healthcare provision can be made. From this realization, therefore, medical homes now play a significant role in connecting the patient, their families and the community as a whole towards achieving the goals of healthcare (DeVries et al., 2012). Additionally, these medical centers ensure that the care provided to patients is comprehensive, safe, patient-centered and accessible to all people.
The second factor that gives a clear reflection of the changes in the healthcare delivery process is the understanding that nurses are shifting their focus to Accountable Care Organizations. There is the need for nurses and the other health care providers like physicians to form groups that voluntarily provide their services to patients covered by the Medicare insurance cover. Such efforts are focused on having an interdisciplinary team which in many cases has always resulted in desirable patient outcomes, prevented medical errors, near misses and the duplication of roles (Burke, 2011). This program is beneficial to the patients due to its cost effective nature based on the comprehension that it integrates care provision from clinics, primary care hospitals, and nursing homes. Additionally, the ACO incorporates the application of EHR in the care provision process which improves the way healthcare information is shared.
Thirdly, there is the need for care providers to employ the continuum of care in their care provision process. This clinical concept involves making follow-ups on patients on a longer time basis with the objective of ensuring that the patient receives the best care depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. Such a realization, therefore, determines the level of services that such a patient requires. The different methodologies that are included in this form of care provision include; wellness, ambulatory care, home care, extended care and acute hospital care (Collins, 2014). There is the need for these systems to be in a synchronized manner and as such, this calls for the coordination and integration of information systems which are focused on providing patient care in addition to care planning and management. Information continuity is crucial as it ensures that the events in the healthcare delivery process are appropriate. There is also the need for management continuity as it serves as a basis for connecting care providers in a complimentary manner. The overall benefits of incorporating continuum of care in the healthcare delivery process are that it will result in a considerable reduction in treatment costs in addition to improving the availability of care to patients regardless of their financial backgrounds. Additionally, the concept of a continuum of care ensures that care providers can provide culturally-competent care to their clientele since they have a good understanding of their needs.
The final factor that healthcare providers need to take into consideration is the employment of nurse-managed healthy clinics in providing care to patients. Nurse-managed clinics are an important portion of the health care system since they have led to the establishment of processes which are useful for efficiently collecting patient information. Additionally, they have resulted in an increase in the number of students taking courses that are in line with community nursing, focuses on health promotion, and finally boost the settings that offer primary care (Sutter-Barrett et al., 2015). The principal objective of these healthcare settings is making sure that the citizenry of the country is in a better position to receive important healthcare regardless of their financial might.
Part 2
There was the need to share the results of the information I got from my research on the growing nursing profession and the opportunities that it brings about to the healthcare profession with my colleagues at our healthcare setting. These nurses were appreciative of the changes that have been brought about by taking into account the variations in the healthcare system. They gave their views concerning the anticipated shifts in the healthcare delivery process. Their responses are discussed below.
I talked to RN KM about the reforms that have been brought about to the healthcare delivery system, and she gave me profound insights concerning the advantages that have been linked with the said changes. She is an Advanced Practice Nurse with an experience base of seven years in that field. She took issues with the Accountable Care Organizations pointing out that there is the need for having succinct guidelines on the way nurses are supposed to practice. Such guidelines play the role of directing such nurses for them to avoid any instances of near misses and medical errors. She stressed the need to have in place systems which are vital for rolling out the required reforms. The need for nurses to have a better understanding of data manipulation should also form a basis through which nurses can comfortably record patient information. This is in line with RN KM’s observation that a significant number of nurses do not have the required skills on data analysis and management.
I also interviewed RN PD concerning the views that he holds towards the healthcare delivery changes. PD has got seven years experience in the pediatric care and talked fondly about the implemented changes since they have boosted accessibility to care. He added that because patients’ healthcare needs have always been increasing, nurses will, therefore, have to shift their focus from the traditional care provision settings to medical homes that can adequately address individuals’ desires. He also added that there is the need for putting enough focus on the continuum of care rather than periodic care that many people are accustomed to. Such efforts are directed towards holistically addressing patient needs. He concluded by acknowledging the roles that interdisciplinary teams play in ensuring patient safety saying that by nurses partnering with physicians, it goes a long way in making sure that the needs of the patients are exhaustively addressed.
I also shared my sentiments with RN GT, who has got five years experience in community nursing. Having worked as a community nurse, she is of the opinion that medical homes play a significant role in making sure that the care that is provided to patients is of high quality, safe, patient-centered, well coordinated and is readily available to all and sundry. Such efforts have been made able to the realization that healthcare services have been brought closer to the people. Additionally, many hospitals are now in a better position to avoid wastages and increase their level of efficiency in the care provision process. According to her, the roles that technological advancements have played in keeping patients’ medical records cannot be understated. Storing patient information in electronic health records has played a significant role in the diagnostic process and also in developing the required treatment processes that will result in desirable patient outcomes. She reiterated that the expansion of the medical field has led to nurses being imparted with the required knowledge and skills which are useful to nurses. Such efforts are meant to change the perception that nurses are assistants to physicians. The resultant outcome is that the needs of the nurses are adequately addressed which leads to their overall satisfaction.
References
Burke, T. (2011). Accountable care organizations. Public Health Reports,126(6), 875.
Collins, R. (2014). Introduction: seamless communication across the continuum of care. Health management technology, 35(9), 23.
DeVries, A., Li, C. H., Sridhar, G., Hummel, J. R., Breidbart, S., & Barron, J. J. (2012). Impact of medical homes on quality, healthcare utilization, and costs.The American journal of managed care, 18(9), 534-544.
Shi, L., & Singh, D. A. (2015). Essentials of the US health care system. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Sutter-Barrett, R. E., Sutter-Dalrymple, C. J., & Dickman, K. (2015). Bridge Care Nurse-managed Clinics Fill the Gap in Health Care. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 11(2), 262-265.
