Role Development in Family Practice: Clinical Integration
Understanding the role technology plays in advanced primary care to vulnerable populations is vital to ensure proper and timely diagnosis and treatment to improve healthcare outcomes for the patient. The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate one global burden of disease OR risk factor in the family population (pediatric, adult, or geriatric) and explore one current evidence-based technology use that can offer improvement of outcomes and access to the population chosen.
This assignment will focus on the following course student learning outcomes (CSLO):
1. Generate knowledge from clinical practice to improve practice and patient outcomes (EOPSLO# 4, 9).
2. Leads practice inquiry, individually or in partnership with others (EOPSLO# 2, 3, 4, 7).
3. Translates research and other forms of knowledge to improve practice processes and outcomes (EOPSLO# 9).
4. Evaluate the relationships among access, cost, quality, and safety and their influence on healthcare (EOPSLO# 3, 6, 9).
5. Collaborates in planning for transitions across the continuum of care (EOPSLO# 2, 7).
6. Integrates ethical principles in decision-making (EOPSLO# 6, 9).
7. Integrates appropriate technologies for knowledge management to improve healthcare (EOPSLO# 5).
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care for the family, as well as the individual, and implement changes (EOPSLO# 8).
Technology and Healthcare
-Describe the paradigm shift in healthcare related to technology
-Elaborate how technology can improve health outcomes in your population
Chosen Evidence-Based Technology Use in Disease or Risk Factor
-Describe and summarize the evidence-based technology identified that has been shown to improve the condition or Risk Factor for your patient population chosen.
-Compare and contrast the positives and negatives of using this technology use chosen.
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- Technology is enabling:
- Telehealth: Remote consultations, monitoring, and care delivery.
- Wearable Devices: Continuous monitoring of vital signs and activity levels.
- Mobile Health (mHealth): Apps for medication management, education, and communication.
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Seamless data sharing and care coordination.
- AI and Machine Learning: Predictive analytics and personalized interventions.
- This shift emphasizes preventive care, remote monitoring, and patient empowerment.
- Technology is enabling:
Technology to Improve Health Outcomes in Geriatric Rural Population with Hypertension:
- Improvement:
- Increased Access: Telehealth reduces travel barriers for rural seniors, enabling regular blood pressure monitoring and consultations.
- Enhanced Adherence: mHealth apps provide medication reminders, track adherence, and offer educational resources.
- Early Detection: Wearable devices and remote monitoring enable early detection of blood pressure spikes and potential complications.
- Personalized Care: AI-powered analytics can identify individual risk factors and tailor treatment plans.
- Improved Care Coordination: EHRs facilitate seamless communication between primary care providers, cardiologists, and other specialists.
- Reduction of isolation: Telehealth interactions can reduce the feeling of isolation that many rural seniors experience.
Chosen Evidence-Based Technology: Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring (RBPM) with Telehealth Integration
- Description:
- RBPM involves the use of home blood pressure monitors that transmit data wirelessly to healthcare providers.
- Telehealth integration allows for remote consultations, medication adjustments, and patient education.
- This system allows for the early detection of dangerous blood pressure changes.
- Evidence Summary:
- Studies demonstrate that RBPM with telehealth integration significantly improves blood pressure control in hypertensive patients.
- It reduces the need for in-person visits, increases patient adherence to treatment, and lowers the risk of cardiovascular events.
- Research also shows that it is very effective in rural settings.
- Sources:
- Numerous studies published in journals like the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Circulation, and the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare.
- Guidelines from organizations like the American Heart Association (AHA) and the European Society of Hypertension (ESH).
Positives and Negatives of RBPM with Telehealth:
- Positives:
- Improved blood pressure control.
- Increased access to care for rural seniors.
- Enhanced patient adherence to treatment.
- Early detection of complications.
- Reduced healthcare costs.
- Reduction of travel burden on patients.
- Increased patient empowerment.
- Negatives:
- Digital literacy barriers among some seniors.
- Potential for technical difficulties.
- Privacy and security concerns related to data transmission.
- Cost of equipment and telehealth services.
- Lack of hands on care.
- Potential for increased anxiety for some patients, when monitoring their own vitals.
- Dependence on reliable internet access, which can be a problem in rural areas.
Chosen Population and Global Burden of Disease:
- Population: Geriatric population in rural areas.
- Global Burden of Disease/Risk Factor: Unmanaged hypertension and its related cardiovascular complications.
Technology and Healthcare: Paradigm Shift
- Description:
- Healthcare is undergoing a significant paradigm shift driven by technological advancements. We're moving from a reactive, hospital-centered model to a proactive, patient-centered, and community-based model.