Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations
Prof. Name
Date
Interdisciplinary Plan Proposal
The rising incidence of Type 2 diabetes at St. Paul Regional Health Center requires the development of a comprehensive and collaborative interdisciplinary approach to patient education and management. Many patients struggle with self-management due to insufficient education, poor dietary habits, and psychological barriers (Adhikari et al., 2021). This proposal recommends the implementation of a structured diabetes education program within the outpatient diabetes management department. The initiative will focus on a team-based approach, aiming to enhance self-care behaviors and ultimately reduce complications and hospitalizations related to diabetes.
Objective
The primary aim of this initiative is to establish an interdisciplinary diabetes education program involving primary care providers, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and behavioral health specialists. This collaboration will focus on improving patient adherence to self-management strategies, which will contribute to better glycemic control, reduced hospital readmissions, and lower long-term healthcare costs. Research has demonstrated that interdisciplinary diabetes care can enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs (Nurchis et al., 2022).
Questions and Predictions
The development and assessment of the program will be guided by several key questions. The first question is how interdisciplinary collaboration affects patient adherence to diabetes self-management. It is expected that adherence to prescribed medications, dietary modifications, and physical activity will improve by 20% within six months. Another question concerns the challenges that may arise during implementation. Anticipated obstacles include resistance from nursing staff and patients; however, continuous education and support should help address these challenges.
Another important question is the impact of the program on hospital readmission rates. Existing research suggests that improved self-management can reduce readmissions by 15% (Pugh et al., 2021). Additionally, the workload of the interdisciplinary team will be assessed. Although an initial 10% increase in workload is anticipated, structured workflows are expected to improve efficiency over time. Finally, the financial impact will be examined. While there will be initial costs for staff training and technology, these will be offset by reduced emergency care utilization and fewer diabetes-related complications (Haque et al., 2021).
Table: Key Components of the Interdisciplinary Diabetes Education Program
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Objective | Develop an interdisciplinary diabetes education program with primary care providers, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and behavioral health specialists to enhance patient self-management. |
| Expected Outcomes | Improve glycemic control, reduce hospital readmissions by 15%, and decrease long-term healthcare costs. |
| Barriers & Solutions | Resistance from staff and patients; addressed through continuous education and support. |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Change Theories & Leadership | Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model will guide the implementation process. Leadership will create urgency, provide resources, and ensure stakeholder engagement (Miles et al., 2023). |
| Transformational Leadership | Encourages collaboration and innovation, ensuring healthcare providers’ active participation and long-term commitment (Ystaas et al., 2023). |
| Team Collaboration | Primary care providers conduct initial assessments, nurses provide education, dietitians develop meal plans, behavioral specialists address mental health concerns, and pharmacists optimize medication use. |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organizational Resources | Investment in staffing, training, and technology, including educational materials, glucose monitors, and telehealth systems (Ng et al., 2023). |
| Financial Impact | Initial investment of $50,000; estimated long-term savings of $100,000 per year through reduced hospitalizations and emergency visits. |
| Technology Integration | Coordination with IT for EHR integration and hospital administration for resource allocation (Robertson et al., 2022). |
Conclusion
This interdisciplinary diabetes education program is designed to improve patient self-management and health outcomes. By fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals and integrating technology for seamless coordination, the initiative aims to reduce hospital admissions, lower healthcare costs, and enhance patients’ quality of life. Ultimately, this structured approach will contribute to better patient care and a more sustainable healthcare system at St. Paul Regional Health Center.
References
Adhikari, M., Devkota, H. R., & Cesuroglu, T. (2021). Barriers to and facilitators of diabetes self-management practices in Rupandehi, Nepal—Multiple stakeholders’ perspective. BMC Public Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11308-4
Haque, W. Z., Demidowich, A. P., Sidhaye, A., Golden, S. H., & Zilbermint, M. (2021). The financial impact of an inpatient diabetes management service. Current Diabetes Reports, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-020-01374-0
Miles, M. C., Richardson, K. M., Wolfe, R., Hairston, K., Cleveland, M., Kelly, C., Lippert, J., Mastandrea, N., & Pruitt, Z. (2023). Using Kotter’s change management framework to redesign departmental GME recruitment. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 15(1), 98–104. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9934828/
NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 3
Ng, Y. K., Shah, N. M., Chen, T. F., Loganadan, N. K., Kong, S. H., Cheng, Y. Y., Sharifudin, S. S. M., & Chong, W. W. (2023). Impact of a training program on hospital pharmacists’ patient-centered communication attitudes and behaviors. Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy, 11, 100325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100325
Nurchis, M. C., Sessa, G., Pascucci, D., Sassano, M., Lombi, L., & Damiani, G. (2022). Interprofessional collaboration and diabetes management in primary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis of patient-reported outcomes. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm12040643
Pugh, J., Penney, L. S., Noël, P. H., Neller, S., Mader, M., Finley, E. P., Lanham, H. J., & Leykum, L. (2021). Evidence-based processes to prevent readmissions: More is better, a ten-site observational study. BioMed Central Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06193-x
Robertson, S. T., Rosbergen, I. C. M., Jones, A. B., Grimley, R. S., & Brauer, S. G. (2022). The effect of the electronic health record on interprofessional practice: A systematic review. Applied Clinical Informatics, 13(03), 541–559. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1748855
NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 3
Segal, Y., & Gunturu, S. (2024). Psychological issues associated with obesity. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603747/
Ystaas, L. M. K., Nikitara, M., Ghobrial, S., Latzourakis, E., Polychronis, G., & Constantinou, C. S. (2023). The impact of transformational leadership in the nursing work environment and patients’ outcomes: A systematic review. Nursing Reports, 13(3), 1271–1290. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep13030108