Enhancing Patient Engagement: A Vital Component of Modern Healthcare
The integration of patients into the healthcare team represents a paradigm shift in modern medical practice. This paper argues for the critical importance of patient engagement and proposes strategies for advanced practice nurse practitioners (APNPs) to effectively involve patients in their care. Additionally, it explores technological solutions and process improvement strategies to enhance patient engagement, while aligning these practices with established nursing standards and competencies.
Patient Inclusion in the Healthcare Team
Involving patients as active participants in the healthcare team yields numerous benefits. Research indicates that patient engagement leads to improved health outcomes, enhanced patient satisfaction, and more efficient utilisation of healthcare resources (Bombard et al., 2018). When patients are empowered to participate in their care, they develop a deeper understanding of their health conditions, treatment options, and self-management strategies. This increased knowledge and involvement often results in better adherence to treatment plans and more informed decision-making.
Furthermore, patients bring unique insights into their lived experiences, preferences, and values that are essential for truly patient-centred care. Their perspectives can illuminate barriers to treatment adherence or lifestyle changes that may not be apparent to healthcare providers. By incorporating this valuable input, the healthcare team can develop more tailored and effective care plans.
Strategies for APNPs to Foster Patient Engagement
As APNPs, we are uniquely positioned to champion patient engagement due to our advanced clinical knowledge and emphasis on holistic care. One effective strategy involves shared decision-making, where APNPs collaborate with patients to make healthcare decisions based on clinical evidence and patient preferences. This approach respects patient autonomy and promotes a sense of ownership over their health journey.
Another crucial strategy is health literacy promotion. APNPs can assess patients’ understanding of health information and provide education tailored to their level of comprehension. This may involve using plain language, visual aids, or teach-back methods to ensure patients grasp important health concepts and instructions.
Additionally, APNPs can foster engagement by creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment where patients feel comfortable expressing concerns and asking questions. Active listening and empathetic communication are key skills in this regard. By demonstrating genuine interest in patients’ perspectives and concerns, APNPs can build trust and encourage open dialogue.
For our colleagues, embracing patient engagement should be seen as a means to enhance the quality and effectiveness of care. Engaged patients are more likely to follow through with treatment plans, report adverse effects promptly, and take proactive steps in managing their health. This can lead to improved clinical outcomes, reduced hospital readmissions, and increased job satisfaction for healthcare providers (Liang et al., 2020).
Informatics and System Technologies for Patient Engagement
Advancements in healthcare technology offer numerous opportunities to enhance patient engagement. Three promising solutions include:
1. Patient Portals: These secure online platforms allow patients to access their health records, view test results, schedule appointments, and communicate with their healthcare providers. Patient portals empower individuals to take a more active role in managing their health information and care coordination.
2. Mobile Health (mHealth) Applications: Smartphone apps can be used for various purposes, such as medication reminders, symptom tracking, and health education. These tools enable patients to monitor their health status and share relevant data with their healthcare team in real-time.
3. Telemedicine Platforms: Video consultations and remote monitoring technologies facilitate more frequent and convenient interactions between patients and healthcare providers. This is particularly beneficial for patients with chronic conditions or those living in rural areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.
Process Improvement Strategy for Evaluating Patient Engagement
To evaluate the effectiveness of these technological solutions in promoting patient engagement, a comprehensive process improvement strategy is essential. The following approach is proposed:
1. Establish Baseline Metrics: Measure current levels of patient engagement using validated tools such as the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) or the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) survey.
2. Implement Technologies: Introduce the selected engagement tools (patient portal, mHealth app, and telemedicine platform) with appropriate training for both patients and healthcare providers.
3. Monitor Utilisation and Satisfaction: Track usage rates of the implemented technologies and gather feedback from patients and providers through surveys and focus groups.
4. Assess Clinical Outcomes: Analyse changes in relevant health indicators, such as medication adherence rates, hospital readmissions, and overall health status.
5. Continuous Improvement: Based on the data collected, identify areas for refinement and make iterative improvements to the engagement strategies and technologies.
Alignment with Nursing Standards and Competencies
The proposed patient engagement strategies align closely with several key nursing standards and competencies. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials (2021) emphasise the importance of patient-centred care and health informatics. Specifically, Domain 2 (Person-Centered Care) and Domain 8 (Informatics and Healthcare Technologies) directly support the integration of patients into the healthcare team and the use of technological solutions for engagement (AACN, 2021).
The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies also underscore the significance of patient-centred care and informatics. The patient-centred care competency emphasises the need to recognise patients as partners in healthcare delivery, while the informatics competency highlights the importance of using information and technology to communicate and manage knowledge (Cronenwett et al., 2023).
Finally, the American Nurses Association (ANA) Standards of Professional Nursing Practice emphasise the nurse’s role in promoting patient autonomy and advocating for patient rights. Standard 5 (Implementation) specifically addresses the need for nurses to employ strategies to promote health and a safe environment (ANA, 2021).
In conclusion, patient engagement is a crucial component of modern healthcare that aligns with current nursing standards and competencies. By leveraging informatics and system technologies, and implementing robust evaluation strategies, APNPs can lead the way in fostering meaningful patient involvement, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2021). The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/AcademicNursing/pdf/Essentials-2021.pdf
American Nurses Association (ANA). (2021). Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice (4th ed.). American Nurses Association.
Bombard, Y., Baker, G. R., Orlando, E., Fancott, C., Bhatia, P., Casalino, S., Onate, K., Denis, J. L., & Pomey, M. P. (2018). Engaging patients to improve quality of care: a systematic review. Implementation Science, 13(1), 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-018-0784-z
Cronenwett, L., Sherwood, G., Pohl, J., Barnsteiner, J., Moore, S., Sullivan, D. T., Ward, D., & Warren, J. (2023). Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN): Key concepts and competencies. QSEN Institute. https://qsen.org/competencies/pre-licensure-ksas/
Liang, L., Cako, A., Urquhart, R., Straus, S. E., Wodchis, W. P., Baker, G. R., & Gagliardi, A. R. (2020). Patient engagement in hospital health service planning and improvement: a scoping review. BMJ Open, 8(1), e018263. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018263
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Week 6 Learning Activity: AACN Essential and QSEN Appraisal and Week 6 Discussion
Purpose:
The purpose of this assignment is intended to allow the student to show evidence of the following course objectives:
Articulate the methods, tools, performance measures, and standards related to quality, and apply quality principles within an organization
Compare how nurses improve healthcare access and quality
Synthesize ANA Scope and Standards of Nursing Practice, AACN Essentials, and QSEN Competencies to assure accountability for care outcomes
Description:
For this assignment, you are an advanced nurse practitioner caring for patients. You will write a 2-3 page (not including title page and reference pages) persuasive paper to your fellow colleagues explaining how to effectively engage patients as part of the healthcare team. Answer the following questions in your paper:
Why should the patient be part of the healthcare team?
How can you, as an APNP, engage in active patient engagement? How can your colleagues? Why should this be important to them?
What informatics or system technologies can be used to engage with patients? Include a minimum of 3 solutions.
Propose a process improvement strategy that will be used to evaluate patient engagement based on the 3 solutions mentioned above
How do the AACN Essentials (2021), QSEN modules, and ANA Standards apply?
Incorporate a minimum of 3 supporting academic peer-reviewed sources (journal articles)
Requirements
This assignment needs to be submitted following APA format (title page, headings, reference page, etc.). The 2-3 page paper number count does not include the title page and reference pages. Citations from References that are synthesized from the assigned article, course text, evidence-based and peer-reviewed research articles, and other credible sources are required. A minimum of 3 resources are used. References must be current within 5 years
AACN competencies and sub-competencies must be clearly stated and appropriately applied
This assignment will be submitted below through Canvas and automatically run through TurnItIn. Please click here for more information on TurnItIn: TurnItIn Resources Course faculty monitor for the compliance of citations with Turnitin evaluation of the assignment during the course session.
NOTE: Evidence of plagiarism will result in a score of 0 for this assignment. Repeat offenses of plagiarism will result in more significant repercussions per the South College student handbook.
Evaluation: The following rubric will be used to score this assignment.
Rubric
NSG5110 Professional Paper Rubric
