Reflective work on the Research Project and Clinical Hours

Full Answer Section

• Enhanced Access to Specialized Knowledge: Patients in underserved rural communities often face significant barriers in accessing specialized prosthetic expertise. Telehealth bridges this gap, bringing expert knowledge and resources directly to their homes. This eliminates the burden of travel, reduces costs, and ensures they receive the same level of comprehensive education as those in urban centers.
• Better Functional Outcomes and Device Adherence: Well-informed patients who actively participate in device selection are more likely to be satisfied with their choice and understand the importance of proper training and maintenance. This can lead to greater adherence to rehabilitation programs, improved functional outcomes, and a reduced likelihood of device abandonment, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and independence.
• Reduced Healthcare Disparities: By specifically targeting rural populations, this project directly addresses healthcare disparities related to geographical location. It ensures that patients, regardless of where they live, have equitable access to high-quality education and shared decision-making regarding their prosthetic care. This contributes to a more just and equitable healthcare system.
• Increased Patient Satisfaction and Trust: When patients feel heard, understood, and actively involved in their care decisions, their satisfaction with the healthcare experience increases. The telehealth platform can facilitate more personalized and interactive communication with clinicians, fostering trust and stronger patient-provider relationships.
• Potential for Cost Savings: While not the primary focus, improved device adherence and reduced abandonment can lead to long-term cost savings for both patients and the healthcare system by minimizing the need for replacements or additional interventions due to poor initial choices or lack of understanding.
• Community Benefit: As patients achieve better functional outcomes and reintegrate more fully into their communities, it can lead to increased social participation, economic activity, and overall well-being within the community.

Contribution to Personal and Professional Experience:

This project has significantly contributed to my personal and professional development, preparing me for the future as a DN-prepared nurse in several key ways:

• Enhanced Understanding of Evidence-Based Practice: The project necessitated a thorough review and application of existing evidence related to telehealth, shared decision-making, and prosthetic care. This deepened my understanding of the EBP process, from identifying a clinical issue to proposing an evidence-informed solution and considering implementation strategies.
• Development of Leadership and Project Management Skills: Leading the conceptualization and planning of this project honed my leadership skills in identifying needs, setting goals, mobilizing resources (even conceptually), and developing a strategic implementation plan. It also strengthened my project management abilities, including defining scope, considering timelines, and anticipating potential challenges.
• Improved Understanding of Healthcare Disparities: The focus on rural populations highlighted the significant impact of social determinants of health, particularly geographical location, on access to care. This deepened my awareness of healthcare disparities and the importance of developing innovative solutions to address them.
• Enhanced Skills in Telehealth and Technology Integration: Researching and proposing a telehealth-based intervention provided valuable insights into the potential of technology to transform healthcare delivery. I gained a better understanding of various telehealth modalities and the considerations for their effective implementation.
• Strengthened Communication and Advocacy Skills: Articulating the rationale for the project, its potential impact, and the supporting evidence honed my communication skills. Furthermore, advocating for the needs of underserved populations and proposing a solution to address those needs strengthened my advocacy abilities, a crucial aspect of the advanced nursing role.
• Cultivation of a Proactive and Innovative Mindset: This project encouraged me to think critically about existing healthcare delivery models and to propose innovative solutions to improve patient care. It fostered a proactive mindset focused on identifying opportunities for positive change.
• Preparation for System-Level Thinking: Considering the broader implications of the project for the community and the healthcare system as a whole has prepared me for the system-level thinking required of a Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate.

Strategies for Ensuring Project Sustainability:

To ensure the Telehealth-Enhanced Patient Education Program remains sustainable and does not fall into disuse after graduation, I would implement the following strategies:

• Integration into Existing Organizational Infrastructure: The key to sustainability is embedding the program within the existing workflows and resources of the prosthetics organization. This includes collaborating with the IT department for long-term platform support, training existing clinical staff to deliver the telehealth education, and integrating the program into standard patient care protocols.
• Securing Administrative Buy-in and Support: Continuous engagement with organizational leadership, including the CHRO and VP of Clinical Operations, is crucial to demonstrate the program's value and secure ongoing financial and administrative support. Presenting data on improved patient outcomes, satisfaction, and potential cost savings will be essential.
• Developing Train-the-Trainer Programs: To ensure the program can be scaled and sustained over time, developing a train-the-trainer model will empower other clinical staff to become proficient in delivering the telehealth education modules and facilitating virtual shared decision-making.
• Creating Accessible and User-Friendly Resources: The telehealth platform and educational materials must be user-friendly for both patients and clinicians. Regular updates based on user feedback will ensure continued relevance and engagement.
• Establishing Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation: Implementing a system for continuous monitoring of program utilization, patient outcomes, satisfaction, and clinician feedback will provide data to demonstrate the program's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement and adaptation. This data will be crucial for justifying ongoing resource allocation.
• Seeking External Funding and Partnerships: Exploring opportunities for grants, research funding, or partnerships with telehealth technology providers or rural health organizations can provide additional resources for program maintenance and expansion.
• Champion Identification and Engagement: Identifying and engaging key clinicians and administrative staff who are passionate about the program and can champion its continued use and integration within the organization will be vital for long-term sustainability.
• Dissemination of Findings and Best Practices: Sharing the program's successes and lessons learned through presentations, publications, and internal communication channels can build support and encourage its continued use and adoption.

Sample Answer

Impact and Sustainability of the Telehealth-Enhanced Patient Education Project

Generating Positive Change in the Community and Patients' Lives:

The Telehealth-Enhanced Patient Education and Shared Decision-Making Program for prosthetic device selection and training has the potential to generate positive change in the community and, most importantly, in the lives of patients in several significant ways:

• Improved Patient Empowerment and Autonomy: By providing comprehensive and accessible information through telehealth modalities, patients, especially those in rural areas, will be better equipped to understand their prosthetic options. This increased knowledge empowers them to actively participate in the shared decision-making process, ensuring the selected device aligns with their individual needs, goals, and lifestyle. This fosters a greater sense of control over their healthcare journey and promotes autonomy.