The healthcare organization where I work as the DNP leading the Nurse Practice Council focuses on providing complete primary medical care for patients who have difficulty reaching a doctor’s office. This includes patients who may be elderly, have mobility issues, or live in remote areas. Our organization’s goal is to improve access to care and ensure that our patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care in the comfort of their own homes.
As the DNP leading the Nurse Practice Council, one of my primary responsibilities is to help the group choose and adopt an evidence-based practice (EBP) framework to guide our translational projects. In making this decision, several key considerations must be taken into account. Firstly, the chosen model must apply to our specific patient population and setting. Our organization primarily cares for patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure (Nieuwboer et al., 2018). Therefore, the model or framework we choose must be designed to address the specific needs of these patients. It is also important that the model or framework is well suited for home-based care, as this is the setting in which we provide care.
Secondly, strong research and evidence should support the chosen model or framework. As an organization committed to providing evidence-based care, it is essential that the model or framework we choose has been rigorously tested and found to be effective in improving patient outcomes. Additionally, it is important to consider the level of evidence that supports the model or framework and the generalizability of the findings.
Lastly, the chosen framework should be feasible to implement within our organization. This includes considerations such as the resources required to implement the model or framework, the required staff training level, and the potential barriers to implementation. It is also important to consider the level of support available for implementation, such as from professional organizations or experts in the field.
One framework that meets these considerations is the Chronic Care Model (CCM). The CCM is a comprehensive, evidence-based framework designed to improve the care of patients with chronic conditions, such as those seen in our organization. The CCM focuses on improving the quality of care provided through the integration of clinical and community resources and patient self-management support (Nieuwboer et al., 2018). The CCM is also effective in improving patient outcomes and has been widely adopted in primary care settings, including home-based care.
In this discussion, several of the DNP essentials apply. The first essential is scientific underpinnings for practice. The instance chosen must be supported by strong research and evidence. Additionally, the second essential, organizational and systems leadership, is also applicable as the decision to adopt a model or framework must consider the feasibility of implementation within the organization and the resources required (Polancich et al., 2018). The third essential, quality improvement and safety, is also relevant as the goal is to improve patient care quality and safety. Finally, the fourth essential, healthcare policy and advocacy, is also applicable as the chosen model or framework should align with the organization’s goals and mission and current healthcare policies.
Finally, as the DNP leading the Nurse Practice Council in a healthcare company that delivers comprehensive primary medical care to individuals who have trouble getting to a doctor’s office, it is critical to select an EBP model that is appropriate for our specific patient population and setting. A framework supported by strong research and evidence is feasible to implement within our organization. The Chronic Care Model (CCM) is an example of a model or framework that meets these considerations. In this decision, several of the DNP essentials must be applied to realize the goal of improving quality.
Reference
Nieuwboer, M. S., van der Sande, R., van der Marck, M. A., Olde Rikkert, M. G., & Perry, M. (2018). Clinical leadership and integrated primary care: A systematic literature review. European Journal of General Practice, 25(1), 7–18. Web.
Polancich, S., James, D. H., Miltner, R. S., Smith, G. L., & Moneyham, L. (2018). Building DNP essential skills in clinical data management and analysis. Nurse Educator, 43(1), 37–41. Web.