New Practice Approaches
Today, the emphasis is placed on preventing major obesity complications rather than its immediate treatment. Clinicians attempt to avoid damaging bariatric surgeries by promoting healthy practices within communities (Jakobsen et al., 2018). The current evidence-based approach consists of utilizing global research data to outline the primary risk factors and groups, addressing them with preventive interventions (Wadden & Bray, 2018). This way, complications of obesity are prevented, and damaging repercussions are avoided, alleviating the pressure on the system and reducing the costs of care for both sides. In fact, the new practice is an ongoing pursuit that does not overwrite past experiences but uses them as a foundation for more advanced approaches.
Interprofessional Collaboration
The comprehensive approach to eradicating obesity-associated complications within communities requires strong interprofessional collaboration. Doctors and nurses engaged directly in the treatment of such patients play a pivotal role in the development of preventive policies. The psychological processes behind this health concern are essential in the development of the analysis and intervention. Accordingly, medical practitioners actively cooperate with clinical psychologists who help them determine the key points of emphasis and understand the mechanism behind the development of obesity (Aboueid et al., 2018).
In addition, clinicians actively enlist the help of physiotherapy specialists who promote innovative, non-invasive treatment options. This way, the expertise of various fields becomes combined to maximize the effect of the treatment.
Healthcare Delivery and Clinical Systems
Obesity is a serious public health concern that is associated with major complications in terms of the increased risk of cardiovascular conditions, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Thus, it requires well-coordinated efforts on behalf of the clinical team (Wadden & Bray, 2018). In this regard, nurses play a role of paramount importance in the delivery of primary care, becoming the cornerstone of the process. Considering the vast range of complications, it is vital to ensure proper communication between the clinical systems in order to establish a full understanding of the presenting condition. Nurses effectively act as the key link, ensuring that the services are delivered timely and coordinated for better treatment outcomes.
Ethical Considerations in Health Care
In the 21st century, ethics has become a key notion that determines the nature of the most spheres of human activity. According to Peter (2018), today’s clinical settings face colossal ethical issues and dilemmas, which complicate the work process for nurses as the primary enablers of ethical practices in healthcare. The nature of their work is highly personal, requiring an individual approach to each patient. This notion is particularly true for obesity treatment, as people with this condition are subject to lower self-esteem and corresponding psychological issues. Thus, despite the complexity of the task, it is a nurse’s primary obligation to be the leading enforcer of ethics in the clinical setting.
Practices of Culturally Sensitive Care
Today’s society demonstrates an unprecedented level of diversity of backgrounds, traditions, and opinions. Moreover, these aspects are increasingly recognized by the global community across most settings. The clinical environment is expected to follow this general trend, implementing culturally informed practices. In spite of the emphasis on physical health, moral and ethical issues have become integral to the delivery of care. Thus, the key aspects of the patient’s culture are important enablers of trust and fruitful communication. Healthcare is to be a respectful practice performed in light of all pertinent variables exhibited by the patient (Peter, 2018). In this regard, the role of cultural aspects is too important to be disregarded by clinicians.
Ensuring the Integrity of Human Dignity
The clinical context implies a strong degree of communication and cooperation between people, each of whom possesses their own unique personality. Every patient that seeks medical help is, first of all, a person with specific traits, background, beliefs, and interests. It is natural for an individual to desire respect and inclusiveness. Accordingly, any degree of dehumanization is unacceptable within the framework of 21st-century healthcare (Peter, 2018). As per the principles of patient autonomy, every individual has the right of choice and the ability to voice their views on the process. As such, even though nurses and other clinicians may possess specialized professional knowledge, they cannot allow the violation of the patient’s dignity and integrity.
Population Health Concerns
In the current environment, nurses work with entire communities rather than individual acute cases. Prevention of morbid conditions is an essential component of today’s medical practices, which are related directly to the notion of public health concerns. Communities seek precise and evidence-based information regarding their health, as well as the ways of protecting it. In this context, the nurse’s role is to take an active part in the process of public education in terms of medical practices and lifestyle.
The Role of Technology
The 21st century has become the age of technological progress that permeates all spheres of human activity, and healthcare is not an exception from the general tendency. Advanced solutions facilitate multiple aspects of healthcare delivery, from initial screening to post-discharge observations. In the context of obesity treatment, dietary interventions and active lifestyles have become the dominant non-invasive options for prevention and mitigation (Viglione et al., 2019).
In this regard, technology helps clinicians communicate with their patients remotely and present treatment plans in a convenient form. Diet and exercise plans are available in cloud-based formats, whereas the physical activity and vital signs of the patient can be monitored using smartwatches and bracelets. The nexus of clinical expertise and technology opens new avenues for the development of patient-centered, efficient care.
Health Policy
Effective public health policies reflect the government’s involvement in addressing the primary issues faced by the system. In terms of obesity prevention and treatment, modern public organizations tend to promote a healthier lifestyle and physical activity. Authorities actively support the construction of sports facilities, the services of which become both accessible and affordable. Healthier dietary options equally gain popularity through the active participation of authoritative organizations, such as the CDC (Wadden & Bray, 2018). Accordingly, the involvement of effective policies facilitates the efforts made by clinicians on the path to a healthier population.
Leadership and Economic Models
The healthcare system remains in the process of continuous innovations on all levels. This idea encompasses an array of aspects, from the technical arsenal to the psychology behind healthcare delivery. In the context of perpetual transformation, strong leadership is required to enable quality changes. More specifically, the magnitude of the change process requires nursing leaders to rely on the transformational model of leadership. It promotes shared values and profound communication between all elements of the system, ensuring that the priorities are adopted by everyone (Fischer, 2017). When this approach is executed correctly, the system becomes more efficient, improving care quality and reducing costs. Thus, transformational leadership in healthcare introduces major economic benefits for all sides.
Health Disparities
Health disparities are the primary target for eradication in the ethical healthcare environment. The care of the 21st century is to be affordable and accessible to all social groups and communities. In this context, all aspects of effective practices become united in a nexus that has the potential to eliminate the presenting disparities (Peter, 2018). More specifically, this task requires strong transformational leadership executed to instill ethical practices in light of cultural, social, and personal factors. The economic side of the matter is equally important, as it promotes the affordability of care.
References
Aboueid, S., Pouliot, C., Bourgeault, I., & Giroux, I. (2018). A systematic review of interprofessional collaboration for obesity management in primary care, a focus on dietetic referrals. Journal of Research in Interprofessional Practice and Education, 8(1). Web.
Fischer, S. A. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing education: Making the case. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(2), 124–128. Web.
Jakobsen, G. S., Smastuen, M. C., Sandbu, R., Nordstrand, N., Hosfo, D., Lindber, M., Hertel, J. K., & Hjelmesæth, J. (2018). Association of bariatric surgery vs. medical obesity treatment with long-term medical complications and obesity-related comorbidities. Journal of the American Medical Association, 319(3), 291-301. Web.
Viglione, C., Bouwman, D., Rahman, N. et al. (2019). A technology-assisted health coaching intervention vs. enhanced usual care for Primary Care-Based Obesity Treatment: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Obesity, 6. Web.
Wadden, T. A., & Bray, G. A. (2018). Handbook of obesity treatment (2nd ed.). Guilford Publications.