Assessing the Problem: Technology, Care Coordination, and Community Resources Considerations

The Impact of Health Care Technology on Diabetic Patients
Diabetes is a chronic disease that reduces the blood sugar levels in patients. High blood sugar levels characterize it and can be treated with insulin and other medications. In the past decades, there has been a rapid increase in diabetics. Most of the patients with diabetes are older than 60 years old. The main cause of the increase in people with diabetes is rapid urbanization and a sedentary lifestyle. Healthcare technology has transformed how doctors treat patients (Rodríguez-Fortúnez et al., 2019). Thanks to technology, healthcare providers can access patient information, prescription orders, and medical records quickly and conveniently. Many patients appreciate the convenience and comfort health care technology provides. Technology has a lot to offer the diabetic community in particular. That is because diabetic patients need a lot of health care monitoring and treatment options. The integration of technology saves time and money. Many patients appreciate the convenience and comfort health care technology provides. Technology has a lot to offer the diabetic community in particular. That is because diabetic patients need a lot of health care monitoring and treatment options. The diabetic patient interviewed and utilized in this nursing practicum is Pamela Campbell, who has been battling type 2 diabetes for the last four years. She is 71 years old and has adopted lifestyle modification behaviors to manage the condition.
There are several effective methods to treat diabetes, like prescription medicine, diet, and exercise. The methods are more effective when patients participate in health education and self-care. A major advantage of telemedicine is that it enables people with diabetes to consult physicians at home or another convenient place. This provides better access to healthcare services and encourages patients to take part in their treatment plans.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine is a new concept in modern medicine that involves the use of advanced communication technology in healthcare. It is a medical treatment that uses telecommunications to diagnose, treat and provide medical services to patients. It has been developed due to technological advancements and is revolutionizing the healthcare sector globally. It can be used for various medical purposes, such as providing healthcare to rural areas, providing healthcare during disasters, and providing healthcare to soldiers stationed in other countries (Sim & Lee, 2021). Most diabetic patients should avoid visiting doctor’s offices since they can be treated at home easily through mobile phones to communicate with healthcare providers. Use of phones, computers, and the internet are the key devices used in this telecommunication technology. The diabetic patient in this assessment lives in remote areas; therefore, mobile phones are the key devices to facilitate telemedicine. The remote provision of healthcare services through advanced communication technology helps reduce costs and regular visits to healthcare centers.
Telemedicine allows diabetic patients to consult with doctors and other healthcare providers about their concerns regarding their diabetes. The doctor will conduct a consultation remotely with the patient via video link and answer any patient questions. This can be done easily at home with the help of modern communication technology. This is much more convenient compared to visiting an office or clinic. Since there are no delays, food, or annoying surroundings, patients can concentrate on discussing their concerns regarding their health without distraction. Regular visits of diabetic patients in the hospital can be dangerous because patients may contract other diseases or infections. The adoption of telemedicine helps reduce these risks of infections by enhancing the provision of remote healthcare services (Sim & Lee, 2021). Diabetic conditions can be managed at home; telehealth applications enable healthcare providers to monitor and adjust the medical recommendations to the patients without requiring the patient to visit hospitals but through telecommunication platforms such as phones, the internet, and computers, among other platforms.
Many doctors and healthcare facilities have upgraded to support telemedicine over the last decade. However, not all healthcare professionals are well-informed about this technology. A poor understanding of telemedicine can lead to suboptimal results for patients. Therefore, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of telemedicine so everyone can make informed decisions. A primary advantage of telematics is that medical professionals can reach patients more quickly. Traditional healthcare methods require traveling at least 30 minutes from a doctor’s clinic to a patient’s home. This is time-consuming, and people with critical conditions such as diabetes may not have time for the trip or wait for an appointment. Modern technology allows for short travel times by teleporting medical professionals to a patient’s location. Not only does this reduce travel time, but it also reduces the risk of exposure to the disease on the way. Telemedicine includes the interactive that allows real-time physical patient interaction and communication while remaining compliance with ethical principles.
Telemedicine or telemedical technology is a type of medical care that uses digital technology to provide medical care without traveling to an institution. Telemedicine as technology can be widely used in rural areas where it provides access to quality healthcare with minimal costs. However, several challenges need to be addressed before telemedicine can become a regular practice in rural areas of the country.
The first challenge of using telehealth technology in the management of diabetes is the concerns of patient privacy and reimbursement. The internet cannot guarantee the diabetic victim the safety of data. The online patient data provided to healthcare providers do not guarantee patient safety, privacy, and confidentiality. Telemedicine applications can harm patient data if there are no guidelines for data sharing and privacy policies.
Telemedicine may be ineffective during emergency care because connecting with healthcare providers may be challenging, especially when they are occupied with other roles. The response may delay the treatment process. The healthcare providers, through the message, calls, or video calls, cannot directly administer care services hence not effective during emergencies. Also, the quality of diagnoses the diabetic patients receive through telehealth applications may be ineffective, especially when the patients do not describe symptoms clearly. A physical examination and important procedures cannot be performed via telemedicine.
Poor infrastructure, such as poor internet connections and lack of electricity, can hinder the implementation of telehealth applications. Intensive training is also required to achieve care coordination and management of diabetes. Physicians alongside other healthcare providers need to understand how to use telemedicine effectively. This means ensuring that the equipment and software are properly configured before allowing patients to use them. It is also necessary to ensure that the staff members who are helping with the setup are well-trained and well-motivated. After the setup is complete, physicians should perform regular software and hardware updates to ensure optimal performance. This will allow them to provide patients with the best possible care.
Care Coordination and Utilization of Community Resources
People with diabetes often face a heightened risk of health problems, so it is important to use all resources to address these issues. Many states have established diabetes resources for people with the condition, making connecting to services easy and affordable. Individuals can use their time and money to create a diabetes-specific resource area at home, club, or workplace. Diabetes is a progressive disease that affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. It is a major health issue that requires constant monitoring and treatment. Unfortunately, many people face difficulty managing the disease due to its high prevalence and minimal medical resources. Fortunately, people with diabetes are making strides in overcoming these challenges and helping others live healthier lives.
Care coordination is a way to organize the care of someone with diabetes better. Care coordination of the community resources and linking the patient to nearby or local healthcare providers can help improve services, reduce costs, and allow sharing of resources among a given patient’s care providers. Through the use of telehealth applications, the health professional can coordinate with remote healthcare centers and provide them with adequate interventions to enhance the quality of care. Through these advanced telecommunication technologies, patient needs and preferences are achieved through the coordination of community groups and community nurses to facilitate the delivery of high-quality care. The patient care coordinator provides comprehensive care to diabetic patients by developing, monitoring, and assessing each case.
Community resources the healthcare providers can link diabetic patients via telehealth applications include available gyms that can help keep weight under control, available food that enhances healthy diets, interactions with dieticians and psychologists, community groups that provide education about diabetes and its management, utilizes of community nurses Community self-management programs among other resources (Aberer, Hochfellner & Mader, 2021). The exercise programs in the community can be helpful to diabetic patients. Rehabilitation centers in the community have proved to be effective in enhancing lifestyle modifications such as stopping smoking behaviors and reducing alcohol consumption which are the risk factors that lead to negative outcomes. Healthy food is among the community-available resources which can help enhance patient outcomes. Healthcare providers use telehealth applications to link victims to community resources or use community nurses to help the victims identify all the available community resources. Community diabetes support organizations exist to help diabetic patients manage their conditions through many educational and material support programs.
Patients should join a diabetes support group to connect with others who are going through the same challenges. Patients should attempt to live as healthy as possible to prevent complications from diabetes. A diabetic support group allows people to discuss problems and find solutions without feeling ashamed (Aberer, Hochfellner & Mader, 2021). There are online resources available to help with diabetes management. It is possible to live a healthy life with diabetes if the condition is understood and managed effectively. Professionals typically lead groups and can be informal or structured- depending on the group. These groups can be beneficial for both the management of diabetes and for those who have been diagnosed with the condition.
Managing diabetes requires an aggressive yet compassionate approach. People with the condition often feel embarrassed and ashamed of their illness. They may also have trouble losing weight or controlling their blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is important to encourage people with diabetes to seek help when they need it. Plus, it is crucial to inform them of safe diet and exercise habits so that they can improve their health on their terms. Doing so helps people better manage their disease and live normal life.
State Board Nursing Practice Standards/Organizational /Governmental Policies
Nursing professionals must consider the privacy issues surrounding their use of telecommunications devices. Businesses must have a privacy policy to address issues regarding their use of telecommunications devices for marketing purposes. Patients have the right to expect their medical information to be kept private and secure (Balestra, 2018). The State Board of Nursing requires practicing nurses to know the nursing profession and its practice standards. Telehealth enables practicing nurses to practice their nursing skills remotely without leaving home. Practicing nurses can effectively practice their nursing skills through telehealth. The State Board of Nursing (SBN), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), sets standards for the nursing profession (Galiero et al., 2020). SBN conducts periodic practice exams to ensure that Registered Nurses (RNs) know the necessities to practice their professions safely and competently interact with telecommunication technologies. Practicing nurses also receive ongoing education and training to help them stay up-to-date with new practices and techniques.
A standard of practice quality under the standards of professional performance suggests registered nurses should improve the efficacy and quality of nursing practice in a systematic approach (Current Nursing). Nursing practice is always being improved through the application of cutting-edge technologies. This guideline governs how individuals with coronary artery disease can use wearable technology and telemedicine (Balestra, 2018). The ethical norm that mandates that healthcare delivery be done in a way that preserves patients’ rights, autonomy, and dignity limits how this standard can be applied (Galiero et al., 2020). What transpires when data breaches occur, and unauthorized individuals have access to information, medical details, and prescription reports? The final requirement on resource use is that nurses consider costs, safety, effectiveness, and the impact on nursing practice when preparing and providing nursing services (Current Nursing).
When there are options for practice that would result in the patient’s precise expected outcome, the nurse is responsible for evaluating elements relating to effectiveness, cost, safety, and availability. When using technology and coordinating treatment, one must evaluate an option’s efficiency, cost, safety, and accessibility and whether it will produce the same results for patients as intended (Balestra, 2018). Consider the available community resources, the anticipated patient result, and the appropriate technology and type of care for the coronary disease patient (Aberer, Hochfellner & Mader, 2021). The ethical principle of autonomy must be respected, nevertheless. This principle mandates that every single patient can choose their path and exercise self-determination. Patients must be provided with all of their alternatives, medical knowledge, and education to make the decision they believe is best for them. Nursing Standards require nurses to interact with patients using telecommunication devices such as phones, computers, and others and must be conscious of transmitting private medical information to unscrupulous individuals.

References
Aberer, F., Hochfellner, D. A., & Mader, J. K. (2021). Application of telemedicine in diabetes care: The time is now. Diabetes Therapy, 12, 629-639.
Balestra, M. (2018). Telehealth and legal implications for nurse practitioners. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 14(1), 33–39.
Galiero, R., Pafundi, P. C., Nevola, R., Rinaldi, L., Acierno, C., Caturano, A., … & Sasso, F. C. (2020). The importance of telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic: a focus on diabetic retinopathy. Journal of diabetes research, 2020.
Rodríguez-Fortúnez, P., Franch-Nadal, J., Fornos-Pérez, J. A., Martínez-Martínez, F., de Paz, H. D., & Orera-Peña, M. L. (2019). Cross-sectional study about the use of telemedicine for type 2 diabetes mellitus management in Spain: patient’s perspective. The EnREDa2 study. BMJ open, 9(6), e028467.
Sim, R., & Lee, S. W. H. (2021). Patient preference and satisfaction with telemedicine for glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes: a review. Patient preference and adherence, pp. 283–298.