Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations
Prof. Name
Date
Interdisciplinary Plan Proposal
The increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes at St. Paul Regional Health Center necessitates a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to patient-centered education and care coordination. Many patients struggle with self-management due to limited education, poor nutritional guidance, and psychological barriers (Adhikari et al., 2021). This proposal aims to implement a structured diabetes education program within the outpatient diabetes management department. The program will take a team-based approach to improving self-care behaviors and reducing diabetes complications.
Objective
The primary objective of this plan is to establish an interdisciplinary diabetes education program. This initiative will involve primary care providers, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and behavioral health specialists. The goal is to enhance patient adherence to self-management practices. Research indicates that interdisciplinary care leads to improved patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs (Nurchis et al., 2022).
Questions and Predictions
Several key questions will guide the implementation and evaluation of this program.
- How does interdisciplinary collaboration impact patient adherence? It is expected that patient adherence to medication, diet, and exercise will improve by 20% within six months.
- What obstacles might hinder effective implementation? Initial resistance from staff and patients may arise, but continuous education and support will address these concerns.
- How will the program reduce hospital readmissions? Studies suggest a 15% reduction in diabetes-related hospital readmissions within one year (Pugh et al., 2021).
- What is the anticipated workload for the interdisciplinary team? Workload may increase by approximately 10%. However, structured workflows will enhance efficiency over time.
- What are the financial implications? While initial costs for training and technology will be high, long-term savings from reduced emergency visits and complications will offset expenses (Haque et al., 2021).
Change Theories and Leadership Strategies
Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model will guide the implementation of this program. This model emphasizes the need to create urgency around diabetes management, gain leadership support, and secure employee buy-in (Miles et al., 2023). The process will begin by raising awareness of diabetes self-management gaps and demonstrating the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration.
NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 3
A transformational leadership approach will also be utilized. Transformational leaders inspire team members through shared vision, collaboration, and innovation (Ystaas et al., 2023). This leadership style will encourage team participation, ensure sustained commitment, and promote shared decision-making.
Team Collaboration Strategy
Effective collaboration among healthcare professionals is essential for successful implementation. Each team member will have specific roles:
- Primary care providers will assess patients, prescribe medication, and monitor progress.
- Nurses will provide ongoing diabetes education and coordinate patient care.
- Dietitians will create individualized meal plans and educate patients on nutrition.
- Behavioral health specialists will address psychological barriers, including stress and emotional eating (Segal & Gunturu, 2024).
- Pharmacists will optimize medication regimens and provide patient education.
Weekly interdisciplinary meetings will facilitate teamwork, discuss patient progress, and adjust care plans. A shared electronic health record (EHR) system will enhance communication and reduce treatment gaps. Studies show that interdisciplinary teams using EHRs improve care coordination and reduce medication errors (Robertson et al., 2022).
Required Organizational Resources
Successful implementation of this program requires investments in staffing, training, and technology. Training will focus on diabetes education, motivational interviewing techniques, and interdisciplinary collaboration (Ng et al., 2023). Necessary equipment includes educational materials, blood glucose monitors, and telehealth technology for virtual consultations.
The estimated initial investment is $50,000 for training, educational materials, and technology. However, long-term savings of approximately $100,000 per year are projected due to reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Coordination with the hospital’s IT department will be necessary for EHR integration and approval from hospital administration for resource allocation (Robertson et al., 2022).
NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 3
Failure to implement this plan will likely result in continued patient non-adherence, increased hospital readmissions, and higher healthcare costs. Without structured education and support, patients are at risk for severe complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, and amputations. These complications significantly impact both healthcare costs and patients’ quality of life (Nurchis et al., 2022). By adopting an interdisciplinary diabetes education program, St. Paul Regional Health Center can improve patient outcomes and alleviate financial burdens.
Conclusion
This program offers a structured approach to improving diabetes management through interdisciplinary collaboration. With dedicated training and technology integration, patients will receive enhanced education and support, leading to better health outcomes and reduced hospital visits. Over time, the initiative will result in cost savings and improved quality of care.
References
Adhikari, M., Devkota, H. R., & Cesuroglu, T. (2021). Barriers to and facilitators of diabetes self-management practices in Rupandehi, Nepal- multiple stakeholders’ perspective. BMC Public Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11308-4
Haque, W. Z., Demidowich, A. P., Sidhaye, A., Golden, S. H., & Zilbermint, M. (2021). The financial impact of an inpatient diabetes management service. Current Diabetes Reports, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-020-01374-0
Miles, M. C., Richardson, K. M., Wolfe, R., Hairston, K., Cleveland, M., Kelly, C., Lippert, J., Mastandrea, N., & Pruitt, Z. (2023). Using Kotter’s change management framework to redesign departmental GME recruitment. Journal of Graduate Medical Education, 15(1), 98–104. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9934828/
NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 3
Ng, Y. K., Shah, N. M., Chen, T. F., Loganadan, N. K., Kong, S. H., Cheng, Y. Y., Sharifudin, S. S. M., & Chong, W. W. (2023). Impact of a training program on hospital pharmacists’ patient-centered communication attitudes and behaviors. Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy, 11, 100325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100325
Nurchis, M. C., Sessa, G., Pascucci, D., Sassano, M., Lombi, L., & Damiani, G. (2022). Interprofessional collaboration and diabetes management in primary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis of patient-reported outcomes. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm12040643
Pugh, J., Penney, L. S., Noël, P. H., Neller, S., Mader, M., Finley, E. P., Lanham, H. J., & Leykum, L. (2021). Evidence-based processes to prevent readmissions: More is better, a ten-site observational study. BioMed Central Health Services Research, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06193-x
NURS FPX 4005 Assessment 3
Robertson, S. T., Rosbergen, I. C. M., Jones, A. B., Grimley, R. S., & Brauer, S. G. (2022). The effect of the electronic health record on interprofessional practice: A systematic review. Applied Clinical Informatics, 13(03), 541–559. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1748855
Segal, Y., & Gunturu, S. (2024). Psychological issues associated with obesity. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603747/
Ystaas, L. M. K., Nikitara, M., Ghobrial, S., Latzourakis, E., Polychronis, G., & Constantinou, C. S. (2023). The impact of transformational leadership in the nursing work environment and patients’ outcomes: A systematic review. Nursing Reports, 13(3), 1271–1290. https://doi.org/10.3390/nursrep13030108