Evolving Nursing Practice and Patient Care Delivery Models (Feedback)
In essence, this paper focuses on providing feedback provided by nurses about the evolving practice of nursing and the patient care delivery models. Moreover, at the center of this discussion is the determination of the consistency of the nurses’ feedback with the readily available evidence of health reform.
Summary of Feedback
Following the realization of the imminent health care delivery changes, the recipients of this information (nurses) had mixed reactions concerning this issue. Such is the case given that characteristic of the nurses’ feedback were different opinions about the specifics of the new delivery models. To begin with, on the positive side, the nurses welcomed the introduction of the ACO care delivery model. According to them, this form of patient care delivery would change nursing practice and healthcare for the better. Central to this conclusion was the observation that the value-based payment envisaged in this care delivery model would enable nurses to contribute to the patient care experience maximally. Additionally, the nurses acknowledged that ACO model’s ability to improve healthcare professionals’ accountability and responsibility while they provide care to sick individuals was another advantage, which made it an attractive prospect. Notwithstanding, the nurses also had a good feeling about the new patient care delivery models since, in their opinion, they had full government support. At the heart of their argument was the observation that the law (Affordable Care Act, ACA) had the provision for grants and financial incentives for the various patient care delivery models. In their opinion, such support means that the government has the best interest of the patients at heart.
Concerning the expanded roles across the various healthcare settings, the nurses had some interesting ideas that are worth noting. Primarily, the nurses were of the idea that the new responsibilities envisaged in the future patient care delivery settings provided them a chance to work in other healthcare settings other than the hospital. According to them, such a provision would enhance the nurses’ contribution because they can offer their services in various settings. Furthermore, the nurses showed contentment with the greater control they would have over patient care upon the new care delivery models’ full implementation. For example, they observed that the nurses’ roles in the medical homes and nurse-managed health clinics would profit the healthcare sector greatly. Strengthening their argument is the notion that services such as coordination of care and offering wellness as well as behavioral telemedicine visits to chronically ill patients increase the opportunities for nurses to contribute more in the plan of care like other medical professionals.
Discussion
Precisely, the entire nurse’s reactions towards the patient care delivery models are consistent with the findings in the readily available literature. For example, Tu, Muhlestein, Kocot, and White, (2015), in their study, observed that ACO care delivery model increases the chances of improving patient satisfaction and outcomes such as a decrease in readmissions and mortality rates. Central to the realization of such outcomes is the enhanced accountability among medical professionals working in ACO as a means to secure financial incentives that are inevitable with the attainment of the predetermined and set quality standards. Notwithstanding, the nurses had the perception that the increased government support, which comes with these healthcare delivery models would profit the nursing practice significantly. In essence, such an opinion is true because, with financial assistance, nurses have an extra motivation towards providing quality services to the patients. Ultimately, this contribution improves the standards of care offered to patients, and patients’ contentment (Tu, Muhlestein, Kocot, & White, 2015).
Likewise, the nurses’ feelings towards the expanded roles across various healthcare setting are consistent with the results of studies focusing on this issue. Primarily, the nurses were receptive to the idea of working in other settings (community, nursing-led clinics, and medical homes) in addition to the hospital setting. Consistent with this reception is the findings in another study that depicted nurses that were willing to work in many settings rather than confined to one. The participants of that study cited that their preference for working in multiple setting was due to many reasons, which are worth mention. According to them, the reasons for such a preference include the need for change given the boredom of working in one place for long, tight rules that restricted their functionality, and the pursuit of a new challenge in the nursing career (Fairman, Rowe, Hassmiller, & Shalala, 2011).
Finally, the nurses’ perception of commanding a greater authority over healthcare matters with the full implementation of the patient care delivery models is also reminiscent of findings by researchers interested in this issue. A befitting example, Naylor, and colleagues, (2011) stressed that ascension of many nurses to leadership positions and assumption of more advanced roles was inevitable with the full implementation of patient care delivery models. With a high number of nurses in leadership positions, nurses’ greater contributions in medical issues are unavoidable. That is for sure since the nurses in leadership positions will have more opportunities to take part in policy formulation debates and direct proceedings in several healthcare settings like health homes.
Conclusion
In closure, this paper focused on providing the feedback of nurses about the evolving nursing practice and the healthcare delivery models as well as determining the consistency of the feedback with the readily available evidence. Indeed, from the analysis, it is clear that nurses’ perceptions of the issues presented to them are consistent with the existing evidence. As such, going into the future, there is hope that nurses will be ready for this transformation despite the unpredictability of change.
References
Fairman, J. A., Rowe, J. W., Hassmiller, S., & Shalala, D. E. (2011). Broadening the scope of nursing practice. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(3), 193-196.
Naylor, M. D., Aiken, L. H., Kurtzman, E. T., Olds, D. M., & Hirschman, K. B. (2011). The importance of transitional care in achieving health reform. Health affairs, 30(4), 746-754.
Tu, T., Muhlestein, D., Kocot, S. L., & White, R. (2015). Origins and Future of Accountable Care Organizations. Retrieved 24July 2017, fromhttps://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Impact-of-Accountable-CareOrigins-052015.pdf
