Week 6

The guiding PICOT question for my DNP project remains: In adults diagnosed with hypertension (P), how does the implementation of a hypertension management program including lifestyle modification support, medication adherence strategies, and regular monitoring (I) compare to usual care (C) in reducing blood pressure levels, decreasing the incidence of hypertension-related complications, and improving patient satisfaction (O) within 12 months (T)?

Summary of Goals for the Sixth Week

The sixth week of my practicum was focused on further solidifying the implementation of the hypertension management program while also addressing any challenges. The goals for this week were to improve data collection processes, continue with refining patient engagement strategies, and make sure that the staff is fully supported in their roles within the program. One specific objective was to improve the accuracy of blood pressure measurements by providing additional training to staff on best practices and protocols (Shimbo et al., 2020).

Description of Activities Conducted This Week

This week involved a combination of patient-facing activities, staff training, and data analysis. One of the activities was conducting refresher training sessions for the staff, focusing on the accurate measurement of blood pressure. These sessions were necessary to address inconsistencies observed in earlier data collection. In terms of patient engagement, I spent time conducting follow-up sessions with patients to discuss their experiences with the hypertension management program. These sessions were invaluable in gathering patient feedback. For example, some patients expressed difficulties with certain aspects of the lifestyle modification recommendations, such as dietary changes or exercise routines. In response, I worked with them to develop more manageable goals and provided additional...

I began a preliminary review of the data collected over the past six weeks, focusing on key metrics such as blood pressure levels and medication adherence rates. This analysis was meant to identify early trends that could inform future adjustments to the program. For instance, I noted that while many patients showed improvements in their blood pressure levels, a subset of patients remained resistant to lifestyle modifications, which suggests the need for more targeted interventions.

Positive Elements of This Week

This week...

…Associate Dean, I will report a total of 37 hours into my practicum log for this week.

DNP Essentials and Role Competencies

Essential III, which emphasizes Clinical Scholarship and Analytical Methods for Evidence-Based Practice, was particularly relevant this week as I engaged in preliminary data analysis to assess the effectiveness of the hypertension management program. This analysis is important for spotting trends and making data-driven decisions (Williams, 2021).

Essential IV focuses on Information Systems/Technology and Patient Care Technology for the Improvement and Transformation of Health Care, and it was also relevant due to the challenges related to the delay in blood pressure monitoring equipment. Patients need to have access to the necessary technology; this is a key component of effective care, and this weeks experiences showed the importance of contingency planning in this area (Liebler & McConnell, 2020).

Lastly, Essential VII, which pertains to Clinical Prevention and Population Health for Improving the Nations Health, was reflected in the ongoing efforts to engage patients in lifestyle modifications and preventive measures. The focus on patient-centered care and individualized support shows the importance of coming up with interventions…