Practicum in Healthcare Setting
PICOT Question
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)?
Goals for the First Week
The main goal for the first week is to set the foundation for the hypertension management program. There needs to be a staff orientation, collection of baseline data, itemization of resources, and proper engagement with the patient. In terms of orienting staff there should be a session to introduce the program to the staff, to explain the objectives, convey expectations, and define their roles in the program. The collection of baseline data on patients blood pressure needs to be started along with it should be collected information on treatment regimens and lifestyle factors. Available resources need to be known, such as teaching tools, monitoring tools, tracking systems, and everything needs to be distributed. Finally, patients need to be identified and entered into the program after explaining the benefits obtaining their informed consent.
Activities Conducted
During this week, several activities were undertaken to set the stage for the hypertension management program. First off, a comprehensive session was held to brief the healthcare team on the hypertension management program. Topics included the importance of managing hypertension, what the specifics of the program are and what the role each team member would be, and questions were taken and answered at the end. Next, baseline data was collected from the first group of enrolled patients. This included recording their current blood pressure levels, lifestyle habits, and any medication they were taking along with other treatments. Blood pressure monitoring tools and educational materials were distributed to both staff and patients to make sure that everyone had the necessary information and tools to participate effectively in the program. As patients diagnosed with hypertension were identified and enrolled in the program, each patient was given an overview of what to expect and how the program would benefit their health.
Positive Elements
There were a number of positive outcomes in the first week. Participation was enthusiastic. Both staff and patients showed a high level of enthusiasm and commitment to the program. The staff was engaged during the orientation session and asked pertinent questions and showed readiness to participate. The process of collecting baseline data was smooth, and patients were very cooperative. There is no reason to think there will...
…a healthier society through preventive healthcare measures.
Improving Organizational Performance
A focus on hypertension management has the potential reduce the incidence of complications associated with high blood pressure, such as heart attacks and strokes (Fuchs & Welton, 2020). This can lead, therefore, to fewer hospital readmissions and lowers healthcare costs. Moreover, improved care delivery and patient outcomes enhance patient satisfaction, which is crucial for the organizations reputation (Pruette & Amaral, 2021). The project also positions the institution as a leader in evidence-based practice and chronic disease management, attracting partnerships and research opportunities.
The projects implementation involves staff orientation, baseline data collection, identifying and distributing resources, and enrolling patients. This weeks activities were focused on setting the groundwork for the hypertension management program. Positive outcomes were noted and included enthusiastic participation from staff and patients, efficient data collection, and resource readiness. Unexpected events did occur but they were minor, such as technical glitches and patient hesitancy. Each minor glitch was addressed. Adjustments for the next week include more IT support, targeted patient education, and streamlined data entry processes if possible.
This week, 20 hours were spent at the practicum site, with an additional 5 hours in meetings and consultations, totaling 25 hours in the practicum log. Overall, the hypertension management program is set to…
