Technology, Care Coordination, and Community Resources Considerations

There are several ways in which health care technology, coordination of care, and community resources can be applied to address the challenges faced by individuals with quadriplegia and co-morbidities who are medically fragile. These approaches can include:

Health care technology: There are a number of health care technologies that can be used to improve the care and support received by individuals with quadriplegia and co-morbidities who are medically fragile. For example, telehealth technologies, such as telemedicine or remote monitoring, can be used to provide access to specialized care and support, even for individuals who may have difficulty accessing healthcare services in person (Lopez et al., 2021). In addition, assistive technologies, such as specialized mobility devices or communication aids, can help these individuals maintain their independence and improve their overall quality of life.

Coordination of care: Effective coordination of care can be critical for addressing the challenges faced by individuals with quadriplegia and co-morbidities who are medically fragile. This can involve working with a range of healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, specialists, and therapists, to ensure that all of the necessary care and support is being provided in a coordinated and timely manner (Hui et al., 2018). In addition, coordinating care with community resources, such as home health agencies or transportation services, can help ensure that these individuals have access to the support they need to maintain their health and well-being.

Community resources: Community resources can be an important source of support for individuals with quadriplegia and co-morbidities who are medically fragile (Siddiqui et al., 2022). These resources can include local organizations or agencies that provide assistance with transportation, housing, or other basic needs, as well as support groups or peer mentorship programs that can provide social and emotional support.

To explore these aspects of the problem during the practicum, it is helpful to spend approximately 2 direct practicum hours with the patient, family, or group I have chosen to work with, and to consult with subject matter and industry experts as needed. This can involve discussing the challenges faced by these individuals and brainstorming potential strategies or approaches that could be used to address these challenges, as well as identifying and utilizing available resources and technologies that could be helpful in improving the care and support received by these individuals.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Health Care Technology

Health care technology can...

There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to the use of specific technologies in addressing these challenges, as outlined in the literature.

One advantage of health care technology, such as video consulting, is that it can improve access to care and support for these individuals, particularly for those who may have difficulty accessing healthcare services in person (Donaghy et al., 2019). For example, telehealth technologies, such as telemedicine or remote monitoring, can allow these individuals to receive specialized care and support from...

…and the processes for coordinating care with these resources.

Local, state, and federal policies or legislation can also have an impact on the nursing scope of practice in the context of technology, care coordination, and community resources. For example, local policies or legislation may impact the availability and access to certain technologies or resources, while state policies or legislation may govern the nursing scope of practice and the types of technologies or resources that nurses are allowed to use. Federal policies or legislation may impact the overall funding and resources available to healthcare providers, which can impact the ability of healthcare providers to utilize technology, care coordination, and community resources in addressing the challenges faced by these individuals.

Ethics

Nursing ethics will also inform the approach to addressing the challenges faced by individuals with quadriplegia and co-morbidities who are medically fragile through the use of applied technology, care coordination, and community resources. This may involve considering the ethical implications of the use of certain technologies or resources, such as the potential risks or benefits to the individual or the impact on the nursing scope of practice. It may also involve ensuring that the care and support provided to these individuals is consistent with the principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice. This can involve respecting the rights and preferences of the individual, ensuring that the care and support provided is in the best interests of the individual, avoiding harm to the individual, and ensuring that the care and support provided…