Extra Training for Nurses on Patient Engagement

Professional Practice Development Experience Immersion: Week 5 Reflection

The guiding PICOT question for my DNP project is: 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 Fifth Week

My goals for this week focused on deepening patient engagement, refining staff training, and collecting data to evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions introduced thus far. Improving patient engagement involved continuing to personalize care plans and using motivational interviewing techniques to address any patient resistance to the new protocols. I also aimed at giving support to the staff with more targeted training sessions, so that they could handle challenges related to patient interactions. Another goal was the ongoing collection and analysis of data to assess the program's impact by comparing follow-up data with the baseline measurements. This week we also continued to focus on identifying and addressing any obstacles in the implementation process.

Description of Activities Conducted This Week

A significant portion of my time was dedicated to working directly with patients, focusing on personalized care plans to meet their individual needs. Motivational interviewing played a key role in these interactions, as it helped address the concerns of patients who were hesitant about the new hypertension management protocols (Dalcin et al., 2023). I also more training sessions for the staff, with a focus on managing patient resistance to maintain consistent application of the hypertension management protocol across all cases. We did follow-up measurements of blood pressure and medication adherence rates and compared against baseline data. This gave us more insights into the progress made. To support a collaborative environment, I held feedback sessions with the staff, where we discussed their experiences and any challenges they encountered (Karahan et al., 2022).

Positive Elements of This Week

One of the most encouraging elements was the improvement in patient engagement. The personalized care plans and motivational interviewing techniques were effective, as shown by the increased adherence to treatment plans among several patients. This progress indicated that the strategies were successful in addressing patient resistance. The collaborative spirit among the staff was another highlight of the week. We saw improved teamwork across the board. The data collected this week also showed promising trends, with a number of patients showing lower blood pressure levels and improved medication adherence compared to their baseline measurements.

Unexpected Events This Week

Despite the overall success of the week, a few unexpected events arose that required attention. Scheduling conflicts again came up as a challenge, despite efforts to accommodate the staffing needs. This was really the main issue. Patient engagement improved as did tech issues overall.

Adjustments for Next Week

To address the scheduling conflicts, we are trying to have flexible scheduling arrangements for training sessions and patient follow-ups. For patients who continue to show resistance, more focused interventions will be introduced, including one-on-one sessions. This tailored approach is expected to improve patient engagement and improve adherence to the hypertension management protocols (Duffy et al., 2021). Increased support will also be given to staff members who are experiencing challenges to handle any difficulties that arise.

Time Commitment

This week, I will be spending a total of 30 hours at the practicum site. These hours will be divided between direct engagement with patients and staff, conducting education sessions, and collecting and analyzing data. Specifically, 20 hours will be devoted to these direct activities, while 5 hours will be dedicated to meetings and feedback sessions with staff. The remaining 5 hours will be allocated to administrative tasks. Including the time spent with my DNP Mentor, Preceptor, Professor, and Associate Dean, I will report a total of 35 hours into my practicum log for this week.

DNP Essentials and Role Competencies

The activities conducted this week closely align with several DNP Essentials and Role Competencies. Essential II, which focuses on Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking, was reflected in the ongoing efforts to refine the hypertension management program and make necessary adjustments based on feedback (Crowell & Boynton, 2020). This essential emphasizes the importance of leadership in driving quality improvement initiatives and ensuring that systems are responsive to the needs of patients and staff alike. Essential VI, which highlights Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes, was demonstrated through the collaborative approach taken with the staff (Liebler & McConnell, 2020). The feedback sessions and continuous dialogue with the team underscore the value of interprofessional collaboration in achieving better health outcomes for patients. Finally, Essential VIII, which pertains to Advanced Nursing Practice, was evident in the direct engagement with patients, the application of evidence-based interventions, and the focus on improving patient outcomes through the hypertension management program (Williams, 2021). These activities demonstrate the integration of advanced nursing practice skills in a clinical setting, reinforcing the critical role of the DNP in enhancing patient care and driving positive health outcomes.