The Application of Data to Problem-Solving Nursing Essay

The Application of Data to Problem-Solving Nursing Essay

Healthcare Scenario:

Within the context of a pediatric outpatient primary care clinic, it is not uncommon for a single healthcare provider to attend to a daily caseload of 15-20 children or more. Among these children, some may come from households where dietary choices and physical activity levels may not align with the principles of good health. As healthcare practitioners, it is imperative to adopt a holistic perspective when assessing the health status of a child, taking into account the broader family dynamics. Therefore, the acquisition of data pertaining to children’s health within their home environment becomes crucial as it can aid in the prevention of various mental and physical health conditions.

How to Create a Clinical Data Management Plan

Data to Be Collected

Several key data points that warrant collection include the patient’s weight, blood pressure, a dietary log, an activity log, and an emotional well-being log. Additionally, insights from Imoisili et al. (2021) suggest the inclusion of hemoglobin A1c levels and markers for liver health, such as ALT and lipids. Depending on the child’s age, a gamified approach may be employed to motivate them to document their daily choices. The child can either record this information in a provided clinic notebook, which they can decorate or personalize, or utilize a mobile application tailored for this purpose, which can seamlessly sync with the clinic’s medical record system. It’s important to note that access to this data should be restricted to the patient’s healthcare provider. If a physical notebook is used, it can be returned to the clinic on a weekly basis for documentation into the medical records.

Insights Derived from Data

The data collected provides valuable insights into a patient’s home life, including their dietary options, physical activity levels, and emotional state. Each of these factors significantly influences a patient’s overall health, and they are interconnected. The understanding gained from this data enables healthcare providers to pinpoint the specific areas that require attention, moving beyond generic recommendations of healthier eating and increased physical activity. Delving into the root causes behind a child’s excess weight can lead to more successful outcomes for both the patient and their family. Moreover, the underlying issue may not necessarily relate to physical activity or food choices; it could be attributed to psychological stress, in which case, appropriate resources would be provided for the child’s psychological well-being.

Clinical Reasoning and Judgment

Clinical reasoning and judgment are shaped by the knowledge derived from this specific dataset. By examining trends among different age groups and populations regarding their physical activity and dietary choices, nurse leaders can make informed inferences about the impact of each individual patient’s daily life. Consequently, they can offer tailored suggestions for lifestyle modifications that the patient and their family can incorporate into their daily routines to promote better health.

Application of Data

While applying this dataset, healthcare providers must remain cognizant of the psychosocial aspects that can influence a child’s adherence to recommended changes. Berry et al. (2021) highlight the significance of addressing psychosocial concerns, such as family dysfunction or experiences of bullying, which can increase the likelihood of patients discontinuing their efforts towards better health. Therefore, it is essential to provide ongoing support and follow-up to ensure the best chances of success for the patient and their long-term well-being. Research by Thompson et al. (2019) underscores the positive impact of regular check-ups and guidance from nutrition and behavioral specialists in enhancing weight management outcomes over a two-year period.

Conclusion

Pediatric obesity is a prevalent issue in contemporary society, and the integration of data obtained from current patients can have a positive influence on their present and future health. This data can be collected through electronic means or traditional written methods, reflecting the versatility of modern technology in aiding patients beyond conventional approaches.

Resources

Berry, D. C., Rhodes, E. T., Hampl, S., Young, C. B., Cohen, G., Eneli, I., Fleischman, A., Ip, E., Sweeney, B., Houle, T. T., & Skelton, J. (2021). Stay in treatment: Predicting dropout from pediatric weight management study protocol. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 22. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2021.100799

Imoisili, O. E., Lundeen, E. A., Freedman, D. S., Womack, L. S., Wallace, J., Hambidge, S. J., Federico, S., Everhart, R., Harr, D., Vance, J., Kompaniyets, L., Dooyema, C., Park, S., Blanck, H. M., & Goodman, A. B. (2021). Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure Improvements With a Pediatric Weight Management Intervention at Federally Qualified Health Centers. Academic Pediatrics, 21(2), 312–320. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.acap.2020.11.026

Thompson, K. L., Chung, M., Handu, D., Gutschall, M., Jewell, S. T., Byham-Gray, L., & Parrott, J. S. (2019). The Effectiveness of Nutrition Specialists on Pediatric Weight Management Outcomes in Multicomponent Pediatric Weight Management Interventions: A Systematic Review and Exploratory Meta-Analysis. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 119(5), 799–817. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1016/j.jand.2018.12.008