NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 1 Proposing Evidence-Based Change
Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX 6218 Leading the Future of Health Care
Prof. Name
Date
Change Proposal Summary Report
This report presents a proposed intervention aimed at integrating technology-enabled solutions into the management of chronic diseases, with a specific focus on diabetes mellitus in rural healthcare settings in West Texas. The central aim is to strengthen diabetes care delivery through the adoption of evidence-based digital health tools and modern clinical practices. The proposal further draws on international healthcare systems to identify how digital transformation has improved patient outcomes elsewhere. It also evaluates clinical effectiveness and economic feasibility while outlining practical approaches to improving diabetes care in underserved rural populations.
Executive Summary
Proposed Change
What is the proposed change in diabetes care for rural West Texas?
The proposed change focuses on embedding digital health technologies into diabetes management frameworks in rural West Texas to overcome limitations of conventional care delivery. At present, patients often encounter delayed clinical visits, limited access to diagnostic services, and inconsistent follow-up, all of which contribute to suboptimal disease control (Sun et al., 2021).
To address these gaps, the initiative recommends implementing interoperable electronic health record (EHR) systems to improve continuity of care and enable efficient clinical data sharing. This would support coordinated decision-making and more individualized treatment planning across providers (Mumtaz et al., 2023).
NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 1 Proposing Evidence-Based Change
In addition, mobile health (mHealth) applications are proposed to support continuous glucose monitoring, patient education, and enhanced communication between patients and healthcare providers. These tools aim to reduce geographic barriers, improve adherence to treatment, and strengthen patient self-management behaviors (Gerber et al., 2023).
Desired Outcomes
What outcomes are expected from implementing technology-assisted diabetes care?
The integration of digital health interventions is expected to yield multiple clinical and operational benefits, although certain implementation challenges may persist.
Improved Health Outcomes
Enhanced monitoring systems and timely clinical responses are expected to improve glycemic control and reduce complications. However, limited infrastructure and varying levels of digital literacy may affect adoption and outcomes (Gerber et al., 2023).
Increased Patient Engagement
Digital platforms can promote active patient participation by enabling self-monitoring and improving access to health information. Nonetheless, barriers such as technology resistance and limited device or internet access may restrict engagement for some populations (Gerber et al., 2023).
NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 1 Proposing Evidence-Based Change
Reduced Healthcare Costs
Better disease control can reduce hospital admissions and long-term complications, thereby lowering overall healthcare expenditure. However, financial limitations and insurance disparities may restrict full cost savings (Haque et al., 2021).
Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity
Digital integration can streamline communication, improve workflow efficiency, and optimize healthcare resource use. Despite this, initial investment requirements and staff training needs may pose short-term challenges (Khalifa & Albadawy, 2024).
How can these initiatives be funded?
Potential funding mechanisms include government healthcare programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, federal or state-level grants, and internal investment strategies by healthcare organizations. These funding sources can facilitate the adoption of digital infrastructure while supporting long-term cost efficiency and improved patient outcomes.
Health Care System Comparative Analysis
How do international healthcare systems inform this proposal?
International comparisons, particularly with Sweden and the United Kingdom, demonstrate the effectiveness of digital health integration in improving chronic disease management.
Sweden has successfully adopted eHealth infrastructure, including EHR systems and telemedicine services, which have strengthened preventive care and improved patient outcomes. Collaboration between healthcare providers and technology developers has further enhanced system performance and efficiency (International Trade Association, 2023).
Similarly, the United Kingdom’s NHS Digital Diabetes Prevention initiatives utilize digital tools to support early diagnosis, improve data management, and ensure timely interventions for at-risk populations (Barron et al., 2022).
In contrast, rural healthcare systems in West Texas continue to rely heavily on traditional, fragmented care models. This contributes to delayed treatment, reduced patient engagement, and inefficient care coordination.
Rationale for the Proposed Change
Why is technology integration essential for diabetes management?
There is strong evidence supporting the integration of digital health technologies in chronic disease management, particularly for improving clinical outcomes and patient engagement. These technologies empower patients to take a more active role in managing their condition while enabling providers to deliver timely and individualized care (Gerber et al., 2023).
EHR systems and mHealth applications enhance data accuracy, enable continuous monitoring, and support faster clinical decision-making. They also allow providers to track disease progression and adjust treatment plans more effectively (Mumtaz et al., 2023).
Overall, digital transformation in diabetes care improves quality, safety, and equity in healthcare delivery by reducing access disparities.
Financial and Health Implications
What are the financial and health impacts of implementing this change?
Implementing digital healthcare systems requires substantial upfront investment in infrastructure, software development, and workforce training (Wai et al., 2023). Healthcare organizations must also allocate resources for staff capacity building to ensure effective system utilization.
Despite these initial costs, long-term financial benefits are expected. Improved disease management reduces complications, emergency admissions, and long-term treatment costs (Haque et al., 2021).
From a clinical perspective, technology-enabled care improves access to services, enhances glycemic control, and reduces diabetes-related complications. These improvements contribute to better patient quality of life and greater healthcare system sustainability (Barron et al., 2022).
Table 1: Health Care System Comparative Analysis
| Outcomes | Sweden Healthcare System | United Kingdom Healthcare System | Rural Healthcare System in West Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Outcomes | Digital health technologies and preventive strategies enhance overall patient outcomes and care quality (International Trade Association, 2023). | Early diagnosis and structured interventions improve clinical outcomes and reduce complications (Barron et al., 2022). | Limited digital adoption contributes to delayed care, poor glycemic control, and diagnostic gaps. |
| Patient Engagement | Telehealth services and tailored education programs improve patient participation and adherence. | Digital platforms enhance communication and encourage patient involvement in care decisions. | Low access to digital tools limits engagement and self-management capacity. |
| Cost Effectiveness | EHR and telemedicine reduce administrative costs and prevent complications. | Efficient digital systems reduce costs through timely interventions and streamlined care. | Poor disease control increases costs due to complications and hospital admissions (Haque et al., 2021). |
| Efficiency and Productivity | Integrated systems improve coordination and optimize resource use. | Standardized digital workflows support effective decision-making and care coordination. | Fragmented systems reduce efficiency and increase workload inefficiencies. |
References
Barron, E., Bradley, D., Safazadeh, S., McGough, B., Bakhai, C., Young, B., Khunti, K., Murray, E., Wareham, N., Jebb, S., & Valabhji, J. (2022). Effectiveness of digital and remote provision of the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. Diabetic Medicine, 40(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.15028
Gerber, B. S., Biggers, A., Tilton, J. J., Smith, D. E., Lane, R., Mihăilescu, D., Lee, J.-A., & Sharp, L. K. (2023). Mobile health intervention in patients with type 2 diabetes. JAMA Network Open, 6(9), e2333629. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.33629
NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 1 Proposing Evidence-Based Change
Haque, W. Z., Demidowich, A. P., Sidhaye, A., Golden, S. H., & Zilbermint, M. (2021). The financial impact of an inpatient diabetes management service. Current Diabetes Reports, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-020-01374-0
International Trade Association. (2023, December 18). Sweden—eHealth. https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/sweden-ehealth
Khalifa, M., & Albadawy, M. (2024). Artificial intelligence for diabetes: Enhancing prevention, diagnosis, and effective management. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Update, 5, 100141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmpbup.2024.100141
NURS FPX 6218 Assessment 1 Proposing Evidence-Based Change
Mumtaz, H., Riaz, M. H., Wajid, H., Saqib, M., Zeeshan, M. H., Khan, S. E., Chauhan, Y. R., Sohail, H., & Vohra, L. I. (2023). Current challenges and potential solutions to the use of digital health technologies in evidence generation: A narrative review. Frontiers in Digital Health, 5, 1203945. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1203945
Sun, C.-A., Taylor, K., Levin, S., Renda, S. M., & Han, H.-R. (2021). Factors associated with missed appointments by adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review. BMJ Open Diabetes Research and Care, 9(1), e001819. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001819
Wai, A., Torkamani, A., Butte, A. J., Glicksberg, B. S., Schuller, B. W., Rodríguez, B., Shu, D., Bates, D. W., Schaden, E., Peng, H., et al. (2023). The promise of digital healthcare technologies. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1196596