Diabetes condition
Introduction
Purpose Statement
This exercise aims to examine the implications of a practice problem. The examination will focus on the impact of both the local and national perspectives. Additionally, an evaluation of the role of a DNP scholar as concerns the practice problem will occur.
Practice Problem Identification
Diabetes is the selected practice issue for this exercise. The disease refers to a condition in which the amount of blood sugar is higher than the average. It has become a phenomenal problem for public health authorities in the U.S because of its high prevalence. According to the American Diabetes Association [ADA] (2020), as of 2018, 34.2 million Americans were suffering from the ailment, representing 10.5% of the population. This rate is much higher for persons above the age of 65, whose prevalence rate is 26.8%. Moreover, 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes annually. A far greater number of Americans suffer from prediabetes. In this condition, one has a high level of blood sugar, but it is yet to reach the threshold of a diabetes diagnosis. In the country, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of mortality (Li et al., 2019). The authors also note that projections indicate that as of 2030, the number of diabetes cases will have more than doubled from the present statistics. Such outcomes imply that the disease is likely to place a significant strain on the healthcare system and society. Consequently, it is a relevant practice problem.
Role of the DNP Practice Scholar in Influencing the Practice Problem
A DNP practice scholar is an integral stakeholder in the process of addressing the practice problem. One of their core roles entails healthcare advocacy. A DNP practicing scholar should advocate for the needs of diabetes patients to other providers and policymakers. The advocacy may cover various areas, including the need to raise funding for research into diabetes interventions. It may also include the need to continually improve the existing guidelines on the management of the disease.
Another important role of the DNP practice scholar is knowledge creation. This task entails numerous aspects like collecting epidemiological data on the disease and conducting research to evaluate the efficacy of proposed interventions — both processes should be based on scientific theories. The scholar should also incorporate information technology systems that enhance the patient-centered approach to healthcare. For instance, this task may include collaborating with software developers to create an application for self-management among diabetes patients.
Implications of the Practice Problem at the National Level
- Significance
The disease is significant at the national level for numerous reasons. First, national health authorities are forced to redirect public expenditure from other critical areas to diabetes management. Consequently, the management of the disease serves as an opportunity cost to other areas of development. Further, addressing the root cause of the disease is crucial to improving the population’s overall health. This assertion arises because, according to Abdulghani et al. (2016), diabetes tends to co-occur with numerous other diseases. They include hypertension, heart diseases, and foot complications. It also predisposes the affected patient to other diseases. Therefore, it would also be possible to reduce the incidence of numerous other illnesses by adopting an effective national approach to interventions for the disease.
- Relevance
Examining concerted efforts in resolving the situation from a national perspective is pertinent. National policies, guidelines, and regulations provide a guiding vision to all the stakeholders. Subsequently, the collective approach is likely to increase the synergies required in dealing with the disease.
- Economic ramifications
The disease exerts a considerable economic toll. According to the American Diabetes Association [ADA] (2018), in 2017, the total estimated cost of the disease was $327 billion. Out of this amount, $237 billion and $90 billion accounts for direct expenses of care and low productivity, respectively. The reduced productivity occurs because of reasons like deaths resulting from the disease, high levels of absenteeism, and lower productiveness for those at work.
Impact of the Practice Problem at the National Level on Key Stakeholders
The disease impacts the various national stakeholders differently. Patients and their families suffer from the economic strain that the condition places on them. According to the ADA (2018), the average annual cost of managing the disease is $16,750. The amount is high, and it represents a diversion of resources from other areas of development for the family. Further, individuals without health insurance coverage are likely to suffer the most. The disease has meant that nurses and other interprofessional team members have had to adopt an expanded role. Essentially, they not only act as medical care providers but also educators. This aspect arises because of the efficacy of interventions that center on self-care and management. Consequently, it calls for an overhaul of the training regimes for these professionals.
Healthcare Organizations (HCOs) have also been forced to expand their healthcare infrastructure and resources. This situation arises because of the rise in the prevalence of the disease. Additionally, its tendency to predispose the patient to other illnesses means that HCOs have to invest in additional resources to guarantee a wholesome approach to healthcare.
Implications of the Practice Problem at the Local Level
- Significance
Diabetes places an undue strain on the public health infrastructure of the state. Additionally, the management of the disease is costly to both the state and the affected families. Moreover, the Texas Demographics Center (2018) asserts that the state suffers a disproportionately high burden of the disease compared to the rest of the country. As an illustration, the agency notes that in 2015, 9.4% of Americans suffered from the illness, while 11.2% of the residents of Texans suffered from it.
- Relevance
Given the relatively higher prevalence of the disease than the national average, it is necessary to ensure that urgent measures are taken to address the situation. Accordingly, an extensive evaluation of the practice problem forms the basis for such interventions, as is the case in this course.
- Economic ramifications
The disease has high associated costs. According to ADA (2020), Texas, alongside California, bear the greatest burden of the disease in the country. In 2017, the disease cost the state $25.60 billion. The cost represents the direct expenses of medication and lost productivity.
Impact of the Practice Problem at the Local Level on Key Stakeholders
Diabetes has influenced the various stakeholders at the local level. Given the social and economic toll the disease takes on individuals, patients, and their families in the state have begun organizing themselves in local support groups. The groups act as a point of exchanging information and obtaining emotional support. Nurses and interprofessional teams have faced an increase in workloads, a factor that may have adverse effects on their productivity in the long run. Additionally, local healthcare organizations have had to increase their resources to cater to the demand for healthcare services created by the disease’s growing prevalence.
Conclusion
At the national level, diabetes has led to the stakeholders having to rethink their approaches as concerns the illness. The outcome of this situation is the development of more coherent guidelines on the disease. Similarly, at the local level, the ailment has led to enhanced collaboration among the stakeholders. However, given its high prevalence when compared to the national average, it is exerting pressure on the available human resources because of increased workloads.
References
Abdulghani, H. M., AlRajeh, A. S., AlSalman, B. H., AlTurki, L. S., AlNajashi, N. S., Irshad, M., Alharbi, K. H., AlBalawi, Y. E., AlSuliman, Y. A., & Ahmad, T. (2018). Prevalence of diabetic comorbidities and knowledge and practices of foot care among diabetic patients: a cross-sectional study. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, Volume 11, 417–425.
American Diabetes Association. (2020). Statistics about diabetes. https://www.diabetes.org/resources/statistics/statistics-about-diabetes
American Diabetes Association. (2018). Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017. Diabetes Care, 41(5), 917–928. https://doi.org/10.2337/dci18-0007
Li, S., Wang, J., Zhang, B., Li, X., & Liu, Y. (2019). Diabetes Mellitus and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Population-Based Study. Diabetes & Metabolism Journal, 43(3), 319. https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2018.0060
Texas Demographics Center (2018). Diabetes in Texas. https://demographics.texas.gov/Resources/publications/2018/2018_12_17_DiabetesProfile.pdf