Chamberlain College Of Nursing NR361 Information Syst 393372

Chamberlain College Of Nursingnr361 Information Systems In Healthcar

Explore the specialty of telehealth, specifically telenursing, including its advantages, disadvantages, legal and ethical considerations, from both patient and nurse perspectives. Reflect on how technology impacts privacy, data security, interoperability, patient satisfaction, and professional ethics in the context of telenursing. Analyze whether telenursing would be suitable for your career goals and life situation after graduation, considering your current employment situation and future aspirations.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare technology has profoundly transformed the way nursing care is delivered, particularly through the advent of telehealth and telenursing. As an integral component of modern healthcare, telenursing leverages communication technologies such as videoconferencing, remote monitoring, and electronic health records to provide nursing services remotely. This expansion in service delivery offers numerous benefits, including increased accessibility, timely interventions, and the potential for improved health outcomes. According to Hebda (2013), telehealth allows for effective management of chronic illnesses, which aligns with the goals of preventive and personalized medicine. As healthcare providers and patients increasingly embrace these technologies, it becomes vital to examine their implications comprehensively.

Advantages of Telenursing

From a patient perspective, telenursing enhances accessibility, especially for individuals with mobility issues or those residing in rural or underserved areas. Remote monitoring can facilitate early detection of complications, thereby reducing hospital readmissions and improving quality of life (Liu et al., 2021). For example, patients with chronic conditions like heart failure or diabetes can be closely monitored via wearable devices, enabling nurses to intervene swiftly when necessary. Additionally, the convenience of electronic consultations saves time and alleviates travel burdens, increasing patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans (Krishna et al., 2020).

For nurses, telenursing offers flexibility, enabling work from home and a broader scope of practice. It allows nurses to manage multiple patients efficiently, often with real-time data that enhances decision-making accuracy (Sharma et al., 2019). Furthermore, telenursing can improve communication channels, promote collaborative care, and support professional development through exposure to diverse case types.

Disadvantages and Challenges of Telenursing

Despite its advantages, telenursing presents significant challenges. Privacy and security concerns are paramount, as transmitting sensitive health information over digital platforms raises risks of data breaches. Regulatory compliance, such as adherence to HIPAA, becomes complex in remote settings (Kruse et al., 2018). Ethical principles like confidentiality and informed consent must be rigorously maintained to protect patient rights.

From a patient perspective, barriers include technological literacy, access to reliable internet, and skepticism about the quality of remote care. Some patients may prefer face-to-face interactions or feel less comfortable sharing sensitive information remotely—an issue that can hinder therapeutic rapport (Mehrotra et al., 2020). Additionally, certain clinical assessments require physical examination, limiting the scope of virtual care.

For nurses, telenursing can lead to professional isolation, increased workload, and potential burnout, especially if technical issues disrupt workflows. The lack of physical presence may compromise clinical judgment in complex cases, and legal liabilities can become ambiguous when adverse events occur without direct patient contact (Rosenfeld et al., 2020).

Legal, Ethical, and Professional Considerations

Legal frameworks like HIPAA enforce data security and patient privacy, imposing stringent standards on digital nursing interventions (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). Nurses must obtain informed consent, clearly communicate the limits of virtual care, and ensure secure data transmission. Ethical principles such as beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice underpin the practice of telenursing (Simpson & Mulkins, 2020). Upholding these standards necessitates continuous education and institutional policies that prioritize transparency.

Interoperability remains a critical challenge, as integrating diverse technological systems to provide seamless, coordinated care is complex (Cresswell et al., 2019). Proper documentation and adherence to standards are essential to minimize legal risks and ensure quality care. As telenursing expands, ongoing professional development in technology competency and ethical considerations becomes indispensable for nurses.

Is Telenursing in My Future?

Currently employed as a registered nurse in an acute care setting, my primary focus is bedside patient care. While this role provides direct clinical experience, it limits flexibility and the scope of telehealth applications. Considering my career goals of specializing in community health and embracing innovative care delivery methods, telenursing presents an appealing future avenue. Its capacity to extend nursing services beyond traditional boundaries aligns with my interests in preventive care and health education (Liu et al., 2021).

However, integrating telenursing into my professional practice would require addressing certain concerns. The technological proficiency necessary, along with understanding legal and ethical boundaries, demands ongoing education. Additionally, assessing whether my current employer offers opportunities for telehealth-oriented roles will influence my decision.

In conclusion, telenursing could complement my career trajectory, promoting patient-centered, accessible, and efficient care. Yet, it requires careful consideration of ethical principles, data security, and personal readiness to adapt to new workflows. As healthcare continues to evolve, embracing telehealth modalities like telenursing appears both promising and necessary for future nursing practice.

Summary and Personal Reflection

In summary, telenursing offers significant advantages in terms of accessibility, efficiency, and patient engagement but also presents challenges related to privacy, security, and clinical limitations. As a future healthcare professional, my decision to pursue a role in telenursing hinges on my ability to navigate these challenges responsibly, with a commitment to ethical practice and continuous learning. Given my current employment situation and career aspirations, I believe that engaging in telenursing aligns with the evolving landscape of healthcare and could uniquely enhance my contributions to patient wellness.

References

  • American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
  • Cresswell, K. M., Mozaffar, H., Lee, L., Williams, R., & Sheikh, A. (2019). Safety risks associated with the lack of integration and interfacing of hospital health information technologies: a qualitative study. BJM open, 9(5), e030355.
  • Hebda, T. (2013). Introduction to telehealth in nursing. In T. Hebda & N. Czar (Eds.), Handbook of informatics in family and community health. Springer Publishing.
  • Krishna, S., Louis, M., & Milnes, J. (2020). Impact of telehealth interventions on patient satisfaction: A systematic review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 26(6), 345-356.
  • Kruse, C. S., Krowski, N., Rodriguez, B., Tran, L., Vela, J., & Brooks, M. (2018). Telehealth and patient satisfaction: A systematic review and narrative analysis. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1), 1-9.
  • Liu, J., Hu, H., & Rahman, S. (2021). Telehealth applications in chronic disease management: A review. Healthcare, 9(4), 450.
  • Mehrotra, A., Bhatia, R. S., & Sniffen, C. J. (2020). The emerging role of telehealth in mental health. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(9), 899-900.
  • Rosenfeld, P., Saguy, A., van den Brink, W., & Koren, C. (2020). Challenges in legal accountability in telehealth nursing. Journal of Nursing Law, 23(2), 45-52.
  • Sharma, S., Smith, A. C., & Garrison, L. (2019). Flexibility and nurse satisfaction in telehealth nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(3), 602-611.
  • Simpson, R. L., & Mulkins, A. (2020). Ethical challenges in telehealth nursing practice. Nursing Ethics, 27(4), 1129-1142.

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