Introduction To Treating The Chronically Ill

Introduction While Treating The Chronically Ill

While treating the chronically ill, a major challenge is developing a plan of care that addresses the specific needs of a patient and a caregiver. You need to be in close touch with patients and their support group, family and peers, to come up with an ideal plan. In this course project, you are going to develop a plan of care for a chronic illness group of your choice using the Healthy People 2020 Topics. While executing the tasks of this project, remember that while you need to give a general overview of the biomedical considerations of the case, the focus should always be on the psychosocial elements. Your perspective in this care plan should be the patient's goals rather than those of the medical team.

Each week, you will complete a part of this project. You will submit a final completed project in Week 5. Be sure to take the time to carefully complete each of the weekly assignments and then put it all together in Week 5. Ensure that you save a copy of this course project after you have submitted it at the end of this course. You are expected to resubmit this project along with the other course projects at the end of the Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) details will be provided in the Capstone course. Identifying a Group: Identify an area of chronic illness of specific interest to you and that is represented as a Healthy People 2020 topic (healthypeople.gov). Explain your choice and your interest in it. Prepare a questionnaire utilizing your knowledge of health and illness, with the aim of acquiring all information you need from patients to prepare a plan of care for the specific illness group. Submit your information in a 4- to 5-page Microsoft Word document.

In addition to your questionnaire, be sure to include the following details in your paper: chronic illness of interest, morbidity and comorbidity of the disease, impact of the chronic illness and patient morbidity and the effect on overall health of the nation, Healthy People 2020 goals and objectives for the specific illness group. Support your responses with examples. On a separate references page, cite all sources using APA format. Use this APA Citation Helper as a convenient reference for properly citing resources. This handout will provide you the details of formatting your document using APA style. You may create your essay in this APA-formatted template.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing an effective and personalized care plan for individuals with chronic illnesses presents a complex challenge that requires integrating biomedical considerations with psychosocial needs. Out of numerous health concerns outlined by Healthy People 2020, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a prevalent chronic condition with significant implications for patients and the broader health system. This paper explores the psychosocial elements, morbidity, and national impact of T2DM, aligning these discussions with Healthy People 2020’s objectives aimed at reducing disease burden and enhancing quality of life.

Identification of the Disease Group and Interest

Type 2 diabetes mellitus was chosen due to its increasing prevalence worldwide, especially in the United States. The surge in cases correlates with rising obesity rates, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary patterns. Personally, my interest grew from witnessing relatives manage the disease and understanding the complex psychosocial challenges they face, such as stigma, depression, and barriers to effective self-care. These experiences motivated me to compose a comprehensive care plan emphasizing psychosocial support and patient-centered goals.

Questionnaire Design for Patients

To develop an individual care plan, a detailed questionnaire is necessary. Key topics include demographic data, medical history, current medication adherence, dietary and physical activity habits, mental health status, social support systems, health literacy, access to healthcare, and barriers to care. Sample questions encompass: "How do you manage your daily diet and exercise routines?" "Do you experience feelings of depression or anxiety related to your condition?" "What challenges do you face in accessing healthcare or medications?" Collecting this information enables tailoring interventions to improve disease management and quality of life.

Morbidity and Comorbidity of T2DM

Type 2 diabetes is associated with significant morbidity, including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, retinopathy, and increased risk of infections. Comorbid conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity often coexist, exacerbating health risks and complicating management. Studies indicate that nearly 70% of adults with T2DM have hypertension, which amplifies the risk of cardiovascular events (American Diabetes Association, 2022). The presence of multiple chronic conditions underscores the importance of holistic care strategies targeting multiple health aspects simultaneously.

Impact on National Health and Patient Morbidity

The chronic nature of T2DM results in substantial burden on the healthcare system, including frequent hospitalizations, long-term treatment costs, and productivity losses. The CDC reports that direct and indirect costs related to diabetes exceeded $327 billion annually in the US (American Diabetes Association, 2022). Patients often experience psychological distress, including depression, which negatively impacts disease management and outcomes (Katon, 2011). Social isolation, financial strain, and limited health knowledge further hinder effective self-care, emphasizing the need for integrated psychosocial support.

Healthy People 2020 Goals and Objectives

Healthy People 2020 targeted reducing the number of new cases of diagnosed diabetes and lowering complications associated with the disease. Specific objectives include increasing awareness and screening, improving self-management education, and reducing health disparities among vulnerable populations (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2020). Effectively addressing the psychosocial aspects of T2DM aligns with these goals by promoting mental health, enhancing social support, and improving access to culturally sensitive health education. Strategies such as community-based interventions, peer support groups, and telehealth services have demonstrated success in this regard (Peek et al., 2014).

Conclusion

In conclusion, designing a patient-centered plan of care for chronic illnesses like T2DM requires a multidimensional approach that prioritizes psychosocial well-being alongside biomedical management. Recognizing the substantial morbidity, national economic burden, and the goals set by Healthy People 2020 underscores the importance of holistic, culturally competent, and accessible health interventions. Tailoring care plans to individual needs, fostering social support, and addressing mental health challenges are essential for improving patient outcomes and aligning with national health objectives.

References

  • American Diabetes Association. (2022). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2022. Diabetes Care, 45(Suppl 1), S1–S264.
  • Katon, W. (2011). Epidemiology and treatment of depression in patients with chronic medical illness. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 13(1), 7-23.
  • Peek, M. E., Cargill, A., & Huang, E. S. (2014). Diabetes health disparities. Medical Clinics of North America, 98(1), 65-78.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Healthy People 2020. https://www.healthypeople.gov
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2020. CDC.
  • Huang, T. T. K., & Sasaki, S. (2010). Lifestyle interventions to prevent weight gain in adults. Obesity Reviews, 11(12), 883-887.
  • Sarkar, U., Fisher, L., & Schillinger, D. (2010). Is self-efficacy associated with diabetes self-management and glycemic control? Diabetes Care, 33(4), 751-753.
  • Anderson, R. M., & Funnell, M. M. (2010). Patient empowerment: Myths and misconceptions. Patient Education and Counseling, 79(3), 277-282.
  • Holt, R. I. G., et al. (2017). Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes in adults: NICE guideline. BMJ, 356, i6102.
  • Chesney, M. A., et al. (2006). Self-efficacy and health outcomes in patients with diabetes. Diabetes Education, 32(1), 6-17.

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