The DNP-Prepared Nurse and Their Community
The community is faced with various health challenges, compromising the health status, quality of life, and overall well-being of the members. The most significant need facing the community is the prevention and management of diabetes mellitus (DM) among the elderly population. This health issue is important since diabetes mellitus is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. According to Lin et al. (2020), diabetes mellitus is the most significant cause of death nationally, regionally, and internationally. Thus, resolving this problem would reduce the high number of deaths associated with diabetes mellitus. The high rate of diabetes in the community can be resolved by scheduling a diabetes education program in the community health clinic, targeting elderly outpatients. A DNP-prepared nurse, will lead other interdisciplinary members in educating elderly outpatients about lifestyle modifications effective in preventing, controlling, or reversing diabetes mellitus (Uusitupa et al., 2019). Thus, the diabetes mellitus rate will reduce in the community following the implementation of lifestyle changes, including eating a balanced/ healthy diet and increasing physical activities since the rate of DM is disproportionately high among the elderly than other community members. The second intervention involves advocating for the implementation of the diabetes screening program in program. Making diabetes screening an organizational policy will result in the early identification of community members at a high risk of developing DM. Individuals at high risk will then be educated about lifestyle modifications, preventing them from becoming diabetic.
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The second significant need in the community involves the prevention of transmission of communicable diseases. Infectious diseases have become highly prevalent among community members. This health issue is important since it compromises individuals’ health status, quality of life, and overall well-being. Practice changes can be implemented to address this health concern. A DNP-prepared nurse, will advocate for vaccine and immunization legislation in the community clinic. According to Pollard and Bijker (2021) vaccines boost one’s immunity, protecting the body against infectious diseases. Therefore, vaccinating and immunizing community members against various viral diseases such as flu and COVID-19 will reduce the risk of contradicting these infections in the event of an outbreak. Additionally, a DNP-prepared nurse, will lead interdisciplinary team members in screening community members in the event of an outbreak. Infected individuals will be isolated from other community members, reducing the transmission rate.
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References
Lin, X., Xu, Y., Pan, X., Xu, J., Ding, Y., Sun, X., … & Shan, P. F. (2020). Global, regional, and national burden and trend of diabetes in 195 countries and territories: an analysis from 1990 to 2025. Scientific reports, 10(1), 1-11. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-71908-9
Pollard, A. J., & Bijker, E. M. (2021). A guide to vaccinology: from basic principles to new developments. Nature Reviews Immunology, 21(2), 83-100. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-020-00479-7
Uusitupa, M., Khan, T. A., Viguiliouk, E., Kahleova, H., Rivellese, A. A., Hermansen, K., … & Sievenpiper, J. L. (2019). Prevention of type 2 diabetes by lifestyle changes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 11(11), 2611. Doi: 10.3390/nu11112611