HCM 340 Final Project

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School

Southern New Hampshire University *

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HCM 430

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Health Science

Date

Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by JudgeScorpion4228

HCM 340 Final Project Kristine Hoag HCM 340 Healthcare Delivery Systems Vickie Smith 12/10/2023

Introduction [Healthcare gaps in care coordination for patients with chronic illnesses have become a prominent concern within the healthcare system. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, require ongoing management and treatment that often involves multiple healthcare providers across different specialties. However, the lack of effective communication and collaboration among these providers has resulted in fragmented care delivery, leading to adverse health outcomes for patients. Not only this but there is also a lack of communication with the patient, which leads them to be confused and frustrated with their diagnosis and treatment (Becker & Newsom, 2003). Healthcare gaps have been an ongoing problem, especially in the United States, and if these are not addressed, then patient's quality of life will continue to decline. As healthcare professionals, we also must keep in mind the gap in healthcare based on socioeconomics is evident as individuals from lower-income backgrounds often struggle to access and afford essential medical services (Riley, 2012). In order to address this pressing issue, it is crucial to understand the factors contributing to healthcare gaps and develop effective strategies for closing them, ensuring equal access to quality healthcare for all individuals. There is a significant gap in care coordination between healthcare providers and patients with chronic illnesses. Despite advancements in medical technology, many individuals living with chronic conditions face challenges in obtaining comprehensive and seamless care. One of the primary reasons for this disconnect is the lack of effective communication and information sharing between providers and patients (McDonald & Sundaram, 2007). Often, patients struggle to effectively communicate their needs and concerns, leading to fragmented care and unnecessary complications. And because these patients must see multiple specialists, vital

information such as medical history, test results, and treatment plans often gets lost or miscommunicated during transitions between different providers, resulting in unnecessary delays, duplication of services, and suboptimal outcomes for patients. Consequently, this gap in care coordination hampers the overall management of chronic illnesses, resulting in increased healthcare costs, reduced quality of life, and potential adverse health outcomes for patients. Addressing this issue requires improved collaboration between providers and patients through enhanced communication channels, personalized care plans, and better utilization of digital tools to facilitate seamless information exchange (Telesford et al., 2023). The history of the gap in care coordination for patients with chronic illnesses can be traced back several decades to the early days of modern healthcare systems. In the past, medical care was primarily focused on acute conditions and episodic care, rather than long-term management of chronic diseases (Audet, 2012). However, as chronic illnesses became more prevalent, it became evident that this approach was insufficient in managing long-term conditions effectively. This lack of coordination led to fragmented and disjointed care for patients with chronic illnesses, who often require ongoing monitoring, treatment adjustments, and multidisciplinary support. These challenges highlighted the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to address the complex needs of patients with chronic illnesses and improve their overall quality of life. Efforts have been made to bridge this gap through initiatives such as electronic health records, telemedicine, interdisciplinary care teams, and patient-centered medical homes. While progress has been made, challenges still exist in ensuring seamless communication, information sharing, and collaboration among healthcare providers involved in a patient's chronic disease management (Mollica & Gillespie, 2003). Working to close this gap will ensure better coordination and continuity of care for these vulnerable patient populations.

Socioeconomics plays a significant role in the gap of care coordination for patients with chronic illnesses. The socioeconomic status of an individual can greatly impact their ability to access and afford necessary healthcare services. Patients from low-income backgrounds often face barriers such as lack of health insurance, limited transportation options, and inadequate access to healthcare facilities (Arpey et al., 2017). These challenges hinder their ability to receive consistent and comprehensive care, resulting in gaps in care coordination. Additionally, individuals with lower socioeconomic status may experience difficulties in understanding and managing their chronic illness due to limited education and resources. This further exacerbates the gap in care coordination as they struggle to navigate through complex healthcare systems (Becker & Newsom, 2003). Addressing these socioeconomic disparities is crucial for bridging the gap in care coordination and ensuring that all patients, regardless of their economic background, receive optimal management for their chronic illnesses. Patients with chronic illnesses are particularly affected by the gap in care coordination. These individuals often require ongoing and specialized medical attention, involving multiple healthcare providers and treatments. However, due to a lack of effective communication and coordination between different providers, patients may experience fragmented care that can lead to delayed or inappropriate interventions. This not only affects their physical well-being but also their emotional and mental health as they navigate through a complex healthcare system alone (Riley, 2012). The gap in care coordination results in increased healthcare costs, unnecessary hospitalizations, and poorer patient outcomes for these vulnerable individuals. Healthcare systems must prioritize improving care coordination to ensure comprehensive and seamless support for patients with chronic illnesses.

If the gap in care coordination is not closed, it can have significant implications for patients and healthcare systems alike. Firstly, patients may experience fragmented and disjointed care, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. This lack of coordination can result in increased healthcare costs as patients may undergo unnecessary tests or procedures due to a lack of communication between different providers (Heath, 2021). Moreover, without proper coordination, there is a higher risk of medication errors, adverse events, and avoidable hospital readmissions. From a system-wide perspective, the absence of care coordination leads to inefficiencies and redundancies in service delivery (Purnell et al., 2016). It also puts strain on healthcare resources as providers struggle to keep track of patient information and ensure continuity of care (Carter, 2023). Ultimately, closing this gap is crucial for improving patient outcomes and quality of life, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing overall healthcare quality. Initiative Interoperability initiatives are crucial in improving the care of patients with chronic illnesses. By ensuring that different healthcare systems and electronic health records can seamlessly communicate and share information, these initiatives enhance coordination and continuity of care for individuals managing chronic conditions. For instance, when physicians have access to comprehensive patient data across various healthcare settings, they can make more informed decisions about treatment plans, medications, and interventions (Audet, 2012). This reduces duplication of tests or procedures, minimizes medical errors, and ultimately enhances the overall quality of care provided to patients with chronic illnesses. Moreover, interoperability enables patients themselves to actively participate in their own care by easily accessing their medical information and sharing it with multiple providers (Arpey et al., 2017).

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