NURS FPX 6025 Assessment 4 Practicum and Technological Changes

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 6025 MSN Practicum

Prof. Name

Date

Practicum and Technological Changes

Technological advancements continue to reshape the landscape of healthcare, offering new opportunities for improving patient education and chronic disease management. During this capstone project, several emerging technologies such as telehealth platforms, video conferencing tools, wearable devices, and mobile applications were integrated into a PICO(T) intervention focusing on diabetes management education (Doupis et al., 2020). These digital tools provided innovative ways to address the core elements of the PICO(T) framework—specifically the population, interventions, comparison, outcomes, and time.

The mobile application, in particular, played a vital role in empowering patients to engage actively in their care. With features that promote user interaction, it offers a centralized hub for educational resources on blood glucose monitoring, nutritional advice, and physical activity plans (Ávila et al., 2021). In conjunction with remote monitoring devices, patients and healthcare providers were able to track progress and adjust treatment strategies in real-time, leading to personalized care. Telehealth and video conferencing expanded the accessibility of care by enabling remote consultations and follow-up sessions, ensuring continuity despite geographical or mobility limitations (Kim et al., 2024).

The table below illustrates how these technologies align with each component of the PICO(T) model:

PICO(T) Element	Technological Application	Outcome Contribution
Population	Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)	Enhanced accessibility to educational materials
Intervention	Diabetes management app with monitoring capabilities	Improved self-care and glycemic control
Comparison	Traditional in-person education	Real-time data feedback and flexible learning methods
Outcome	Patient engagement, adherence, and health outcomes	Demonstrated improvements in patient satisfaction and A1c levels
Time	Over a defined 3–6-month intervention period	Measurable results in both short- and long-term metrics

This integration supports the American Nurses Association’s commitment to enhancing nursing practices through innovative and patient-centered approaches (ANA, 2023). Embracing such technologies positions nurses to lead change and elevate the quality of care across healthcare systems.

Effects of Technology on the PICO(T) Intervention

The technological enhancements embedded within this practicum directly influenced the effectiveness of the PICO(T) intervention in managing T2DM. Drawing from literature and real-world implementation, the diabetes management app significantly increased patient awareness and autonomy. Through interactive modules, patients gained knowledge in critical areas like nutrition, medication adherence, and lifestyle adjustments, reinforcing their role in self-management (Abrahami et al., 2023).

In parallel, the integration of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices provided granular insight into blood glucose trends, which patients could review within the app. These insights facilitated individualized counseling during virtual consultations, further improving treatment adherence. Moreover, healthcare providers leveraged the app’s dashboard to deliver personalized education and timely interventions (Kim et al., 2024).

The table below outlines key outcomes of integrating technology into patient education:

Technology Used	Impact on Education and Management
Mobile Health App	Delivered structured educational content and enabled real-time interaction
Continuous Glucose Monitors	Offered continuous tracking and supported timely adjustments to care plans
Telehealth and Video Conferencing	Facilitated remote consultations and ensured continuity of care
Data Analytics and Dashboards	Supported population-level trend analysis and individual risk assessments

Furthermore, these technologies contribute to broader healthcare goals, such as improving population health and transitioning toward value-based care models. Data aggregation from user interactions provides valuable information for public health strategies and performance benchmarking (Choi et al., 2020). The insights help identify gaps in care delivery and highlight opportunities for large-scale preventative initiatives. Financially, early intervention and reduced complications lead to cost savings for healthcare systems (Thomas et al., 2021).

Accomplishments and Challenges

During the practicum, the experience of deploying technology in diabetes education resulted in numerous accomplishments and a few significant challenges. One of the key achievements was the successful integration of the diabetes management application into routine patient education, which enabled better engagement and increased self-efficacy among patients. This hands-on experience underscored how digital platforms could serve as pivotal tools in promoting behavioral change and improving chronic disease outcomes (Klonoff et al., 2021).

However, implementing this change within an established clinical setting was not without difficulty. One notable challenge involved resistance from healthcare staff who were hesitant to transition from traditional educational methods to digital formats. Concerns ranged from perceived increases in workload to a lack of technical proficiency. Additionally, some patients faced difficulties navigating digital tools due to limited technological literacy and access to devices (Marzban et al., 2022).

To address these issues, comprehensive staff training sessions and ongoing support mechanisms were established. Interdisciplinary collaboration played a crucial role in easing the transition. These efforts emphasized the value of teamwork and communication in overcoming systemic barriers to technological adoption.

The table below highlights the major accomplishments and challenges faced:

Category	Description
Accomplishment	Enhanced patient engagement through app-based education
Accomplishment	Gained practical experience in implementing digital interventions
Challenge	Staff resistance due to workload concerns and tech unfamiliarity
Challenge	Patient barriers including low digital literacy and device inaccessibility

Conclusion

This practicum experience emphasized how the thoughtful application of healthcare technology can improve diabetes management outcomes. Tools such as mobile applications, CGMs, and telehealth platforms empowered both patients and providers by enabling data-driven decision-making, personalized care plans, and continuous support. At the same time, the experience also revealed that the human element—communication, training, and stakeholder engagement—is essential for successful technology adoption. Overcoming barriers like resistance to change and digital inequities will remain a critical focus as nursing practice continues to evolve within a tech-driven healthcare landscape.

References

Abrahami, D., Hernández-Díaz, S., Munshi, M. N., & Patorno, E. (2023). Continuous glucose monitoring in adults with diabetes in clinical practice: Increased access and education needed. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 38(8), 2011–2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-023-08193-5

NURS FPX 6025 Assessment 4 Practicum and Technological Changes

American Diabetes Association. (2022, December 12). American Diabetes Association releases 2023 standards of care in diabetes to guide prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for people living with diabetes. Diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/newsroom/american-diabetes-association-2023-standards-care-diabetes-guide-for-prevention-diagnosis-treatment-people-living-with-diabetes

American Nurses Association. (2023). Advancing excellence in nursing practice. ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org

Ávila, D. A., Esquivel-Lu, A. I., Salazar-Lozano, C. R., Jones, K., & Doubova, S. V. (2021). The effects of professional continuous glucose monitoring as an adjuvant educational tool for improving glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. BMC Endocrine Disorders, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12902-021-00742-5

Choi, W., Wang, S., Lee, Y., Oh, H., & Zheng, Z. (2020). A systematic review of mobile health technologies to support self-management of concurrent diabetes and hypertension. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 27(6), 939–945. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa029

Doupis, J., Festas, G., Tsilivigos, C., Efthymiou, V., & Kokkinos, A. (2020). Smartphone-based technology in diabetes management. Diabetes Therapy, 11(3), 607–619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-020-00768-3

Kim, J. Y., Jin, S. M., Sim, K. H., Kim, B. Y., Cho, J. H., Moon, J. S., Lim, S., Kang, E. S., Park, C. Y., Kim, S. G., & Kim, J. H. (2024). Continuous glucose monitoring with structured education in adults with type 2 diabetes managed by multiple daily insulin injections: A multicentre randomized controlled trial. Diabetologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-024-06152-1

Klonoff, A. N., Lee, W.-A., Xu, N. Y., Nguyen, K. T., DuBord, A., & Kerr, D. (2021). Six digital health technologies that will transform diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 17(1), 239–249. https://doi.org/10.1177/19322968211043498

Marzban, S., Najafi, M., Agolli, A., & Ashrafi, E. (2022). Impact of patient engagement on healthcare quality: A scoping review. Journal of Patient Experience, 9. https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735221125439

NURS FPX 6025 Assessment 4 Practicum and Technological Changes

Thomas, E. E., Taylor, M. L., Banbury, A., Snoswell, C. L., Haydon, H. M., Gallegos Rejas, V. M., Smith, A. C., & Caffery, L. J. (2021). Factors influencing the effectiveness of remote patient monitoring interventions: A realist review. BMJ Open, 11(8). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051844