Write an informal presentation (500-700 words) to educate nurses about how the practice of nursing is expected to grow and change. Include the concepts of continuity or continuum of care, accountable care organizations (ACO), medical homes, and nurse-managed health clinics.

The changing practice of patient care and nursing models

The U.S. Health Care Delivery System is currently undergoing significant restructuring. This is likely to have a major impact on nursing. To this end, I want to briefly share my research about how nursing will grow and evolve in the future.

It is important to note that the continuum or continuity of care concept has been growing in importance for health care. The idea is to ensure that the patient receives care seamlessly and in an organized manner regardless of their location. If a patient leaves the hospital and is sent home, the primary physician should provide follow-up treatment.

ACOs are a key way that health care providers work together to provide high-quality, coordinated care. ACOs consist of groups of healthcare providers who work together in order to deliver coordinated and high-quality health care for their patients. ACOs work together to achieve better patient outcomes while reducing health care costs.

Medical homes are another important innovation in the delivery of health care. Primary care practices are medical homes. They are intended to offer comprehensive patient-centered healthcare. The services they provide include preventive health care, chronic illness management, behavioral healthcare, and other services. It is the goal of medical home to make sure that patients get what they need when they need to, in an efficient and coordinated manner.

Nurse-managed healthcare clinics have become more and more popular in the U.S. The clinics, which are run by nurse practitioners, provide primary health care to communities that have been underserved. The clinics offer an affordable, accessible and cost-effective alternative to conventional health care delivery methods and they are helping address the access disparities to care which exist in the U.S.

After sharing some of my findings with you, I’d like to know your thoughts on the changes that are expected to occur in the health care system and how nurses will play a new role within hospitals, medical homes, and communities. Let’s start a discussion and share our thoughts and experiences on this topic.

The Feedback of Nurse Colleagues

The following comments were received after I shared my presentation among three nursing colleagues:

Nurse 1 : As nurses, I believe that continuity of care will play a very significant role in our work. It is often our responsibility to ensure that patients get the right care. The idea of a seamless and coordinated system of care appeals to me.

Nurse 2: This idea of nurse-managed clinics has me very intrigued. I believe that nurses can play a greater role in the provision of healthcare and address disparities.

The development of medical home is very promising, too. I believe that primary care providers should be trusted and known by patients, who are able to manage the patient’s health needs.

Commentary on Feedback

In general, the comments from my nursing colleagues are consistent with what I’ve learned about reforming health care. All seem to understand the value of continuity of health care as well as nurse-managed clinics or medical homes in terms of improving access to healthcare and patient outcomes.