Assignment Task 1: Leveraging Technology to Address Hypertension in Geriatric Populations
Introduction:
The geriatric population experiences numerous health concerns with age, including declining physiological function, high medication burden, and a higher incidence of chronic diseases. Of these concerns, hypertension looms large expressing one of the greatest challenges facing aging populations worldwide with a prevalence of more than 60 % in those over 65 years of age. If not properly treated, hypertension has dire consequences including stroke, heart failure, kidney damage, and also cognitive decline all of which make the quality of life in the elderly adversely inadequate (Parambi et al., 2020). The need to enhance the control of hypertension in the geriatric population cannot be overstated because effective control, reduces morbidity, improves independence, and decreases healthcare utilization and cost. The difficulty of managing hypertension in older adults, who frequently have numerous co-morbidities and face challenges in patient medication, is the reason why new strategies are required to improve the delivery and the monitoring of care.
Global Burden of Disease Condition/Risk Factor
Hypertension, defined as long-term high blood pressure levels - usually above 130/80 mmHg according to current guidelines - is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors around the world. In elderly respondents, high blood pressure frequently conditions as isolated systolic hypertension-a 140 mmHg ≥ systolic pressure but a normal diastolic reading (Fuchs & Whelton, 2020). The condition often comes on quietly, hence its moniker as a "silent killer," but in rare cases it may also present with symptoms like morning headaches and blacking out, dizziness, or changes in vision. Making matters more difficult in elderly patients is the occurrence of orthostatic hypotension, a situation in which blood pressure drops greatly upon standing, creating a tricky balancing act with treatment protocols.
Elderly hypertension diagnosis calls for monitoring blood pressure accurately, ideally through more than one reading over time, and using both seated and standing blood pressure measurements to check for orthostatic changes. Abdominal blood pressure results, AMBPM, is extremely useful in this population of clients for detecting white-coat hypertension, masked hypertension, and nighttime hypertension patterns. Treatment of HTLIR should be tailored and, typically, this includes lifestyle yearly interventions which include sodium restriction, appropriate to functional capacity for physical activity and weight management. Pharmacologic treatment commences generally with thiazide diuretics, clean channel blockers, or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, with caution starting low and going up patiently to avoid frequent negative effects common in older adults.
Technology and Healthcare:
Healthcare has evolved significantly with the incorporation of technology, transitioning from reactive, facility-based care delivery models to proactive, patient-centered approaches that go beyond traditional walls of healthcare. With Digital health technologies, care is being transformed by allowing remote monitoring, early interventions, better medication compliance, and more patient involvement. For the elderly population, this shift is a critical chance to overcome traditional barriers to healthcare including transportation barriers, mobility issues, and the necessity of continuous monitoring of chronic conditions.
Technology can indeed make a major difference in health outcomes for the elderly hypertensive population through several channels. Remote patient monitoring enables continuous monitoring of blood pressure readings in the natural setting of the patient, providing a more accurate representation of blood pressure control compared to blood pressure readings taken at a clinic at sporadic intervals (Morales-Botello et al.,2021). Digital medication reminders and smart pill dispensers solve the big problem of medication adherence for a population with multiple prescriptions on the roster, Telehealth services reliably lessen the burden of repeated office visits while keeping consistent and regular touch with therapy providers. Furthermore, digital health platforms can include educational information and lifestyle counseling aimed at the needs of each older individual, enhancing self-management behaviors, that is, behaviors needed to achieve blood pressure control.
Chosen Evidence-Based Technology Use in Disease or Risk Factor
Remote patient monitoring (RPM) platforms are an evidence-based technology that has demonstrated promise in improving hypertension management in geriatric populations. Most modern RPM solutions for hypertension consist of Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure monitors that will automatically send readings to safe platforms that can be accessed by both patients and healthcare providers (Kanakaprabha et al.,2024; Boikanyo et al.,2023). These systems can include more features like medication reminders and symptom tracking, as well as educational material. Studies of RPM for hypertension control are older adults have shown significant improvement in blood pressure control available, with a meta-analysis showing a reduction of an average of 3.5-8.9 mm of Hg greater than usual care.
The advantages of RPM for geriatric hypertension management are numerous. The innovation enables spotting blood pressure fluctuations before they develop into something more, and dealing with it before it develops further. It helps to relieve the number of trips to the clinic, while still keeping a close eye, and especially of great benefit for the older adults who are mobility-impaired or for the rural residents. RPM systems give healthcare organizations complete data on blood pressure patterns and trends so they can diagnose better. Moreover, these systems also usually improve patient engagement and self-management functionalities like goal setting and progress tracking.
However, there are a number of challenges that need to be recognized. Digital literacy levels among older patients can be quite high and quite low, and there may be a technological barrier in some patients. The upfront cost of equipment as well as the cost of ongoing subscription fees to be without insurance coverage can be limiting and may even, contribute to healthcare disparities. When persistent health information is continuously transmitted, patient data privacy and security are in question. There is also the risk of creating technology-induced dependence or anxiety in some patients who may place too much emphasis on their readings. Additionally, the technology needs access to a reliable internet connection, which not be acquired throughout, particularly in rural or economically weak locations.
Conclusion
Hypertension represents a significant global burden of disease in the geriatric population, with far-reaching implications for quality of life, independence, and healthcare utilization.Remote monitoring technologies for remote patient monitoring are a promising approach to improving hypertension management in this high-risk population by offering continuous monitoring, better medication adherence, and earlier interventions. Although challenges related to cost, technology savvy, and implementation persist, the quality of evidence supports RPM as an effective complement to standard care arrangements. Given that healthcare is undergoing continuous growth, the streamlined merger of technologies such as RPM into geriatric care would be an essential approach to meeting the accelerating global burden of hypertension. Ongoing improvements in user-friendly design, affordability, and interoperability with other care systems will increase the potential of these technologies to back improved outcomes among older persons with hypertension worldwide.
Assignment Task 2: Role Development in Family Practice: Clinical Integration
Signature Assignment
Understanding the role technology plays in advanced primary care to vulnerable populations is vital to ensure proper and timely diagnosis and treatment to improve healthcare outcomes for the patient. The purpose of this assignment is to evaluate one global burden of disease OR risk factor in the family population (pediatric, adult, or geriatric) and explore one current evidence-based technology use that can offer improvement of outcomes and access to the population chosen.
This assignment will focus on the following course student learning outcomes (CSLO):
1. Generate knowledge from clinical practice to improve practice and patient outcomes (EOPSLO# 4, 9).
2. Leads practice inquiry, individually or in partnership with others (EOPSLO# 2, 3, 4, 7).
3. Translates research and other forms of knowledge to improve practice processes and outcomes (EOPSLO# 9).
4. Evaluate the relationships among access, cost, quality, and safety and their influence on healthcare (EOPSLO# 3, 6, 9).
5. Collaborates in planning for transitions across the continuum of care (EOPSLO# 2, 7).
6. Integrates ethical principles in decision-making (EOPSLO# 6, 9).
7. Integrates appropriate technologies for knowledge management to improve healthcare (EOPSLO# 5).
8. Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care for the family, as well as the individual, and implement changes (EOPSLO# 8).
Instructions: Please choose one global burden of disease and one population (adult, pediatric, or geriatric). Once the population is chosen, find one evidence-based technology to help support the improvement of outcomes in the global burden of disease chosen. Need Assignment Help?
You are to write a three-to-five-page paper in APA format 7th edition with the following sections and level 2 headings:
Introduction:
Brief overview of the health of the population chosen
- Introduce the global burden of disease OR risk factor chosen
- Importance of improving the condition and its impact on quality of life
Body of the Paper:
- Global Burden of Disease Condition/Risk Factor
- Describe the disease OR risk factor chosen
- What signs/symptoms are identified in the patient that can be found?
- How is it diagnosed and treated?
- Technology and Healthcare:
- Describe the paradigm shift in healthcare related to technology
- Elaborate how technology can improve health outcomes in your population
- Chosen Evidence-Based Technology Use in Disease or Risk Factor
- Describe and summarize the evidence-based technology identified that has been shown to improve the condition or Risk Factor for your patient population chosen.
- Compare and contrast the positives and negatives of using this technology use chosen.
Conclusion:
- Recap points discussed in the paper
- Importance of advancements in technology