Collaboration in Healthcare Delivery Systems Settings Essay Sample

Paper Instructions:

Academic level – Undergrad. 1-2
Type of paper – Critical thinking
Topic Title – Collaboration in Healthcare for Improved Patient Outcomes
Instructions:

Collaboration to Improve Outcomes
Competency
Collaborate in healthcare delivery systems settings for improved patient outcomes.

Transferable Skill
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.

Scenario
You have a final interview for your first registered nurse position.
All candidates must come prepared to discuss a time when they collaborated with others to solve a problem in a healthcare delivery setting. The collaborative solution must have improved patient outcomes and incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion. To prepare for the interview, you will create notes.

Directions
Select an example that demonstrates collaboration with others to solve a problem in a healthcare delivery setting to improve patient outcomes. The collaborative solution must incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Describe the problem, including the healthcare delivery setting and impact on patient outcomes.
Explain the collaborative solution, including the people involved and the improvement in patient outcomes.
Describe how diversity, equity, and inclusion were incorporated into the collaborative solution.

Resources

PLEASE USE RESOURCES BELOW
RasGuide: Transferable Skills: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Weiss, S. A., Tappen, R. M., & Grimley, K. (2019). Essentials of Nursing Leadership & Management (7th ed.). F. A. Davis Company. https://ambassadored.vitalsource.com/books/9780803699939

Essay Sample

I once encountered a significant problem in a post-surgical unit that was negatively affecting patient outcomes because of a lack of cultural sensitivity. The setting was a busy surgical ward with a high patient turnover, while the problem related to postoperative pain management. Some patients suffered from inadequate pain relief, leading to increased discomfort, delayed recovery, and longer hospital stays.

The source of the problem was that prescriptions often relied on standard pain management protocols that did not consider individual differences and cultural backgrounds. Some patients failed to communicate their pain because of language barriers or culturally-rooted fear of becoming a burden. This problem persisted because the healthcare team had limited awareness of how diverse backgrounds could lead to unique pain experiences. In response, I was involved in a collaborative solution that created an interdisciplinary team consisting of other nurses, physicians, and hospital administrators. We also consulted social workers, pharmacists, and the diversity and inclusion committee to incorporate multiple perspectives and expert opinions. Our main objective was to develop a comprehensive pain management plan that recognized and respected differences between individuals and groups. The team acknowledged that pain is subjective because many factors can affect it, including beliefs, opinions about medication, and communication styles.

The solution focused on culturally sensitive care, multilingual support, patient education, and personalized plans. We trained on cultural sensitivity to understand different culturally-rooted attitudes toward pain and medication. This training corresponded to Weiss et al.’s (2019) requirement that “nurses should familiarize themselves with the cultural and spiritual beliefs of their clients” (p. 32). In response to language barriers, the hospital hired interpreters fluent in the most common languages in our target populations to help patients express their pain levels and needs. We collaborated with the interpreters to create education materials that addressed the importance of pain management and the role of patients in reporting their symptoms. These materials also clarified the types of available pain medications and their potential side effects. Finally, we aimed to develop personalized pain management plans for each patient instead of relying only on protocols. Our ideal plans had to consider not only cultural preferences but also individual pain thresholds and any history of adverse reactions to specific medications.

The solution incorporated diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, leading to positive patient outcomes. The team included representatives of different groups based on ethnicity, gender, and cultural experiences. This diversity helped to address various perspectives and potential biases, encouraging members to learn from each other. Also, all team members contributed to developing the plan because we actively sought input from everyone involved to create an approach that respected individual differences. Meanwhile, the cultural sensitivity training aimed to improve understanding of diverse patient populations. We learned that true equity means providing additional help for disadvantaged patients rather than treating everyone the same (Rasmussen University, 2023). Finally, multilingual support and educational materials promoted effective communication and helped to overcome interpersonal barriers. I witnessed the results of these efforts as patients reported improved pain management experiences, which shortened recovery time and helped to avoid overmedication. The healthcare team also observed increased patient satisfaction scores, indicating a positive impact on patient-centered care.

I believe that we improved patient outcomes and fostered an inclusive healthcare environment with respect for the unique needs of all patient populations. This experience taught me that teamwork and diverse perspectives are critical to achieving positive changes in healthcare delivery. Each practitioner can make a difference with a willingness to learn from others and contribute to joint efforts.

References

Rasmussen University. (2023, February 21). RasGuide: Diversity, equity, and Inclusion. RasGuides at Rasmussen University. https://guides.rasmussen.edu/DEI/Home

Weiss, S. A., Tappen, R. M., & Grimley, K. (2019). Essentials of nursing leadership & management (7th ed.). F. A. Davis Company.