What examples of advocacy do you see in your own nursing practice? List and discuss 2 examples.
Your initial post should be at least 500 words, formatted and cited in current APA style with support from at least 2 academic sources. Your initial post is worth 8 points.
Advocacy in Nursing Practice
Advocacy is a fundamental component of nursing practice, reflecting the commitment to patient welfare, safety, and rights. In my nursing practice, I have encountered numerous instances where advocacy played a pivotal role in patient outcomes. Here, I will discuss two prominent examples: advocating for patients’ pain management and advocating for improved interdisciplinary collaboration.
Advocating for Patients’ Pain Management
Effective pain management is crucial for patient recovery and quality of life. However, pain is often underreported and undertreated, leading to unnecessary suffering. In my practice, I encountered a patient with chronic pain who was not receiving adequate pain relief due to concerns about opioid addiction. The patient, a 45-year-old woman with a history of osteoarthritis, frequently reported severe pain that limited her mobility and daily activities. Despite her complaints, her pain management plan remained insufficient, reflecting a bias against the use of opioids.
Recognizing the patient’s distress, I took several steps to advocate for her. First, I conducted a comprehensive pain assessment, documenting the intensity, frequency, and impact of her pain on her quality of life. I also reviewed her medical history to understand her previous responses to pain medications. Armed with this information, I initiated a conversation with the healthcare team, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that considered the patient’s legitimate pain needs and the risks of opioid use.
I proposed a multimodal pain management plan that included non-opioid medications, physical therapy, and cognitive-behavioral strategies. Additionally, I educated the patient about the importance of reporting her pain accurately and reassured her that her pain management was a priority. My advocacy resulted in a revised pain management plan that significantly improved the patient’s comfort and functionality.
This example illustrates the importance of advocating for patient-centered care in pain management. By addressing biases and ensuring comprehensive assessments, nurses can improve pain outcomes and enhance patients’ quality of life.
Advocating for Improved Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for delivering holistic and effective patient care. However, in my organization, I identified gaps in communication and coordination among healthcare professionals, leading to fragmented care and adverse patient outcomes. One notable instance involved an elderly patient with multiple chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. The patient’s care was managed by several specialists, each focusing on their area of expertise, but there was a lack of coordination among them.
To address this issue, I advocated for the implementation of regular interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss complex cases. I presented evidence from academic sources highlighting the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration in improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital readmissions (Muller-Juge et al., 2014). I also emphasized the importance of clear communication channels and shared decision-making in managing patients with multiple comorbidities.
As a result of my advocacy, the organization established a weekly interdisciplinary team meeting that included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other relevant professionals. These meetings facilitated comprehensive care planning, improved communication, and ensured that all aspects of the patient’s health were addressed. For the patient in question, this approach led to better management of her chronic conditions, reduced medication errors, and improved her overall health status.
This example demonstrates the critical role of advocacy in promoting interdisciplinary collaboration. By advocating for structured communication and teamwork, nurses can enhance care coordination, improve patient outcomes, and foster a more cohesive healthcare environment.
Conclusion
Advocacy is an integral part of nursing practice, enabling nurses to champion the needs and rights of their patients. The examples of advocating for effective pain management and improved interdisciplinary collaboration underscore the impact of advocacy on patient care. Through persistent efforts and evidence-based approaches, nurses can drive positive changes in healthcare delivery, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
References
Muller-Juge, V., Cullati, S., Blondon, K. S., Hudelson, P., Maitre, F., Vu, N. V., … & Nendaz, M. R. (2014). Interprofessional collaboration on an internal medicine ward: Role perceptions and expectations among nurses and residents. PLOS ONE, 9(8), e0105083. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0105083
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. (2013). Nursing best practice guideline: Assessment and management of pain. Toronto, ON: Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. Retrieved from https://rnao.ca/bpg/guidelines/assessment-and-management-pain