Contemporary Models and Their Benefits in Primary Healthcare
Introduction
Nursing models have achieved remarkable success during their implementation. However, realizing a single model to manage all the expectations of the nurses, patients, and family has remained a challenge. As such, academics and professional continue to develop models that appreciate integrated approaches to medical operations in order to realize enhanced medical experience for patients and their families. Models such as the synergy and patient navigation have several gains to patients and nurses by improving the clinical experience of clients and professionalism of nurses in the practice environment. In response to the growing dynamic needs of the patients, and the expectations in the professional practice, this paper presents contemporary nursing models and applies them in various scenarios to illustrate the gains they achieve through quality benefits in healthcare practice, leadership, and management principles within the entire hospital setup.
Synergy Model for Patient Care
Synergy model for patient care supports the nursing practices to improve of professionalism and enhance the patient’s experience in healthcare. Georgiou, Amenudzie, Ho, and O’Sullivan (2017) aver that the model empowers the care nurse to attain control of the professional practices and the environment they work around which helps to attract and retain nurses (p. 13). In addition, synergy model for patient care responds to the needs of the patients by establishing competencies and resources prospects of the expected care (Georgiou et al., 2017, p. 13). Another significant achievement of the model is the ability to support healthcare providers to predetermine the patient characteristics and match them to professional competencies during care. For example, upon addressing the patient essentials, providers will identify individuals suited for the service in order to achieve the ideal clinical outcomes (Georgiou et al., 2017, p. 13). Therefore, model works best within the primary healthcare system and lead to improved patient experience and satisfactions for the clinical staffs during service delivery.
Synergy model for Patient Care has achieved various success rates during its application. The Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre for the ematology/Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Program applied the models in 2012, to improve patient quality and care in the work environment through a Pilot (Georgiou et al., 2017, p. 13). The objective was to ascertain whether the Synergy model was adaptable for hematology patient population, applicable in acute inpatients situation and establish factors that lead to success or limitations (Georgiou et al., 2017, p. 13). The findings revealed that an 80% majority of RNs rated their commitment as either ideal or busy but manageable (Georgiou et al., 2017, p. 14). From the findings about the nurse perceptions on the practice environments, the study revealed that the model encourages the nurses to be involved in determining staff assignments while, nurse skills and expertise are matched to patient care needs (Georgiou et al., 2017, p. 15). Accordingly, the models enable novice nurses to be supported by expert and experienced colleagues within the service. Therefore, Georgiou et al. (2017) demonstrate that synergy model is an effective ‘operating system’ for managing nursing and healthcare services (p. 16). The study also validate that it is applicable to the fluctuating acuity of a hematology patient population since it enhance informed and timely decision making on resources allocation and utilization.
Patient Navigation Models in Nursing
Patient navigation is a model that support patients in delayed cancer care. Freeman (2015) demonstrates the effectiveness of the approach in eliminating economic disproportion of patients in cancer management (p. 3930). According to the author, black Americans, and other poor American are most susceptible to cancer mortality compared to other Americans hence the needs for patient navigation as a model of intervention (p. 3931). The model is therefore an effective intermediation measure to support patients challenged from to access mainstream medical aid for terminal illness due to socioeconomic limitations.
Patients navigation model should be encourage in healthcare facilities. Freeman (2015) posits that the model addresses the barriers to timely care. Furthermore, the author illustrates that the model should target high-risk groups in order to manage infectious and chronic diseases (p. 3932). In a study by Freeman (2015), the results revealed that the model applied to high-risk population contributed to effective care and enhanced health outcomes. Therefore, the model is an effective tool for improved healthcare especially in addressing the socioeconomic gaps that limit access to quality care in the society.
Inter-Professional Practice Model
Inter-professional collaboration (IPC) is a progressive nursing model in modern healthcare management. Regan, Laschinger, and Wong (2016) explain that the model is key to the transformation of healthcare. In addition, it helps to address issues such as shortages in healthcare workers (p. E53). Accordingly, the authors aver that IPC is a significant policy approach in managing patients’ safety. For instance, IPC inspires collaborative, participatory, and coordinated approach to realize integrated decision making in social and health issues in a partnership between clients and teams of healthcare professionals (Regan et al., 2016, p. E54). Through this approach, job satisfaction is achieved among the professional staff. Regan et al. (2016) illustrate that nurses are strategically place within the healthcare system to promote the principles of IPC since they play leadership roles (p. E54). Thus, IPC supports the quality services to patients through collaborative approaches between various healthcare professionals.
IPC is an effective foundation employed to achieve professionalism in service delivery. A study by Regan et al. (2016) reveals that the model helped to reduce job burnout while it increased organizational trust and civility within the professional practice (p. E55). Regan et al. (2016) used three variables; structural empowerment, authentic leadership, and professional practice environments as component of IPC. Their study reveals that the models is effective in confidence building for nurses, encourages participation in the practice environment, and builds autonomy. By applying an integrated approach in care under IPC, inter and intra departmental support can help to develop safety measures for nurses, which also leads to improved levels of clinical management. IPC should therefore, be encouraged in healthcare system in order to improve patients experience and build motivation to healthcare professionals.
Nursing models are important instruments in the professional practice. Skilled application within the nursing profession provides impetus for quality in work assignments (Slatyer, Coventry, Twigg, & Davis, 2016, p. 4). Utilizing various models helps to achieved set targets and deliver effective healthcare for all. Job satisfaction is key to enhanced service in the professional practice. Accordingly, IPC model is an effective approach in achieving work fulfillment and retention rates for healthcare workers. Implementing such models generates incentives for professional growth and enhances quality for patients and their families.
Conclusion
Nursing care model are intervention that enable access to quality and improved healthcare for patients, their families, and healthcare specialists. The models provide pragmatic approaches in managing various scenarios within the healthcare system. For instance, when supporting financially challenged individuals to realize quality care, the model reduces prevalence levels for chronic and infectious maladies. Additionally, the model helps to realize enhanced motivation among clinical workers and help in achieving professionalism in the medical practice. Therefore, models should be encouraged as a system of cultivating quality and value in healthcare.