Topic: Emerging Technology

As the DNP prepared nurse, how would you educate patients and families on genomic research or nanotechnology? Select one and describe. Use three peer reviewed references from 2016 upwards, do not use text book or websites. Use APA formate, 2 pages.

 

Emerging Technology

Technological advancements in medicine are paving the way for better, safe, and efficient approaches to health. A critical field with a wide application is genomic. It involves studying body genes, their functionalities, and their significance to the growth, development, and working of a person's body (Berger & Cho, 2019). Genomics is an emerging technology in medicine that depends on individuals' genomes (all sets of genes) in influencing clinical care. The field is necessary in improving the diagnosis and management of hereditary conditions. The input of patents and their families is necessary in making informed clinical decision, which requires patients' education on genomics. The following discussion evaluates strategies for educating patients and their families on genomic research.

Disseminating any information on genomic research to patients and their families needs to assess their current knowledge level on the subject. Without necessary health literacy, the information on genomic research cannot be meaningful to the patients and their families (Fawaz et al., 2018). Health literacy defines the degree to which individuals can acquire, process, and comprehend basic health information and services to make necessary health decisions. DNPs should assess the health literacy of patients and families on genomic research to determine the scope and the depth of disseminating the education. The assessment should include aspects like inheritance, hereditary variations, and the foundation for the variation like mutation (Berger & Cho, 2019). The DNP should progress by defining key terms and concepts of genomic research like genes, DNA, and heredity.

A patient teach-back strategy can have a significant milestone in patients' education. It involves the provider explaining important procedures, concepts, and techniques to patients and their families and requesting them to explain the explained concepts in their words (Zhila et al., 2018). The DNP can explain to the patients and their families the role of chromosomes in influencing hereditary disorders and the significance of genomics in early diagnosis. This strategy will help the DNP assess the degree to which individuals comprehend the given education and highlight areas that need emphasis. This education strategy aims to enable providers to explain medical information clearly in ways that patients and their families understand. The teach-back strategy is recommended due to its effectiveness and low cost and helps providers make patient-centered decisions.

Some technologies can have significant implications on patients and family education on genomic research. Health IT can offer care providers convenience and ease of sharing information with individuals. Simple technologies like PowerPoint presentations can be ideal in presenting information graphically (Berger & Cho, 2019). For example, a DNP can use the technology to present a 3-D figure of a chromosome and DNA to the patients and their families. The DNP can also engage the individuals on interactive platforms like WhatsApp and Twitter, where they can share educational information, pictures, podcasts, and short videos on aspects like how genes mutate, forms of mutations, causes, and consequences to an individual's health.

Sharing educational material is a foundation for patients and family education in healthcare. DNPs that use this strategy go beyond education to illustrate and demonstrate concepts, making the education process impactful (Fawaz et al., 2018). They need to engage patients and their families to determine the material that best meets their expectations. The providers can share brochures, charts, and posters highlighting basic forms of DNA mutations and examples of common disorders related to each mutation. Effective education material can help patients, and their families understand the education concepts in their ways and promote the relationship between them and care professionals. These benefits enhance individuals' self-care knowledge and protecting themselves from risk factors associated with specific forms of mutation common in their lineage.