Exploring a current issue or trend in healthcare that has a significant impact on nursing practice

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Significant Impact on Nursing Practice

  The integration of DHTs and telehealth is fundamentally reshaping the day-to-day roles, responsibilities, and competencies required of nurses. 1. Enhanced Access to Care and New Modalities of Care Delivery: * Telehealth consultations: Nurses are increasingly conducting virtual consultations for chronic disease management, follow-up appointments, mental health support, and even initial triage. This extends the reach of healthcare, especially to rural and underserved populations where physical access to clinics is limited. * Remote Monitoring: Wearable devices and mHealth apps allow nurses to monitor patients' vital signs, blood glucose levels, and activity remotely, enabling proactive interventions and reducing the need for frequent in-person visits. * Impact: Nurses are becoming crucial navigators of virtual care pathways, requiring strong communication skills, astute clinical judgment without physical cues, and the ability to educate patients on using technology. 2. Transformation of Data Management and Documentation (EHRs): * Shift from Paper to Digital: The move to EHRs in Kenyan hospitals and clinics (though not universally adopted) means nurses are now heavily involved in digital documentation, accessing patient information electronically, and ensuring data accuracy and security. * Data Analytics and Decision Support: EHRs can offer clinical decision support tools, helping nurses with medication reconciliation, flagging allergies, and providing evidence-based guidelines. Data from EHRs can also be analyzed to identify trends, predict patient outcomes, and optimize staffing.

Sample Answer

          One of the most significant current issues or trends in healthcare that has a profound impact on nursing practice, particularly in countries like Kenya, is the integration of Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) and Telehealth. This trend is rapidly transforming how nurses provide care, and it has both immense potential and significant challenges for the profession.

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Current Issue/Trend: Digital Health Technologies and Telehealth Integration

  Digital health technologies encompass a broad range of tools, including Electronic Health Records (EHRs), mobile health (mHealth) applications, telehealth platforms, wearable devices, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the adoption of these technologies globally, and Kenya is no exception, with efforts towards digitizing healthcare systems and promoting telehealth.