NURS FPX 4000 Assignment 5 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

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Capella university

NURS-FPX4000 Developing a Nursing Perspective

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Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Chronic illnesses are a major cause of health costs and deaths around the globe. Even though healthcare has advanced, chronic disease management (CDM) is still a challenge due to patients not always sticking to their plans and delayed monitoring. Good CDM helps to mitigate long-term problems, improve patient outcomes, and make healthcare more manageable. There are suggestions that wearable technology can facilitate more effective monitoring, personalized advice, and early detection of problems (Sharma et al., 2021). The paper examines how wearable technology aids in managing chronic diseases and its applications in various areas, as well as the ethical issues and challenges associated with its implementation.

Understanding the Problem of CDM

Chronic diseases cause most deaths and disabilities around the world. Heart disease and cancer were the main causes of death in the United States in 2022, as they led to about 40% of all deaths, and chronic diseases caused about 80% of total deaths. It is expected that chronic illnesses will cost the global economy a total of $47 trillion by 2030 (Hacker et al., 2024). Though treatments are accessible, the rising number of chronic diseases points out that CDM still has significant problems, such as uncoordinated care, little patient involvement, and poor control of symptoms.

Most current healthcare systems do not focus enough on patients, leading to ineffective CDM. It has been found that when healthcare providers and patients misunderstand each other, it can interrupt care and lead to poor results for people with chronic illnesses (Zhang et al., 2025). They suggest that advanced and combined solutions should support CDM strategies. Adinkrah (2024) emphasizes the importance of adopting updated and regular treatments to manage chronic conditions. With the number of individuals affected by chronic illnesses rising rapidly, there is an urgent need to enhance CDM practices as the healthcare system struggles to keep up with increasing demands. 

Analysis of Ineffective CDM

CDM is the coordinated, ongoing care of long-term conditions to enhance health results and life quality (Sharma et al., 2021). Chronic diseases are difficult for patients to manage, resulting in poor disease control, increased complications, and avoidable hospital admissions. Key barriers to effective CDM include missed medication doses, insufficient patient education, fragmented care coordination, and social challenges such as difficulty attending frequent medical visits. Patients living with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease often struggle to maintain their health and well-being, especially when they lack regular health checkups, cannot easily understand disease information, or do not receive consistent treatment (Schwarz et al., 2022). These challenges are particularly evident in primary care and community health settings, where nurses frequently act as the initial contact of contact. Delivering quality CDM in these environments is difficult due to staffing shortages, high patient volumes, and limited resources. The situation is even more severe in rural and underserved urban areas, where medical facilities and access to specialist care are scarce (Schwarz et al., 2022).

Nurses hold a vital position in CDM, supporting patient safety, delivering essential care, and helping individuals understand and manage their conditions effectively. However, ineffective CDM practices can lead to system inefficiencies, poor health outcomes, and increased stress among healthcare professionals. Given their close contact with patients, nurses are well-positioned to identify disparities in care and advocate for equitable, effective treatment for all (Flaubert, 2021). Poor CDM disproportionately affects risk groups, such as elderly individuals, people with limited income, marginalized communities, and those managing multiple health conditions, often encountering financial hardships and restricted access to healthcare services. (Flaubert, 2021). Enhancing CDM calls for innovative care models, stronger provider collaboration, and effective use of technology to rdecrease problems and enhance long-term outcomes.

Comparing Potential Solutions to Address the Problem 

Effective approaches for CDM include teaching patients, utilizing wearable technology, and forming groups of coordinated healthcare professionals. With wearable devices, everyone involved can view real-time health data, enabling more regular monitoring of patients and prompt responses to any changes (Sharma et al., 2021). Besides using technology, improving communication and empowering patients to take charge of their care are crucial in both teaching and care coordination. While some experts recommend meeting with health coaches and consulting a doctor regularly, others suggest that using wearable devices can provide accurate health readings and reduce the need for frequent clinic visits (Reed et al., 2023).

Sharp monitoring of breathing, medications taken, and daily activities is possible with the help of smartwatches and biosensors. The use of these technologies leads to improved communication between patients and healthcare providers, earlier recognition of health issues, and the ability to customize treatments (Sharma et al., 2021). Over time, they can save money on healthcare and decrease the number of patients returning to the hospital, making CDM both efficient and patient-centered. However, there are some obstacles to the widespread adoption of solar energy. The fact that it is costly, many patients are not tech-savvy, and privacy concerns may stop its adoption. Furthermore, utilizing data from wearable devices in healthcare systems requires technological advancements (Sharma et al., 2021). Even with the identified issues related to CDM, wearable devices can be effectively supported by good training and healthcare, aiding in the management of many chronic illnesses and improving outcomes over time. 

Ethical Principles and the Solution

To utilize wearable technology in CDM, the principles of beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice must be carefully considered. Beneficence implies that the use of technology should lead to improved health outcomes for patients. Devices like continuous glucose monitores (CGM)s help diabetic patients maintain good blood sugar levels, avoid serious side effects, and improve their day-to-day living, so they are considered an important tool in CDM (Gutiérrez et al., 2021). Nonmaleficence means putting a strong emphasis on avoiding harm. While wearables supply real-time information for CDM, mistakes or errors in the device may lead to wrong or delayed care. To mitigate these risks, both patients and healthcare providers should receive training, and devices must be reliable.

Autonomy is about helping patients make informed decisions about their healthcare (Kamphorst et al., 2024). Those involved in CDM must ensure that patients understand the function of wearables, how their data may be handled, and that they are given the option to opt-out. For people to trust you, it is important to be transparent and obtain their informed agreement in advance. In CDM, ensuring justice means providing equal access to wearable technologies for everyone. Addressing difficulties such as digital literacy gaps and healthcare inequality is essential to uphold justice and promote equitable care (Kamphorst et al., 2024). It is also possible that algorithmic bias can influence the accuracy of data, particularly for groups that are underrepresented in the data. All patients should benefit from CDM, and that happens only when design and validation are inclusive.

Solution and Spheres of Care 

When wearable technology is used, it helps improve CDM in many aspects of healthcare. Wearables in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention can detect early signs of chronic health problems such as an increased heart rate or abnormal sugar levels. Diagnosing the disease early means that interventions can be applied timely, and long-term strategies can be planned to prevent the disease from worsening. In the main area of CDM, devices such as continuous glucose monitors and blood pressure trackers give instant information that helps patients receive accurate treatment, take their medications as directed, and receive personalized care (Natalucci et al., 2023). Through continuous feedback, healthcare providers can update care plans in advance and help reduce the likelihood of complications and readmissions.

Those who have had a stroke use wearables to help them monitor their movement, heart rate, and exercise levels. With these insights, clinicians can modify therapy, support better recovery, and prevent relapses, which are the primary objectives of CDM. Lastly, wearables enable the easy monitoring of symptoms for patients with advanced chronic diseases in Palliative or Supportive Care (Sharma et al., 2021). Tracking a person’s pain level, breathing, and sleep patterns can help care teams address symptoms more effectively, in line with CDM principles that support quality of life and self-worth. This means that wearables can help manage chronic diseases, regardless of their severity. 

Conclusion

 CDM is crucial for minimizing complications, enhancing life quality, and alleviating the strain on healthcare systems. Wearable technology offers real-time monitoring, early detection, and personalized care, making CDM more effective. It supports patients and providers across all spheres of care. Ethical considerations, such as equity, autonomy, and data accuracy, must guide the implementation. When used responsibly, wearables can transform chronic care into a more proactive, patient-centered approach.

References

Adinkrah, E. (2024). Patient education in chronic disease management. Physician Assistant Clinics, 9(4), 527–540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpha.2024.05.005 

Flaubert, J. L. (2021). The role of nurses in improving health care access and quality. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573910/ 

NURS FPX 4000 Assignment 5 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Gutiérrez, R., Alanis, J. M., Barrera, F. J., & McCoy, R. G. (2021). Value of patient-centered glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Current Diabetes Reports, 21(12). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-021-01433-0 

Hacker, K. (2024). The burden of chronic disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 8(1), 112–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2023.08.005

Kamphorst, B. A., Mulder, B. C., Kamp, I. van, Boekhold, S., Peter, & Verweij, M. F. (2024). Ethics of early detection of disease risk factors: A scoping review. Biomed Central Medical Ethics, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-024-01012-4 

Lehrer, C., Eseryel, U. Y., Rieder, A., & Jung, R. (2021). Behavior change through wearables: The interplay between self-leadership and IT-based leadership. Electronic Markets, 31, 747–764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12525-021-00474-3 

Natalucci, V., Marmondi, F., Biraghi, M., & Bonato, M. (2023). The effectiveness of wearable devices in non-communicable diseases to manage physical activity and nutrition: Where We Are? Nutrients, 15(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040913 

Reed, M. E., Huang, J., Somers, M. J., Hsueh, L., Graetz, I., Millman, A., Muelly, E., & Gopalan, A. (2023). Telemedicine versus in-person primary care: Treatment and follow-up visits. Annals of Internal Medicine, 176(10), 1349–1357. https://doi.org/10.7326/m23-1335 

NURS FPX 4000 Assignment 5 Analyzing a Current Health Care Problem or Issue

Schwarz, T., Schmidt, A. E., Bobek, J., & Ladurner, J. (2022). Barriers to accessing health care for people with chronic conditions: A qualitative interview study. Biomed Central Health Services Research, 22(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08426-z 

Sharma, A., Badea, M., Tiwari, S., & Marty, J. L. (2021). Wearable biosensors: An alternative and practical approach in healthcare and disease monitoring. Molecules, 26(3), 748. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26030748 

Zhang, L., Wang, B., & Fu, C. (2025). The effect of patient participation on trust in primary health care physicians among patients with chronic diseases: The mediating role of perceived value. Frontiers in Public Health, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1586123