Healthcare includes two distinct care services. There’s primary care, which involves professionals caring for your general health. A primary healthcare doctor may treat your flu, a rash on your hand and your general health.
Specialized care, on the other hand, is more specific and involves healthcare providers who have gained specialized training and expertise in a particular field. It’s the kind of care that treats individuals with complex medical conditions that require specialized treatment.
Now, while providers for each healthcare service differ, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) bridge the gap between the two types of healthcare services. These professionals know the basics of general care and the nitty-gritty of specialized care. This allows them to help patients smoothly move from primary care to more specialized treatments.
This article will discuss some of the ways FNPs blend primary and specialized care.
Five ways FNPs bridge the gap between primary and specialized care
FNPs are healthcare navigators. They ensure that patients receive the proper care, whether they’re in for an annual check-up or to see a specialist. If you’re a registered nurse interested in becoming an FNP, click here to learn more about the online FNP post-master’s certificate programs offered at reputable institutions such as Rockhurst University. Offering 100% coursework that can be completed in as little as four semesters, this course prepares nurses to care for patients regardless of their ages and ailments. Clinical placement services are also provided to help students arrange for a placement within a reasonable driving distance.
Below are five ways FNPs can ensure their patients receive proper care:
Healthcare accessibility
Many communities and populations live far away from healthcare services. This means they may experience delayed medical attention and even worsening health disparities. FNPs are life-changers in these situations. These professionals are skilled in many medical fields and bring these services to underserved areas.
FNPs set up services in these communities to provide accessible healthcare. They address medical needs and chip away at barriers preventing people from seeking timely care. Sometimes, they’re the healthcare provider you’ll see for your backache, and the ones that’ll treat you for diabetes.
What do they get in return? Trust and encouragement. Patients will engage and be proactive in their recovery when they know healthcare is a part of their community. FNPs provide continuous care in underserved areas, encouraging positive changes in these communities.
Promotion of health literacy
Imagine a 30-year-old female patient who was recently diagnosed with diabetes by a medical outreach team that came to her town. She knows she has this condition but has no idea of what the symptoms are or what to do next. She doesn’t know how to change her diet or the changes she needs to make to her way of living.
A family nurse practitioner can assist patients by educating them on treatments and aftercare. In this context, FNPs are translators that break down complex medical information into understandable language.
For instance, they may inform the patient that she should carefully manage her sugar intake, which may mean eliminating added sugar such as fizzy drinks and pastries. They may also suggest other meals that the patient can choose instead. The point is to help their patients understand their crucial role in their recovery and how they can make it work.
Patients’ understanding and cooperation in treatment decisions
In healthcare, medical providers must keep their patients in the loop regarding their treatment and recovery process. Every patient has a right to make decisions regarding their health, and FNPs are crucial in ensuring patients are informed.
Family nurse practitioners actively engage patients in discussions about their health. They encourage patients to share their concerns, questions and their preferences, to help them understand the patient’s perspectives and values. This is especially important for patients transitioning between primary and specialized care.
In primary care, FNPs focus on preventive measures and general health concerns. They work with patients to draft personalized wellness plans, and they explain screening processes, vaccinations and lifestyle modifications. In specialized care, where patients may have more complex conditions, FNPs act as guides and advocates.
They’ll explain complex medical information and ensure patients understand what a process or prescription entails and how severe their condition is. Simply put, they offer clarity that can help their patients make better decisions regarding their health.
Cooperation in treatment decisions
Healthcare isn’t a one-size-fits-all scenario. FNPs understand the uniqueness of each patient’s situation, even with similar health conditions. They recognize and respect that each patient will have different experiences. FNPs already know the medical intricacies, but they also consider their patients’ lifestyles, personal preferences and even their culture.
They then create an environment where patients can comfortably express their concerns, discuss their fears and ask questions. This helps FNPs build two-way dialogues where they aren’t the only ones asking questions. Patients are more likely to cooperate during treatment decision-making when they understand what’s happening and their role.
FNPs involve their patients in the decision-making process by using a collaborative approach. They explain various treatment options, potential risks and expected outcomes and encourage patients to ask questions. Two-way communication with the patient makes it clear that treatment plans aren’t imposed but are open for discussion with patients. It also indicates that FNPs have considered the patient’s values and goals in the treatment process.
Continuity of care
For FNPs, care doesn’t end when the patient leaves the healthcare setting. These professionals establish long-term relationships with patients beyond their time in hospital.
They become the consistent point of contact throughout a patient’s healthcare journey, whether through primary or specialized care. For example, a patient may call them to ask if the pain around their surgical site is normal, and a cancer survivor may have them on speed dial in case of any discomfort.
The goal is to ensure these patients have a familiar face that can guide them through different aspects of their health. And who better than the family nurse practitioner who educated them, explained medical information and supported them through vulnerable moments?
Conclusion
Family nurse practitioners improve healthcare accessibility for their patients, empower them through knowledge and stay with them through their healthcare journey. FNPs are professionals who grasp the human side of healthcare, which makes them indispensable.
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