Part 1: Propose a relevant nursing practice problem for an evidence-based practice project. Explain why you selected this topic and how it is relevant to advance nursing practice. Include one research article that demonstrates support for the nursing practice problem.
Practice problems affect the work environment, increase healthcare costs, and impede healthcare workforce productivity, among other outcomes. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among older adults is a significant nursing practice problem since it increases patient visits, healthcare costs, and the risk for cardiovascular disease (Evans et al., 2022). I also selected this topic since increased dependence on healthcare increases nurses’ workload, adversely affecting their health and well-being. Therefore, it expands research on interventions essential for improving population health and achieving a healthy workplace for nurses. Research shows that type 2 diabetes is associated with reduced functional performance and independence (Kirwan et al., 2021). As a result, interventions tailored to improve functional capacity among older adults with type 2 diabetes are crucial for improved health outcomes and reduced clinical visits. The article by Pfeifer et al. (2022) explored the link between physical exercise interventions and functional capacity among older adults. The findings underline the significance of a physical activity program to improve glycaemic control, quality of life, and functional capacity.
Part II: In the table below, describe the population and the intervention. (You will continue drafting the PICOT, completing the shaded areas in Topic 3.)
| PICOT Question | ||
| P | Population | Older adults with type 2 diabetes
Older adults are a unique population with complex and highly demanding health conditions. Generally, type 2 diabetes has a high prevalence among older adults, necessitating interventions guided by a clear understanding of how age, diabetes risk, and health outcomes are associated (Cigolle et al., 2022). Older adults occupy the broader population of individuals with diabetes seeking regular care in healthcare settings. |
| I | Intervention | Twice-weekly tailored physical exercise training
The program includes short physical exercises combining aerobic, flexibility, and balance training. Such programs are highly effective in improving functional fitness and enabling independent living among patients with type 2 diabetes (Kirwan et al., 2021; Gao et al., 2022). |
| C | Comparison | |
| O | Outcome | |
| T | Timeframe | |
| PICOT |
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| Problem Statement |
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References
Cigolle, C. T., Blaum, C. S., Lyu, C., Ha, J., Kabeto, M., & Zhong, J. (2022). Associations of age at diagnosis and duration of diabetes with morbidity and mortality among older adults. JAMA Network Open, 5(9), e2232766-e2232766. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.32766
Evans, M., Chandramouli, A. S., Faurby, M., Matthiessen, K. S., Mogensen, P. B., & Verma, S. (2022). Healthcare costs and hospitalizations in US patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease: a retrospective database study (OFFSET). Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism, 24(7), 1300–1309. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14703