Posted: January 18th, 2023

Impacts of the changing landscape of the U.S. delivery system

Discuss the positive and negative impacts of the changing landscape of the U.S. delivery system. What can an APRN do to minimize these negative impacts?
-SAMPLE ANSWER-
The U.S. delivery system is undergoing significant changes as a result of advances in technology, changes in healthcare laws and regulations, and shifts in consumer demand. These changes can have both positive and negative impacts on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Positive impacts of the changing landscape of the U.S. delivery system include:
Increased access to care: Advances in telemedicine and the widespread adoption of electronic health records have made it easier for patients to access medical care, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Improved efficiency and cost savings: The use of technology and data analytics can help providers better manage patient populations and reduce healthcare costs.
Greater emphasis on preventive care and patient engagement: The shift towards value-based care models, which focus on keeping patients healthy rather than just treating them when they’re sick, can lead to better outcomes and lower costs.
Negative impacts of the changing landscape of the U.S. delivery system include:
Decreased face-to-face interaction between patients and healthcare providers: The increased use of telemedicine and remote monitoring can make it more difficult for providers to establish a rapport with their patients, which can negatively impact the patient-provider relationship and lead to poorer outcomes.
Increased administrative burden on healthcare providers: The adoption of electronic health records and other technology can create additional administrative tasks for healthcare providers, which can take away from time that could be spent caring for patients.
Disruption to the traditional provider-patient relationship: The increased use of virtual care and digital health may disrupt the traditional relationship between healthcare providers and patients, and make it difficult for providers to understand the full context of a patient’s care needs.
An APRN (Advanced Practice Registered Nurse) can minimize negative impacts in the changing landscape of the U.S. delivery system by:
Making use of technology to improve care coordination and communication with other members of the patient’s healthcare team.
Ensuring that telehealth and digital health visits are appropriately integrated with in-person visits and care, so that patients don’t solely rely on virtual care for all their needs.
Keeping in close contact with patients to understand their needs and preferences, so that the APRN can adjust the way they deliver care to meet the patient’s individual needs.
Taking the time to establish a good rapport with their patients and build trust, which can be especially important when delivering care remotely or via technology.
Keeping up-to-date with the changing laws, regulations and policies that impact healthcare delivery so that they can adjust their practice accordingly.
An APRN can also advocate for policies and regulations that support quality patient care and reasonable provider reimbursement, which can help to mitigate some of the negative impacts of the changing landscape of the U.S. delivery system.