THESIS STATEMENT IS: THE MEDICAL HOMECONCEPT HAS ENABLED DNP (LEADERS TO BE A THE FOREFRONT OF DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY CARE, WITH IMPROVED PATIENT OUTCOMES AND DECREASED COST. BASICALLY ABOUT PROVIDING HOME MEDICAL SERVICES FROM NURSE PRACTITIONERS

The medical home concept has enabled DNP (leaders to be a the forefront of delivering high quality care, with improved patient outcomes and decreased cost. Basically about providing home medical services from Nurse Practitioners

The medical home concept has enabled DNP (leaders to be the forefront of delivering high quality care, with improved patient outcomes and decreased cost. Basically about providing home medical services from Nurse Practitioners

Introduction

In today's rapid changing world, leaders are very pertinent, especially in the field of nursing. Good nursing leaders have the ability to provide direction, facilitate structure to reach goals, and cohesiveness throughout team members. Leader by definition is “someone who uses interpersonal skills to influence others to accomplish specific goals” (Sullivan & Decker, 2009, p. 329). On the other hand a manager is different. Their goal is geared toward being responsible and accountable for the goals of the organization.

Discussion

The home health care system is one of the fastest growing industries in America. Today, there has been a vast growth of services with approximately 7.6 million clients receiving care from about 83,000 providers (National Association for Home Care and Hospice, 2008, pg 1). This is an increase of 63,000 suppliers since 2004. Factors affecting these figures are; an aging population, rising health care costs, reimbursement plans, advances in technology, and a trend of clients desiring this avenue of care for various health related restrictions. Home health care encompasses the collaborative efforts of various professionals all seeking the common goal of determining the needs of the client and their families.

Home health care leaders require advanced knowledge and skills, usually at the Baccalaureate level, in the delivery of either generalized or specialized care for the client in this setting. Common areas of concern include cardiac, respiratory, permanent disabilities such as Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis, hospice, and dialysis to name a few. Nursing in the home care industry has many advantages as compared to nursing in the hospital environment. For one, Nurses claim a greater sense of self-government. The RN must demonstrate a high level of competency in areas such as, assessments, problem-solving, critical thinking, and organization skills. (Anderson, Mignor, 2008, p. 20). Studies also show that nurses claim a greater sense of belonging in this setting as it fosters more trust and connectedness with the client and their family due to the psychological intimacy and security of the home environment. Families' display more natural behavior at home and cultural values may be practiced without inhibition. When choosing styles of leadership, Nurses regard themselves to a greater degree as patient advocates compared to methods used in the hospital, using a more democratic approach which encourages group discussion and collaborative decision-making.

Leader Description

The characteristic of a true leader, and that is to lead by example, other important characteristics of a leader, such as holding ...