Obesity is one of the central problems for the US healthcare system. According to Fildes et al. (2015), the probability of decreasing body mass index (BMI) or maintaining weight loss among obese patients is low. Therefore, traditional treatment frameworks based on community-based weight management programs are considered ineffective (Fildes et al., 2015). Based on such findings, a DNP-prepared nurse put forward an initiative to change the current clinical practice by promoting bariatric surgery in obese patients.
Even though the method is not an innovation, and it has been used by hospitals around the world (Kim et al., 2014), clinicians rarely recommend it due to associated side effects. At the same time, research conducted by Arterburn et al. (2015), bariatric surgery is an efficient method of decreasing BMI, which is associated with reduced long-term mortality rates. Even though the initiative was well-received by the hospital authorities, the transitioning from theory to practice was a painstaking process.
The DNP-prepared nurse utilized Lewin’s change theory to plan the transition. First, she aroused dissatisfaction among healthcare personnel about the current practice of addressing obesity. Second, she offered all the nurses and clinicians to utilize new guidelines and recommend bariatric surgery more often. Third, she assessed the adherence to new clinical practice using questionnaires and made corrections to the guidelines to ensure positive results.
The primary problem faced by the DNP-prepared nurse were low adherence to guidelines due to mistrust and lack of time. However, despite the barriers, the new practice was associated with improved patient satisfaction. The long-term results and implications for community health, however, are yet to be measured. In short, the translation from theory to practice can be called a success since it was based on a solid theoretical framework and the latest evidence. The DNP’s qualifications were also a central reason for the successful implementation.
References
Arterburn, D. E., Olsen, M. K., Smith, V. A., Livingston, E. H., Van Scoyoc, L., Yancy, W. S.,… & Maciejewski, M. L. (2015). Association between bariatric surgery and long-term survival. JAMA, 313(1), 62-70.
Fildes, A., Charlton, J., Rudisill, C., Littlejohns, P., Prevost, A., & Gulliford, M. (2015). Probability of an obese person attaining normal body weight: Cohort study using electronic health records. American Journal of Public Health, 105(9), e54-e59.
Kim, M., Lee, W., Kang, J., Kang, J., Kim, B., & Kim, S., Woo, J. (2014). 2014 clinical practice guidelines for overweight and obesity in Korea. Endocrinology and Metabolism, 29(4), 405 -409.