Patient Wellness Plan with Wellness Plan Presentation

Critical analysis

Paula is a 58-year-old African-American woman with a family history of diabetes who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes more than a year ago. Although her doctor recommended seeing a diabetes specialist, Paula did not do so. And her diabetes remains uncontrolled. She now experiences frequent urination, fatigue, increased appetite, and other common symptoms.

Multiple factors likely contributed to Paula's diabetes diagnosis. Having a family history of the disease puts her at increased genetic risk, and being African American also elevates risk compared to other ethnic groups. Additionally, at 5'4", Paula's weight of 175 labs classifies her as obese with a BMI of 30. Being overweight or obese significantly raises the chances of developing type 2 diabetes (Yashi & Daley, 2023). Paula also failed to receive preventative screening and care, allowing her diabetes to advance unchecked.

National diabetes screening guidelines from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommend testing all adults for the disease starting at age 35, especially those who are overweight or have other risk factors. If test results are expected, repeat screening every three years is advised. Paula would have benefited from earlier and more regular testing based on her weight and family history, which could have caught her diabetes sooner. The ADA also endorses referral to intensive lifestyle change programs for overweight and at-risk individuals to prevent diabetes, which did not occur in Paula’s case.

Now that Paula has been diagnosed, national treatment guidelines support a collaborative approach between patient and provider based on the patient's preferences and social/community support needs. Paula will need extensive education on diabetes self-management through diet, exercise, medication, and blood glucose testing. The ADA emphasizes that treatment plans should consider a patient’s culture, health beliefs, and individual barriers that may affect their ability to implement lifestyle changes. As an African-American woman, Paula’s upbringing and cultural dietary norms may impact her adaptation to a diabetes nutrition plan. Assessment of her health beliefs and potential obstacles to care will be critical.

Ongoing medical and nutritional support tailored to Paula’s needs and priorities will be essential to help her successfully control her diabetes and improve her health. Referral to community-based diabetes education programs may also provide the extensive support Paula requires. Consistency with national guideline-recommended care has been lacking, and enhanced adherence is imperative.

Wellness Recommendations

The traditional medical approach that likely would have been recommended for Paula upon diabetes diagnosis would be a referral to a diabetes educator and nutritionist. These specialists could educate Paula on the lifestyle changes needed to manage her illness, including instruction on healthy eating, home blood glucose monitoring, medications, physical activity, and more. However, this approach was ineffective since Paula failed to follow up on the initial referral.

Barriers like limited time, finances, transportation, or low health motivation may have prevented Paula from pursuing diabetes education. Additionally, research shows that African-American patients often feel that the medical system does not meet their needs. Doubt or lack of confidence in communicating with the medical team can often hinder care (Hostetter & Klein, 2021). An additional approach that considers Paula's issues and leadership is recommended.

Another way is through Paula's church, where she volunteers. According to Cyriac et al. (2021), Faith-based health in the African-American community has successfully improved nutrition, increased physical activity, and improved self-control. A church-based diabetes care program can provide peer counseling and gospel health education; which Paula would appreciate. A daily commitment to mental health can also help alleviate the uncertainty that a new diagnosis can bring.

Lifestyle changes are also needed to support Paula's treatment. Dietary changes are essential because a healthy diet can help control diabetes and reduce the risk of complications (Uusitupa et al., 2019). Meetings with a nutritionist and chef to develop a healthy dietary culture for diabetes can give Paula a sense of compliance and ownership of her care method. Setting a step goal with a pedometer and gradually increasing walking daily can also meet Paula's fitness goals without burdening her with other aspects of managing her disease. Family counseling can create positive energy.

To this end, Paula should ideally consult a nutritionist twice every month for the first half a year so that they can plan and adjust her food, considering her culture, taste preferences, and health requirements. The nutritionist may suggest making soul food healthier through recipes and other tips. In addition, Paula needs to see a fitness trainer at least twice every other week to establish small objectives for daily minutes of walking and strength workouts. Besides, Paula could also consider accompanying church friends for prayer walks at dusk. It is just with love that her daughter will support participation and progress. Lastly, the entire family must go for regular counseling sessions to help open discussions about Paul’s adjustment to the disease.

Research shows that diabetes self-management education and health promotion are effective (Mikhael et al., 2020). A long-term lifestyle change allowed Paula to address her unique challenges and strengths in treatment and the society she contributes to.

The following plan is recommended to help Paula manage her diabetes and improve her overall health:

• - Schedule Paula, a certified diabetes educator and nutritionist specializing in diabetes nutrition educator meetings. The daughter should help Paula clarify questions and keep records. The first visit will focus on understanding carbohydrate counting, glycemic index food content, healthy eating times, and weight goals. As the diet changes, Paula will be given a blood sugar test to measure her blood sugar.
• - Create an easy-to-follow, balanced diet that includes Paula's favorite foods while focusing on lean, high-fiber carbohydrates and healthy fats, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A nutritionist will provide an educational menu detailing food ingredients and calories to make it easier for families to prepare meals.
• - Refer Paula to an American personal trainer to determine her fitness level using measurements such as blood pressure and a 6-minute walk. Collaboratively create achievable goals to increase daily progress measured by the provided pedometer. Follow-up visits are planned every two weeks to introduce activities as tolerated gradually. The combination of the seat for comfort and power. 4. Paula and her daughter joined the church by working at Powerhouse Diabetes. This peer-to-peer program provides eight weeks of gospel nutrition education, walking clubs, health coaching, and motivational training. Prayer and daily devotion provided spiritual support as Paula adapted to her lifestyle.
• - Schedule a monthly health behavior meeting for Paula and her daughter to communicate openly and develop solutions when problems arise while implementing behavior changes (diet, exercise, or self-examination). Identify negative thought patterns early to prevent further decline. Use available family support programs. 6. After six months, Paula's clinical study, health assessment, nutrition diary, and self-assessment data will help determine the effectiveness of the lifestyle change. The care team can adjust diet, activity, and training plans to ensure success and accountability. Maintaining a regular schedule will help prevent a gradual return to unhealthy patterns.

This combination of treatment, nutrition, exercise, and community support gave Paula the best chance of successfully managing her diabetes and focusing on creating evidence-based care strategies based on Paula's unique needs and circumstances to ensure accuracy and outcomes. Continuous monitoring will help overcome different barriers to long-term change.

Following diabetes education, personalized meal planning, increasing activity goals, and social support/community will significantly impact the patient's physical and mental health. There was an immediate and future impact on Paula's life. Learning practical strategies for managing blood sugar through meal planning, testing procedures, and medication management will help Paula control her blood sugar in the short term. This will reduce symptoms such as fatigue, blurred vision, and slow healing. Preventing further health problems depends on maintaining reasonable blood sugar control and weight over time. Through continued diet and physical changes, Paula's risk of heart disease, brain damage, kidney disease, and stroke will decrease. Equally important, having the support of family, church members, and professionals around Paula can help them cope with the negative emotions such as denial, fear, and loneliness that often accompany the diagnosis. Relying on loved ones for responsibility and support as she makes lifestyle changes increase Paula's chances of success and hope. Staying committed to Paula's overall health gives her the best chance of managing her diabetes while she recovers.