Role of Healthcare Practitioner - Case Study Example

 Abstract This Paper examines the role of the health care practitioner in endoscopy, through an assessment of the initiatives of the NHS in coordinating the various diagnostic disciplines in cancer prevention. This Paper also examines the meaning of professional practice as it relates to nurses and stereotyping in the nursing profession. The role of the health Care Practitioner in endoscopy Introduction: Endoscopy is the method of use of a flexible optical instrument to examine the interior parts of the body. The practice is of great benefit especially in the detection of cancer [www.endoscopy.nhs.uk]. It is a diagnostic tool that is useful and beneficial for patients by providing for early detection of cancer. Endoscopy has developed rapidly in the last few years and provided relief to numerous cancer patients in the early detection of the disease, which renders it curable. The NHS has introduced new measures to ensure efficient utilization of endoscopy services, since available resources in this area are not being used to the optimum levels. Inpatients were being forced to wait for more than six days for endoscopy services and there was no proper coordination between A&E departments and endoscopy units, with incorrect referrals often being made. Improvements have been made based on deficiencies identified through studies in endoscopy [www.modern.nhs.uk, n.d]. Cancer nursing is an area where there are continuous developments and the optimum use of diagnostic tools such as endoscopy could make all the difference in treatment and cure of cancer patients. Thus the NHS has recently been introducing changes to optimize services and provide for better coordination between various medical terms and personnel to improve diagnosis and treatment for cancer patients. The changing role of the NHS: A Department of Health Services report released in 1995 which focused on the configuration of cancer services has resulted in fresh new perspectives being offered on the integration of cancer diagnostic and treatment services from a patient oriented view [Porter, n.d.]. Educational trends are also being reviewed, revealing the lack of adequate cancer based education in the field of nursing. This is a specialist branch of nursing and requires additional enhancement of study material for nursing graduates. Clinical diagnosis through endoscopy offers new opportunities for cancer trained nurses in diagnostic services [Porter, n.d.]. However, the field of cancer diagnostics and research has evolved into various disciplines such as endoscopy and radiology, which are now being inter-related to ensure optimum use of facilities and personnel,for the service of patients. Traditional conceptions about medical services and health care professionals have been changing in recent years, in view of the increasing onset of diseases and the changing needs of the public. Endoscopy is one area where there have been some significant changes and attempts are being made to link up this branch of diagnostic services with radiology in order to enhance the provision of services. The aim of the NHS is to engage every unit in the improvement of service. By providing customers a choice of several venues where they may avail of endoscopy services depending upon availability, provision has been made for patients to access the needed services much faster, so that each of the endoscopy units do not function as disparate units but rather as coordinated parts of an entire Cancer Services Collaborative Improvement partnership [www.modern.nhs.uk, n.d.]. The Endoscopy team at NHS currently consists of two National Endoscopy Managers (Liz Allen and Debbie Johnston), Associate Director Patricia Morris, Vikesh Tailor, Information Analyst, Communications Officer Claire Jones, Roland Valeri– National Clinical lead, Team Pa Andrew Kirk-Granger and Azher Mirza. The team which was originally a National booking team now coordinates with other units such as Radiology in the formation of a cancer coordinated services unit. It works with the following organizations: Department of Health (DH), the Cancer Action Team, the MA’s Radiology Service Improvement Team and the Workforce Development Confederation. [www.modern. nhs.uk., n.d.]. Two Endoscopy Managers have been retained in order to effectively coordinate all the SGA clinical leads and the role of this national team is to effectively modernise endoscopy services throughout the nation. Professional practice: The importance of clinical experience in invaluable in the field of nursing. The development of medical knowledge is not merely the result of education, it must be supplemented by experience in order to become truly functional in a practical sense. According to Dr. Benner (1984), knowledge and skills in nursing practice can be acquired without ever learning the theoretical aspects, although a sound educational base is undoubtedly an asset. She describes nurses as passing through five stages in their development from novices into skilled professionals (a) novice (b) advanced beginner (c) competent (d) proficient and (e) expert. While novices tend to get bogged down in technical details, experts maintain a clear link with the overall picture as far as the patient’s vital signs and condition is concerned. While the novice sees patient care as a series of several unrelated tasks and is overly concerned with technical diagnosis and treatment of the problem, an expert nurse has an overall concept that helps her to monitor all the subtle signs of a worsening or improving condition in the patient. [Dracup and Bryan-Brown, 2004] Through the experience a nurse has gained and her ability to assess the entire picture, she is able to effectively perform her duties without undue risks to the patient or unnecessary panic in an emergency. This cool, calm attitude is what distinguishes an expert from a novice and such expertise can often be attained purely through sustained clinical practice. While educational enhancement will no doubt boost the professional competency of a clinically practicing nurse who can also continue her work without the benefit of theoretical knowledge, the reverse does not hold true. A nurse who is solidly grounded in the theory but lacking in clinical practice cannot hope to become an expert without the benefit of clinical practice. Therefore the value of clinical experience cannot be underestimated in the function of a health care practitioner. Efforts have been on to understand that indefinable quality that distinguishes an expert nurse from one who does not display the same proclivity to nursing skill. Some people appear to have an inbuilt ability to respond appropriately to medical crises. It is impossible to teach novice nurses all the myriad complications that could arise in the case of an emergency or indeed, to detail and set out all possible medical situations that could arise and most knowledge and skill in this regard is acquired through years of practical experience.[Dracup and Bryan-Brown, 2004]. Hence, the most effective method that has been found to be useful in training nurses is to enable them to work in clinical situations with the assistance of a mentor. A qualified professional who has had the benefit of experience and practice on the job is able to guide a nurse and acquaint her with the practical day to day complexities that arise in the clinical setting, requiring a skilled response. Novice nurses are faced with a variety of situations every day that they are unfamiliar with [Dracup and Byran-Brown, 2004] and have to learn to cope with the complexities of the real life clinical situation. This knowledge and skill is gained only through sustained practice and the novice evolves into an advanced beginner and on to subsequent stages as she gains more and more experience. The issues of stereotyping: Recognizing the value of professional experience in a clinical setting has played an integral part in the recent decisions of the NHS to retain older nurses above the age of 50 in the nursing profession. Studies conducted on older nurses have revealed the prejudices that exist against nurses on issues such as ethnicity, illness or disability in denying them equal opportunities.[Manthrope, 2003]. The stereotyping of nurse capabilities that is done based upon the factors mentioned above have often resulted in the loss of services of a valuable part of the work force in a tightening labor market. In the field of nursing in particular, the value of qualified, experienced professionals cannot be underestimated and their lack of theoretical knowledge is not a bar on their effective nursing skills in a clinical setting. Therefore, exercising prejudice against nurses due to factors such as age or lack of theoretical knowledge appears unjustified. The disparities in pay scales for nurses depending upon factors such as age, gender and ethnicity also function as a deterrent to the retaining of skilled talent in the field of nursing. In a field where there must be a premium placed on experience, the existing stereotypes only serve to deprive the nursing field of skilled talent which could serve the needs of an ailing public. Recognizing the value of experience, the NHS has initiated research into ageing and a reassessment of its recruiting and employment policies.[www.nhsemployers.job, n.d.]. The goal is to devise measures and standards to measure the capability of older nurses with a view to retaining them in the profession for as long as they are able to perform their job. Conclusions: The field of endoscopy is merely one example of the ever widening sphere of medical research, diagnostic and treatment tools. The area of cancer research and treatment is one that is developing on a continuous basis and increasing need is being felt to coordinate services in order to cater to the multi-faceted needs of the cancer patients at various stages of the disease. The role of the health care practitioner is a changing one within this context. Traditional roles that were assigned to nurses no longer hold valid. The value of clinical experience is increasingly proving its significance in treatment of cancer patients. From this perspective, a nursing graduate strong on theory but lacking in clinical experience would be at a considerable advantage as compared to a retired nurse who may not have had the benefit of a theoretical education but possesses invaluable skills in the field of clinical practice. Nursing which was once a specialized field, has evolved, so that the role of the nurse has moved beyond mere therapeutical treatment to the need for knowledge on diagnostic and treatment tools, the need for public relations and the ability to reassure patients and relieve the anxiety of their family members. The clinical and diagnostic branches of medicine are increasingly being brought together in a unified treatment approach, especially where cancer is concerned. Therefore, the recent moves of the NHS to introduce coordination between the various medical teams is a move that will be welcomed by cancer patients and their families. This move provides for a nation wide, coordinated approach in the use of endoscopy services and ensure their maximum and effective utilization. Patients can now be scheduled quickly and effectively, at a location of their choice and coordination with radiology means that diagnosis can be made more accurately. The inter relation of the various interdisciplinary teams will reduce redundancy in operations of the individual departments and help to foster a coordinated approach to diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The move to retain older, more experienced nurses is also likely to improve the professionalism in the nursing arena and provide young nursing graduates with valuable mentors to monitor and assist in their growth as professionals. I personally feel that the accurate diagnosis and early treatment of cancer are vital. Therefore, optimizing the use of endoscopy, retaining experienced professionals and improving inter disciplinary cooperation is likely to be of enormous benefit to patients. WORKS CITED: 1. Benner P.(1984). From Novice to Expert: Excellence and Power in Clinical Nursing Practice. Addison- Wesley. Menlo Park, Calfornia. 2. Dracup, Kathleen and Bryan-Brown, Christopher W. (2004). From novice to expert to mentor: Shaping the Future. American Journal of Critical Care. Retrieved July 12, 2005 from URL: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NUB/is_6_13/ai_n6366686 3. Endoscopy: An Introduction: Retrieved July 12, 2005 from URL: www.modern.nhs.uk/endoscopy 4. FAQs and Endoscopy case studies. (No Date). Retrieved July 12, 2005 from URL: www.modern.nhs.uk/endoscopy 5. Lipp, Allison.(2003). Liberating clinical effectiveness: A model for consideration. Contemporary Nurse, 2003, 15 (1-2). Retrieved July 12, 2005 from URL: http://www.contemporarynurse.com/15.1/15-1p70.htm 6. Manthrope, Jill. (2003). In my experience, what value is placed on older nurses in the NHS? Nursing Older People. Retrieved July 12, 2005 from URL: http://static.highbeam.com/n/nursingolderpeople/october012003/inmyexperiencewhatvalueisplacedonoldernursesinthen/ 7. Evidence based practice from research.(No Date). Retrieved July 12, 2005 from URL: http://www.nhsemployers.org/EmployerExcellence/evidence_based_practice.asp 8. Porter, Helen. (No Date). New roles offer opportunities in the U.K. Retrieved July 12, 2005 from URL: http://www.isncc.org/lists.asp?Table=News&Page=UKRoles Read More