Utilize the approved DNP project topic to complete a gap and SWOT analysis.
ANSWER
Step 1: Determine the Present Situation/Problem
The present state/problem for the DNP project subject is poor chronic pain treatment in older persons with comorbidities, which leads to poor health outcomes, lower quality of life, and higher healthcare expenses. This issue has been present for some time and is a significant public health concern. Utilize the approved DNP project topic to complete a gap and SWOT analysis.
Step 2: Define and Determine Best Practices
A comprehensive strategy for treating chronic pain in older persons with comorbidities includes:
Multimodal and multidisciplinary care.
Customized treatment strategies.
Frequent evaluation and monitoring of pain and associated outcomes.
The 2019 Updated Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults from the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guideline for Prescribing Opioids Chronic Pain provide evidence-based recommendations for managing chronic pain in older adults with comorbidities.
Step 3: Collect Information
Patient records, prescription lists, interviews with healthcare practitioners, and organizational rules and procedures were used to collect data. The gap analysis found that chronic pain in older persons with comorbidities is inadequately assessed and managed. Patients are often subjected to suboptimal pain evaluation and management, including an overreliance on opioids as first-line therapy. Healthcare practitioners lack pain management knowledge and abilities, and communication hurdles exist between healthcare providers and between healthcare providers and patients. The rules and practices of the company do not promote comprehensive and multidisciplinary pain treatment.
Step 4: Measure and compare
Recommended Practices
Pain therapy that is comprehensive and multidisciplinary
Plans for multimodal therapy
Pain and associated consequences must be reassessed and monitored regularly.
Best Practice Methodologies
Patient education is essential.
Collaboration among interdisciplinary teams
Medication administration
Interventions that are not pharmacological
What are the differences between project site practices and best practices?
Overdependence on opioids
Poor measurement and monitoring of pain and its consequences
Insufficient patient education Barriers to optimal practice implementation Lack of multidisciplinary team cooperation. Utilize the approved DNP project topic to complete a gap and SWOT analysis.
a lack of pain management knowledge and abilities
Communication obstacles exist between healthcare practitioners and healthcare providers, and patients.
Policies and practices inside organizations do not support comprehensive and multidisciplinary pain treatment.
Step 5: Do a SWOT analysis.
Strengths
Access to a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals
A strong dedication to patient-centered treatment
Existing patient education initiatives
Patient data and computerized medical records are accessible.
Weaknesses
Healthcare practitioners need to gain more knowledge and abilities in pain management.
Communication obstacles exist between healthcare practitioners and healthcare providers, and patients.
Insufficient organizational policies and processes to promote multidisciplinary pain treatment
More resources and funds must be needed to facilitate the adoption of best practices.
Opportunities
Partnership with community resources and organizations to improve patient education and support for chronic pain self-management
Telehealth and other technologies are being used to enhance communication and access to care.
Advocating for legislative reforms and financial possibilities to enhance multidisciplinary pain management
Threats
Changes in regulations that restrict access to pain management resources
Economic issues that hinder financing prospects for multidisciplinary pain treatment
Demographic changes may influence the demand for pain management treatments. Utilize the approved DNP project topic to complete a gap and SWOT analysis.
List of References
AGS stands for the American Geriatrics Society (2019). Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Pharmaceutical Usage in Older People have been updated. The American Geriatrics Society Journal, 67(4), 674-694.
The CDC stands for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016). Opioid Prescription Guidelines for Chronic Pain. Obtainable at https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/Guidelines Factsheet-a.pdf.
QUESTION
DNP Project I: SWOT Analysis Assignment
Utilize the approved DNP project topic to complete a gap and SWOT analysis. This activity will assist in the development of the DNP Project Proposal throughout the course.
A gap analysis is a process where an organization compares its current practice to practice expectations or goals (e.g., benchmarks) (Leonard & Bottorff, 2022). The purpose is “to identify discrepancies between known benchmarks for efficient and effective health care delivery and practice with the real-world conditions” (Davis-Ajami et al., 2014, p. 18). A gap analysis answers the questions:
1. Where is the organization now?
2. Where does the organization want to be?
3. What can be done to close the gap?
The gap analysis will guide the aims, objectives, and interventions for the DNP scholarly project. It is completed in 5 steps, the last of which is a SWOT analysis.
Step 1: Identify the Current State/Problem
Identify the current state. What is the problem/clinical question for the project topic? Is this a new problem (a few months) or has it been ongoing for a while? Briefly describe your findings below.
Step 2: Identify and Define Best Practice
Identify and define the desired state and the best practice needed to reach the desired state through a comprehensive literature review. Evidence must include a least one (1) national guideline, evidence-based protocol, or regulatory standard. Briefly describe the desired state and best practice needed below. Cite sources of best practice.
Step 3: Gather Data
Gather data at the project site to figure out the nature of the gap. Ask questions of everyone involved, at all levels. What do people notice day to day surrounding the problem? Which team members play a role? Review documentation and organizational policies and procedures–do they contribute to the problem? What are the barriers to best practice implementation? Create field notes for use in Step 4.
Step 4: Measure and Benchmark
Complete the Table below, based on the data collected at the site in Step 3 and best practice evidence from Step 2. See examples from the presentation.
Best Practices
Best Practice Strategies
How do project site practices differ from best practices?
Barriers to best practice implementation
Step 5: SWOT Analysis
A SWOT analysis is used to evaluate the internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats to the project. A SWOT analysis provides a broad view of the current situation and risks to the project, which can be anticipated and mitigated when developing project objectives and interventions (Moran et al., 2020, pp. 129-130).
Strengths and weaknesses refer to internal resources readily available for the project, such as financial, physical, and human resources, and current processes. Opportunities and threats refer to external factors that can impact the project, such as economic trends, funding, demographics, relationships with partners/communities, and political and economic regulations.
Complete the Table below, based on the information gathered through the gap analysis process (Steps 1-4). See examples from the presentation.
Strengths
What does the organization do well?
What organizational resources exist to support the project?
Weaknesses
What can the organization improve upon?
What organizational resources are lacking that would be necessary to support the project?
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Opportunities
What opportunities are available for the project?
How can strengths be turned into opportunities?
Threats
What threats could harm the project?
What threats do the weaknesses expose?
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Reference List
Minimum 10 references, must include at least one (1) national guideline, evidence-based protocol, or regulatory standard.