Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Technology-Based Advance Care Planning Education For Primary Care Patients, Taryn Achong

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Advance Care Planning (ACP) encompasses a multidisciplinary, collaborative process that allows patients to understand their health and make informed decisions in their treatment plans. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and recent research, ACP is considered imperative for all patients. Evidence-based approaches include supplemental group sessions, case manager interventions, and provision of at-home resources. Within the pandemic, there has also been a rapid shift to telemedicine, restricting most ACP efforts. Therefore, the utilization of technology-based ACP resources and telemedicine is highly supported.

Purpose: This DNP project serves to assist an internal medicine practice located in Hawaii’s metropolitan area. Although the …

Improving Osteoporosis Screening Rates In A Primary Care Practice, Heidi Doreau

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: Osteoporosis is a prevalent condition that is often overlooked until a fragility fracture occurs. Screening for bone loss with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans is underutilized in the primary care setting. Direct communication with at-risk patients, offering self-referral for DXA screening, has been demonstrated to be the most effective intervention in increasing DXA screening rates.

Purpose: The goal of this DNP project was to improve bone density screening rates in a primary care practice by inviting patients at greatest risk of osteoporosis to schedule a DXA without a provider order.

Methods: After a review of the electronic medical record, …