NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 2 Interview Of Health Care Professional

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 5003 Health Assessment and Promotion for Disease Prevention in Population-Focused Health

Prof. Name

Date

Interview of Healthcare Professional

Hypertension is among the most important health issues in Arkansas, mainly affecting specific population groups; high blood pressure is such an issue. I interviewed Ryan Eagle, a healthcare leader majoring in chronic disease management in Arkansas. This overview discusses the efforts of Mr. Eagle’s organisation in managing hypertension, what strategies align with the National CLAS (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) Standards, and the strengths and weaknesses of these strategies. Demographic trends within Arkansas, including the prevalence and specific populations that suffer from the ailment, are also discussed.

Strategies Implemented by the Organization

Mr. Eagle’s organisation has implemented various strategies to tackle hypertension in Arkansas, targeting under-served and vulnerable populations. According to the National CLAS Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services, the clinical and broader social determinants of health are addressed with a keen interest in improving the outcomes for diverse communities (Chaturvedi et al., 2023).

Community-Based Screening Programs

The organisation deploys mobile health units equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, such as automated blood pressure monitors integrated with electronic health records, to enhance early detection and reduce the burden of hypertension. These mobile units regularly visit underserved areas, especially in rural and economically disadvantaged communities, to screen individuals for hypertension (Idris et al., 2024).

This way, community settings allow the program to access health services promptly since barriers associated with healthcare have been removed. It relates to CLAS Standard 5, which emphasises that the approach to effective communication is in a way that is culturally and linguistically appropriate. Electronic health records that ensure proper tracking and monitoring enhance CLAS Standard 6, which advocates for using technology to provide effective care (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2023).

Culturally Tailored Health Education

The organisation delivers workshops in health education and translates its educational materials into many languages, including English and Spanish, to reach populations more effectively. These emphasise lifestyles, including healthy diet habits, increased physical activity, and stress management, which are relevant for managing hypertension (Bantham et al., 2020). The educational program is culturally relevant because it incorporates traditional foods during dietary advice to encourage healthier preparation and consumption of foodstuffs. This aligns with CLAS Standard 4, which focuses on ensuring that services delivered are culturally competent to meet the special needs of patients from different backgrounds (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2023). Customising educational materials to cultural backgrounds enhances patient engagement and adherence to a treatment plan, leading to better health outcomes in various communities.

Collaboration with Local Organizations

Through its partnership with community centres, faith-based organisations, and leaders, the organisation has engaged the populations that fear engaging with the regular healthcare system in building trust and fostering outreach. It, therefore, creates an avenue for continuous feedback whereby the organisation can constantly change and improve its programs to meet the community’s needs (Melodie Yunju Song et al., 2024). This is by CLAS Standard 13, which emphasises the involvement of the community and local organisations in partnership to ensure that health services are responsive to the population’s needs (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2023). The program can reach underserved populations through close collaboration with community leaders and organisations, thus creating a strong support network for hypertension management.

Technology Integration

Telehealth platforms such as Omron Connect and Teladoc Health facilitate continuous blood pressure monitoring, especially for rural populations with limited access to healthcare facilities. These platforms enable patients to report their daily blood pressure readings remotely and receive real-time feedback from healthcare providers (Chandrakar, 2024). This technological integration enables effective management of hypertension because it encourages treatment adherence and maintains patient engagement with their care team. Telehealth application is consistent with CLAS Standard 5, which promotes the use of technology to facilitate communication and enhance access to care, and Standard 6, which supports integrating technology to promote patient engagement (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2023).

Benefits of Meeting the National CLAS Standards

Meeting the National CLAS (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) Standards benefits healthcare organisations that aim to treat diverse populations with health conditions, including those diagnosed with hypertension in Arkansas. According to healthcare leader Ryan Eagle, such standards help promote health equity by making healthcare accessible, fair, and culturally and linguistically responsive to different communities. This is especially crucial in Arkansas, where underserved populations, such as rural residents and African Americans, are more likely to suffer from hypertension (Lackland, 2019). Making sure that care is culturally appropriate removes barriers to access and improves patient outcomes through greater engagement and adherence to treatment.

The CLAS standards also improve communication and provide trust between healthcare service providers and patients. This effective communication, through services such as interpretation and translations of materials, ensures patients understand their hypertension diagnosis and treatment options. This consequently increases patient satisfaction and, therefore, increases the likelihood of observing prescribed health regimens, resulting in better management of hypertension (Pereira et al., 2024). The reason why healthcare providers have to rely on patients who feel a little scared of accessing healthcare due to cultural and linguistic reasons is trust in healthcare providers.

This support for improving health outcomes leads to community partnerships in developing the standards, which is necessary to achieve healthcare access by the limited access populations. Such partnerships with local organisations and leaders can help deliver culturally appropriate education and resources to these underserved communities (Handtke et al., 2020). In Arkansas, such partnerships expand hypertension prevention programs to patients in more rural and economically disadvantaged parts of the state who receive timely screenings and care.

Strengths in Addressing the National CLAS Standards

Ryan Eagle said that the organisations in his practice have very important strengths in addressing National CLAS Standards, specifically in clinical prevention, population health, and health disparities among diverse and vulnerable populations. Some key strengths in this area involve culturally tailored health education and community engagement by the organisation. The organisation ensures that educational materials and workshops are linguistically appropriate and culturally relevant, which helps bridge the communication gap and fosters trust between healthcare providers and underserved communities (Handtke et al., 2020). This cultural competency enhances participation in health programs, particularly among African American and rural populations who experience higher rates of hypertension. The organisation’s collaborations with local leaders and faith-based organisations further strengthen community trust, encouraging more people to engage in prevention and treatment programs.

The other strength is using mobile health units and telehealth platforms, which have been instrumental in achieving this milestone. Mobile units ensure that on-site blood pressure screenings and health education occur to identify people who may not have access to care and connect them to such resources. Telehealth tools, such as applications to monitor blood pressure, enable patients to receive continuous care and feedback remotely, thereby aiding individuals with limited transportation (Idris et al., 2024). This consideration in terms of accessibility while leveraging technology aligns well with the CLAS Standards in that healthcare services are provided equitably and effectively to the vulnerable populations within this context.

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 2 Interview Of Health Care Professional

However, data gaps can help identify issues better and strengthen the organisation’s approach. While the organisation tracks blood pressure control metrics and patient satisfaction, more detailed data on social determinants of health will provide a clearer picture of the barriers to hypertension in vulnerable populations. For instance, understanding how food insecurity, unstable housing, and lack of access to transportation influence hypertension management may help the organisation develop more holistic, tailored interventions (Bantham et al., 2020). Gathering and analysing this type of data can lead to more targeted solutions, improving the overall effectiveness of the programs and addressing the root causes of health disparities.

Challenges in Addressing the National CLAS Standards

Several challenges Ryan Eagle faced in his organisation concerned the National CLAS Standards, particularly clinical prevention, population health, and health disparities in diverse and vulnerable populations. The first and most significant challenge is a lack of resources. Because of limited funding and limited staffing, it is impossible to expand programs that are targeted toward rural and underserved communities, which tend to be at higher risk for hypertension. This challenge is even more acute in poor regions with inaccessible healthcare services (Coombs et al., 2022). Therefore, preventive programs such as screenings and educational initiatives are hard to scale.

Another challenge is the behavioural and cultural barriers that impede successful hypertension management. For many, lifestyle changes, such as dietary habit modification or increased physical activity, are challenging because of long-standing cultural norms and limited understanding of risks related to hypertension. These barriers are particularly prevalent in rural and African American communities, which have a higher prevalence of hypertension (Lackland, 2019). While culturally relevant health education is a key strategy, overcoming these deeply ingrained behaviours requires sustained efforts and may take longer to achieve meaningful change.

Furthermore, data collection and information gaps hinder a more comprehensive understanding of these populations’ challenges. For instance, while the organisation monitors blood pressure control metrics and patient satisfaction surveys, more detailed data on social determinants of health, such as access to nutritious food, housing stability, and transportation, may offer deeper insights into the root causes of hypertension in vulnerable groups (Chaturvedi et al., 2023). Without this more nuanced data, it is difficult to tailor interventions that address the full spectrum of factors influencing hypertension, which may limit the effectiveness of current programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ryan Eagle describes how his organisation addresses hypotension in underinsured Arkansas. His agency implements strategies such as screenings at community events, education approaches that are culturally specific to each community, and a focus on telehealth-based interventions to improve care delivery. However, several difficulties plague the process, such as the lack of funds for programs, cultural gaps within data collection, and the availability of data on areas including housing and food insecurity, which may have improved the outcome of their program. While the organisation has made progress, much must be done to defeat these challenges and distribute care equitably.

References

Bantham, A., Taverno Ross, S. E., Sebastião, E., & Hall, G. (2020). Overcoming barriers to physical activity in underserved populations. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 64(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2020.11.002 

Chandrakar, M. (2024). Telehealth and digital tools enhancing healthcare access in rural systems. Discover Public Health, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-024-00271-1 

Chaturvedi, A., Zhu, A., Gadela, N. V., Prabhakaran, D., & Jafar, T. H. (2023). Social determinants of health and disparities in hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension, 81(3). https://doi.org/10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.21354 

Coombs, N. C., Campbell, D. G., & Caringi, J. (2022). A qualitative study of rural healthcare providers’ views of social, cultural, and programmatic barriers to healthcare access. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07829-2 

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 2 Interview Of Health Care Professional

Handtke, O., Schilgen, B., & Mösko, M. (2020). Culturally competent healthcare: A scoping review of strategies implemented in healthcare organisations and a culturally competent healthcare provision model. PLOS ONE, 14(7), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219971 

Idris, H., Nugraheni, W. P., Rachmawati, T., Kusnali, A., Yulianti, A., Purwatiningsih, Y., Nuraini, S., Susianti, N., Faisal, D. R., Arifin, H., & Maharani, A. (2024). How is telehealth currently being utilised to help in hypertension management within primary healthcare settings? A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(1), 90. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010090 

Lackland, D. T. (2019). Racial differences in hypertension: Implications for high blood pressure management. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences, 348(2), 135–138. https://doi.org/10.1097/maj.0000000000000308 

Melodie Yunju Song, Denessia Blake-Hepburn, Karbasi, A., Fadel, S. A., Allin, S., Anushka Ataullahjan, & Erica Di Ruggiero. (2024). Public health partnerships with faith-based organisations to support vaccination uptake among minoritised communities: A scoping review. PLOS Global Public Health, 4(6), e0002765–e0002765. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0002765

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 2 Interview Of Health Care Professional

Pereira, A., Raiza Trombini, Barbalho, Y., Stival, M., Lima, L., Zandonadi, R., Verônica Ginani, Dusi, R., & Funghetto, S. S. (2024). strategies for effective communication in hypertension management: Validation of messages from a mobile application to assist hypertensive older adults in adherence to treatment, nutrition and physical activity. Nutrients, 16(24), 4284–4284. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16244284 

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2023). CLAS standards. Think Cultural Health. https://thinkculturalhealth.hhs.gov/clas/standards