Learning Goal: I’m working on a nursing discussion question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.
Discussion Prompt
Healthy People 2030 identifies objectives related to exercise and fitness. Identify ways the nurse practitioner can promote healthy lifestyles and improved exercise compliance of their patients. What technologies are available that can assist patients and providers?
Expectations
- Length: A minimum of 180 words, not including references
- Citations: At least one high-level scholarly reference in APA from within the last 5 years
The Healthy People 2030 (HP 2030) objective focuses on health promotion and disease prevention with physical exercise, aerobic, and muscle-strengthening activity. This is a drastic change from the Healthy people 2020 initiative of a responsive approach to healthcare. According to HP 2030 framework, 80% of adults do not meet the recommended guidelines for muscle-strengthening and aerobic exercises (Stonerock & Blumenthal, 2017). HP 2030 of physical activity supports the science that regular exercise activity has shown increased health benefits. NPs should encourage patients and the communities to change their health behaviors. The need to engage in small, regular, physical exercise routines helps to reduce or even decrease the development of certain chronic diseases. These illnesses include obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, mental health problems, musculoskeletal conditions, and some cancers, to name a few (Varcarolis et al., 2020).
NP can advocate for healthy lifestyle modification by offering behavioral counselling to patients. According to Stonerock & Blumenthal (2017), a transtheoretical model of behavioral change can be utilized in understanding and treating unhealthy behaviors. This model comprises of five stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. The model is used by the providers to assess patient’s readiness and identifies barriers to compliance. Adherence to exercise activities can be affected by many factors, such as, patient’s belief system, low health literacy, psychological, emotional, financial, and the understanding of behavior changes (Varcarolis et al., 2020). NPs should actively listen and be non-judgmental in asking questions regarding the patient’s perception, compliance, and commitment to fitness and exercise programs. Stonerock et al., (2017) states that this approach aims to help guide a conversation about change and activate patients’ intrinsic motivation (p. 460).
Many apps can be used to track exercise and fitness compliance. NPs can utilize telehealth for behavioral counseling, which can lead to a healthy lifestyle modification and improved compliance with exercise and fitness activities. The cellphone apps can track daily steps, stress level, and distance walked.
References
Stonerock, G., L., & Blumenthal, J. A. (2017). Role of counseling to promote adherence in healthy lifestyle medicine: strategies to improve exercise adherence and enhance physical activity. Progress in cardiovascular disease, 59(5), 455-462. Doi.
Varcarolis, E. M., & Dixon, C. (2020). Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care, 4e. Published by Elsevier Health Sciences Division. ISBN: 9780323625111
