NAN-HG-4
Collaboration
By Omowunmi Alake/Esenvosa Izah
Lagos, Sept. 27, 2016 (NAN) An Associate Professor of Nursing, Dr Florence Adeyemo, on Tuesday called for improved inter-professional collaboration to enhance the nation’s healthcare delivery.
Adeyemo made the call at a seminar organised by the West African College of Nursing (WACN) in Lagos.
Theme of the seminar is: “Advancing Nursing and Healthcare: The Emerging Possibilities.’’
According to her, a good working relationship between physicians and nurses is a critical factor toward improving better patients’ outcomes and more efficient use of resources.
“Nurses are in the position to coordinate care among the various healthcare providers across various healthcare settings.
“This will assist in developing well-functioning team as delivery care is becoming complex, with different professional perspectives in training and philosophy.
“It becomes more beneficial if the different healthcare providers can collaborate in the care of patients from their professional perspectives,’’ Adeyemo said.
She also said that achieving significant growth in community health services would require widely accessible and sustainable healthcare system.
“For decades, the focus of the Nigerian healthcare system has been on curative services in spite of the introduction of primary healthcare, which predominantly focuses on treating acute illnesses, communicable diseases and injuries.
“It is pertinent to note that acute illnesses and injuries will never disappear, because most healthcare problems facing the nation today relate to chronic conditions such as mental health and diabetes.
“Another problem is health disparities which are inequities in the burden of diseases, injuries, or deaths experienced by socially disadvantaged groups.
“Advancing healthcare coupled with the changing economics and general changes in the workforce call for reforms of the healthcare systems.
“Stakeholders need to focus on community setting and provide integrated and effective services for the patients’ need,’’ the expert said.
Adeyemo said there was need for patient-centered care built on the principle that individuals should be the final arbiters in deciding the type of treatment and care they received.
According to her, studies have shown that involving patients more directly in the management of their own condition results in significant improvement in health outcomes.
“The current practice in our healthcare organisations is that healthcare service is usually organised around what is most convenient for the providers and not for the patients.
“Patients are given appointments to fit the needs of the system.
“If primary care is introduced into our healthcare system, the needed information, counselling, education and coaching to help patients make informed decisions will be given sufficient attention,’’ she said.
Also, the Executive Secretary of WACN, Mrs Henrietta Okedo, urged nurses to focus on new technologies in healthcare education and service in Nigeria.
“It is necessary for nurses to be up to date with new technological innovations that will enhance their service delivery methods.
“There is need for senior nurses to be involved in the planning and implementation of new healthcare technology to ensure that it is appropriate and practical for frontline workers,’’ Okedo advised. (NAN)
AOI/EEI/VIV/GOK
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(Edited by Vivian Ihechu/controlled by Olagoke Olatoye)