NURS FPX 9000 Assessment 3: Topic Report with CITI Training

In doctoral-level nursing education, the development of a scholarly topic report is a critical milestone that bridges theoretical knowledge with ethical research practice. NURS FPX 9000 Assessment 3 requires learners to articulate a focused research or quality improvement topic while demonstrating completion and integration of Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training. This assessment emphasizes not only the intellectual rigor of topic development but also the ethical responsibility that underpins all nursing research. By combining a clearly defined topic with CITI certification, the learner affirms a commitment to protecting human subjects Nurs Fpx, maintaining research integrity, and advancing evidence-based practice.

Selection of the Research Topic

The selected topic for this report is: Improving Medication Adherence Among Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Through Nurse-Led Telehealth Interventions. Type 2 diabetes remains one of the most prevalent chronic conditions worldwide and is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Despite advancements in pharmacological therapies, optimal glycemic control often depends on consistent medication adherence, lifestyle modifications, and regular follow-up care. However, many adults struggle with adherence due to factors such as health literacy limitations, financial constraints, complex medication regimens, and limited access to healthcare providers.

Telehealth has emerged as a transformative strategy to improve chronic disease management. Nurse-led telehealth interventions—such as virtual follow-up visits, medication reminders, remote glucose monitoring, and patient education—offer a promising approach to addressing adherence barriers. Nurses play a central role in chronic care coordination, patient education, and therapeutic communication, making them well-positioned to lead such initiatives. The purpose of this topic report is to explore how structured nurse-led telehealth programs can enhance medication adherence and improve glycemic outcomes in adults with Type 2 diabetes.

Problem Statement

Medication non-adherence among adults with Type 2 diabetes contributes to poor glycemic control, increased hospitalizations, preventable complications, and higher healthcare expenditures. Traditional in-person follow-up models may not sufficiently address barriers such as transportation issues, work schedules, or limited provider access. Without innovative care delivery strategies, gaps in chronic disease management persist. Therefore, a structured nurse-led telehealth intervention may provide an accessible NURS FPX 9000 Assessment 3 Topic Report with CITI Training, cost-effective, and patient-centered solution to improve adherence and clinical outcomes.

Purpose and Research Question

The purpose of this project is to examine the effectiveness of nurse-led telehealth interventions in improving medication adherence among adults with Type 2 diabetes in a primary care setting.

The guiding research question is:

In adults with Type 2 diabetes, how does participation in a structured nurse-led telehealth program compared to standard in-person follow-up care affect medication adherence over a 12-week period?

This question aligns with a PICOT framework:

  • P (Population): Adults with Type 2 diabetes

  • I (Intervention): Nurse-led telehealth program

  • C (Comparison): Standard in-person follow-up care

  • O (Outcome): Improved medication adherence

  • T (Time): 12 weeks

Significance to Nursing Practice

The significance of this topic extends beyond improving individual patient outcomes. Chronic disease management is a cornerstone of nursing practice, and innovative strategies that enhance accessibility and engagement are essential in modern healthcare. If nurse-led telehealth interventions demonstrate improved adherence rates, such programs could be implemented widely in primary care and community health settings. This would support nursing leadership in care coordination NURS FPX 8022 Assessment 2 SAFER Guides and Evaluating Technology Usage, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to reduced healthcare disparities.

Additionally, the project supports the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP). By integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences, nurses can design telehealth interventions that are culturally sensitive, technologically appropriate, and responsive to individual needs. The findings could inform institutional policies, quality improvement initiatives, and future doctoral scholarship.

Overview of CITI Training

Completion of CITI training is a fundamental requirement for conducting ethical research involving human subjects. The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) provides standardized education in research ethics, regulatory compliance, and responsible conduct of research. Through this training, researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of federal regulations, institutional review board (IRB) processes, informed consent requirements, and participant protections.

For this assessment, completion of the CITI Human Subjects Research course reinforced several core ethical principles derived from the Belmont Report: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

  • Respect for Persons emphasizes the protection of individual autonomy and the requirement to obtain informed consent. In the context of this telehealth project, participants must be fully informed about the purpose of the intervention, potential risks, data collection procedures, and their right to withdraw without penalty.

  • Beneficence requires researchers to minimize harm and maximize benefits. Although telehealth interventions pose minimal physical risk, potential concerns such as data privacy, technological challenges, and emotional discomfort must be considered and mitigated.

  • Justice ensures equitable selection of participants and fair distribution of the benefits and burdens of research. Recruitment strategies must avoid excluding vulnerable populations or disproportionately targeting disadvantaged groups.

The CITI training modules also addressed data confidentiality, HIPAA compliance, and ethical considerations related to digital communication platforms. Given that this project involves telehealth technology and electronic health information NURS FPX 8006 Assessment 1 Forming an Innovative Healthcare Team, adherence to secure communication protocols and encrypted data systems is essential.

Ethical Considerations in the Proposed Project

Ethical integrity is central to the success of this project. Prior to implementation, approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) would be obtained. The project would likely qualify as minimal risk; however, safeguards must still be rigorously applied.

Informed consent would be obtained electronically or in writing before participation. Participants would receive detailed explanations about how telehealth sessions will be conducted, how their health data will be stored, and who will have access to their information. Data would be de-identified when possible, and secure platforms compliant with healthcare privacy regulations would be used for virtual communication.

Another ethical consideration involves digital equity. Some patients may lack reliable internet access or technological literacy. To uphold the principle of justice, support mechanisms such as technology tutorials or provision of devices (if feasible) should be explored to prevent inequitable participation.

Integration of Scholarly Evidence

Preliminary literature suggests that telehealth interventions can significantly improve chronic disease outcomes. Studies indicate that regular remote monitoring and nurse-led education sessions contribute to improved medication adherence, reduced HbA1c levels, and enhanced patient satisfaction. However, variability exists in program design, duration, and patient engagement strategies. This underscores the importance of a structured, evidence-based telehealth model tailored to the target population.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telehealth adoption, demonstrating its feasibility and acceptability across diverse healthcare settings. Yet, sustained evaluation is needed to determine long-term effectiveness and best practices for nurse-led models.

Expected Outcomes and Implications

If successful, the proposed intervention may lead to measurable improvements in medication adherence scores and glycemic control indicators. Improved adherence can reduce complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. At a systems level NURS FPX 8006 Assessment 4, enhanced chronic disease management may decrease emergency department visits and hospital readmissions.

The broader implications include expanding the scope of advanced nursing practice in telehealth leadership roles. Doctorally prepared nurses are uniquely positioned to design, evaluate, and scale innovative care delivery models that align with national healthcare priorities.