Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX4905 Capstone Project for Nursing
Prof. Name
Date
The practicum at The Longevity Center provides an immersive opportunity to engage with integrative and regenerative medicine practices, emphasizing natural treatments and patient-centered care. The primary aim of the practicum is to develop practical skills while deepening understanding of innovative therapies for chronic conditions. This involves hands-on participation in clinical decision-making and learning processes. This assessment examines the practicum setting, the clinical and operational decision-making processes, and identifies a key process problem that affects diagnosis and outcomes in regenerative medicine.
The practicum takes place at The Longevity Center, a specialized clinic integrating traditional medical practices with modern alternative treatment modalities. The center is dedicated to delivering patient-centered care while utilizing regenerative medicine to promote optimal wellness. Its patient population is diverse, including individuals seeking preventive and anti-aging interventions and patients with chronic conditions utilizing regenerative recovery methods. This diversity facilitates comprehensive learning across a spectrum of health and disease (The Longevity Center, 2024a).
The clinical team comprises three full-time healthcare professionals who operate in a highly collaborative manner. Treatment decisions are individualized, focusing on tailored care plans, therapy troubleshooting, and long-term patient management. As a practicum participant, I actively engage in these clinical and operational decisions, contributing to patient care strategies. The Longevity Center also fosters a culture of learning through podcasts, literature, and experiential clinical education, promoting professional development, critical thinking, and holistic patient care (The Longevity Center, 2024a).
Clinical and operational decisions are central to daily practice. Key clinical decisions include selecting regenerative therapies, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or stem cell injections, determining treatment timing and dosage, and evaluating patient eligibility based on thorough diagnostics, including the Longevity blood panel (The Longevity Center, 2024b). Operational decisions involve scheduling procedures, managing patient flow, maintaining accurate documentation, and ensuring adequate stocks of biological materials and equipment.
Observing and participating in these decisions provides invaluable insight into clinical processes. For example, reviewing lab results to adjust PRP or stem cell treatments or interpreting ultrasound cues to modify injection techniques demonstrates hands-on problem-solving (Majewska et al., 2025). Patient outcomes from such decisions often include reduced inflammation, accelerated tissue repair, improved joint and muscle function, and overall enhanced quality of life. Follow-up assessments, pain scoring, range-of-motion testing, and patient satisfaction surveys monitor these outcomes (The Longevity Center, 2024a). The integrative philosophy of the clinic ensures that decisions are evidence-informed and tailored to each patient, fostering long-term wellness and recovery.
A significant process problem at The Longevity Center is the slow and inconsistent identification of complex conditions, especially in patients with chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, or fatigue syndromes. Unlike conventional treatment centers that follow standardized diagnostic approaches, regenerative medicine often receives patients without clear diagnoses, many of whom have previously experienced limited success in conventional healthcare.
The root causes of this diagnostic gap include conventional models that focus on symptom management rather than identifying underlying causes (Dutra et al., 2025). Patients often face inadequate lab assessments or are prescribed temporary treatments without long-term efficacy. For instance, a patient with chronic joint pain may receive pain medication or surgical recommendations without being offered regenerative therapies like PRP, which can restore tissue function effectively.
At The Longevity Center, the diagnostic process is slow, requiring personnel to repeat initial assessments, despite the availability of blood panels and regenerative tests. Delays in diagnosis can prolong patient suffering, functional loss, and psychological distress, and may erode trust in the healthcare system. According to Slawomirski et al. (2025), misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis in OECD countries result in a 17.5% loss of healthcare expenditures, equating to 1.8% of GDP. Simplifying the diagnostic process is crucial to enhance timely treatment, reduce chronic pain, and optimize patient outcomes.
The diagnostic delays at The Longevity Center affect quality, safety, and cost from both organizational and patient perspectives. Absence of standardized diagnostic protocols can delay the initiation of appropriate therapies, potentially reducing the effectiveness of regenerative treatments (Popescu et al., 2021). Patients may experience dissatisfaction, ongoing physical limitations, and diminished confidence in their care. Safety concerns arise as prolonged or incorrect diagnoses can lead to chronic inflammation, autoimmune dysfunction, or tissue damage, increasing the risk of more invasive future interventions.
Financially, these delays strain both the clinic and patients. The clinic invests extra resources in reassessment, comprehensive history reviews, and individualized care planning, while patients face higher costs due to repeated procedures and extended treatment durations. Regenerative therapies like PRP range from \$175–\$4,973 (avg. \$707–\$1,797), and BMA/BMC treatments average \$3,688–\$4,379, highlighting significant price variation (Charnoff et al., 2022).
| Aspect | Observed Challenge | Consequences | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Delayed initiation of appropriate therapy | Reduced efficacy of regenerative treatment, patient dissatisfaction | Popescu et al., 2021 |
| Safety | Late or incorrect diagnosis | Chronic inflammation, autoimmune dysfunction, tissue damage | Kvarnström et al., 2021 |
| Cost | Reassessment, repeated diagnostics, extended treatment | Increased financial burden for patients and clinic | Charnoff et al., 2022; Slawomirski et al., 2025 |
The intake data at The Longevity Center shows that approximately 60–70% of new patients arrive after failing traditional care, often frustrated by months or years of unresolved symptoms. Streamlining the intake and diagnostic process is essential to improve care quality, enhance safety, and reduce costs for both patients and the clinic (The Longevity Center, 2024a).
The practicum experience at The Longevity Center provides valuable insights into regenerative healthcare. While the center excels in delivering individualized, minimally invasive treatments, diagnostic delays represent a critical process problem. Addressing this issue is essential for improving patient outcomes, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Streamlining diagnostic procedures will enhance timely care, improve patient satisfaction, and enable the clinic to fulfill its mission of promoting long-term wellness through advanced, natural interventions.
Charnoff, J., Rothman, R., Andres Bergos, J., Rodeo, S., Casey, E., & Cheng, J. (2022). Variability in patient-incurred costs and protocols of regenerative medicine procedures for musculoskeletal conditions in the United States. HSS Journal®: The Musculoskeletal Journal of Hospital for Special Surgery, 19(1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/15563316221105880
Dutra, S., Reigado, G. R., Santos, M., Sardinha, D., Hernandes, S., Marchi, B. L., Zhivov, E., Chambergo, F. S., & Nunes, V. A. (2025). Advances in regenerative medicine-based approaches for skin regeneration and rejuvenation. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1527854
Kvarnström, K., Westerholm, A., Airaksinen, M., & Liira, H. (2021). Factors contributing to medication adherence in patients with a chronic condition: A scoping review of qualitative research. Pharmaceutics, 13(7), 1100. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13071100
Majewska, L., Kijowski, J., & Dorosz, K. (2025). Effect of patient age on Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and fibrin treatments for skin density and thickness: A single-center ultrasound study. Life, 15(2), 308–308. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020308
Popescu, M. N., Iliescu, M. G., Beiu, C., Popa, L. G., Mihai, M. M., Berteanu, & Ionescu, A. M. (2021). Autologous platelet-rich plasma efficacy in the field of regenerative medicine: Product and quality control. BioMed Research International, 2021, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4672959
Slawomirski, L., Kelly, D., de Bienassis, K., Kallas, K.-A., & Klazinga, N. (2025). The economics of diagnostic safety. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Health Working Papers. https://doi.org/10.1787/fc61057a-en
The Longevity Center. (2024a). Integrative and regenerative treatments. The Longevity Center FL – Nurturing Health at Its Source. https://www.thelcfl.com/
The Longevity Center. (2024b). PRP Injections. The Longevity Center FL – Nurturing Health at Its Source. https://www.thelcfl.com/our-services/regenerative-therapies/prp-injections/
