Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP) have a responsibility to address mental concerns for patients and the outcome helps to measure their effectiveness of their practice. As a member of a health care team, a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner works in various settings to provide mental health services across the patients’ lifetime (Delaney & Vanderhoef, 2019). The PMHNP focuses on developing and implementing advanced health assessments, such as physical examinations and episodic assessments. The PMHNP career prepares graduates for advanced clinical skills and expertise in the management of patients with mental illness. In rural settings, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner works with a community psychiatrist to identify individuals with mental issues and ensure continuity of care to avoid costly psychiatric admissions. The following paper investigates the impact of a psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner’s practice in a rural setting on patient outcomes. Collaboration between the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and the patient, treatment options, impediments to treatment adherence, and ability to function in the community.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner has advanced health assessment skills such as doing screening history and physical exams, as well as episodic evaluations, making early physical diagnoses, and transferring patients to primary care when necessary needed. Advanced clinical skills and knowledge are developed through the effective trainimg of PMHNP. Self-assessment in providing care is the most acceptable source of nursing evaluation, which Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners use to measure their quality of service delivery offered to patients. Positive and enhanced health status for patients with mental issues is an indication that quality and effective services are offered. In this perspective, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners focus at assessing the risk factors that might influence individuals’ mental health.
Active Roles of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The role of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is to work with patients and families to address their with mental illness. PMHNP provides continuity of care, preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and promoting timely intervention for crises (Cusack et al., 2017). The PMHNP works with patients to identify specific problems impacting their quality of life and assists them in developing strategies to deal with these problems.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner works closely with families, community members, and patients to support them throughout the process of recovery. The practitioner promotes acceptance for mental illness and advocates for the patient within the health care system through education, access to resources, lobbying for legislative changes, and supportive counseling (O’Marra et al., 2017). The nurse practitioner provides patients and their families with a sense of hope and encouragement through the difficult times of recovery.
Comprehensive Assessment
A comprehensive assessment is a critical component in promoting nursing outcomes. For patients with depressive symptoms, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner should develop an individual treatment plan according to the patient’s specific needs and strengths (Robinson, 2013). The Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner uses this process to help focus treatment interventions such as pharmacological management and psychotherapy. Using a comprehensive assessment to guide treatment ensures that the plan is responsive to individual needs.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practices outcome in a rural area for an individual with depression identifies indicators of comprehensive assessment including patient’s strengths and resources, identifying most problematic issues, development of functional analysis, and information gathering about barriers to care. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner fully addresses the comprehensive assessment before moving onto the next step of the treatment process. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner can communicate with other multidisciplinary team members to ensure collaborative efforts are made to support patients’ needs through this process.
Collaboration between Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Patient
The level of collaboration between Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse practitioner and patient is a critical factor affecting the psychosocial nursing outcome. Collaboration is “a process that includes shared decision making regarding treatment options” (Sankar et al., 2017). Quality PMHNP practices have positive impacts on patient outcomes. The practices assist the patient in using their problem-solving skills, rather than depending on the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in all decision-making.
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practices outcome in a rural area for an individual with depression implemennts collaboration indicators. The indicators include treatment choices made jointly with patients, sharing information and communicating about goals and expectations, locating resources to meet patient needs, using advocacy to assist the patient with access to resources. Provision of effective services helps to maintain positive relationships between patients and the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner because patients become free in choosing treatment options, actively participating in the decision-making process, and taking on responsibility for their care.
Patient-centered Approach
A patient-centered approach involves focusing on the patient’s needs and expectations while considering the range of available options (Sankar et al., 2017). This method can be complicated when the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner feel limited in resources or lack the confidence to try something new. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ensures that they are prepared with skills and tools that will allow them to address any situation that may arise in challenging or unexpected events.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practices outcome in rural areas for individuals with depression considers indicators of a patient-centered approach, including exploring options with patients, encouraging autonomy to make decisions and collaboration between patient and nurse during all stages of the treatment process. The services provided make the patients feel they are in control of the process, and it allow them to be more aware of their choices. Cooperation between PMHNP and patient is a crucial component when addressing psychosocial nursing issues for individual with depression.
Choice of Treatment Options
The patient is given a choice of medication, dosage and alternative treatment options such as psychotherapy. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner influences patients’ individualized treatment choices by providing accurate information on different treatments and resources to assist patients’ preferences. Involving the patient in deciding their choice of therapy to aid adherence increases the level of satisfaction. The patient receives a better outcome because the treated is done in accordance to choice. Giving the patient choices gives a better reception than using standard treatment options. The number of treatment options available to the patient is essential. One study found that patients with more treatment choices reported better health status, less depression, and fewer side effects (Sankar et al., 2017). Sharing in decision-making about treatment choice can be based on evidence or personal preferences. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practice has a positive impact on the patient outcome as it assists the patient identify the sources of mental health problems.
A Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner practice shares information with the patient about treatment options and medication side effects have a positive impact on the patient outcome by increasing compliance and reducing the number of side effects. The patient feels less dependent and can take some responsibilities for self-management. Sharing information with patients is essential as it builds trust between the patient and carer, leading to improved outcomes (Sankar et al., 2017). It also gives the patient more control over their treatment and empowers them in maintaining healthy mental conditions.
Sharing information with patients can include explaining treatment options, including all medications’ side effects, informing about changes in medications or dosage, and describing what they are used for (Sankar et al., 2017). The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provides detailed information to communicate effectively. Therapeutic communication is essential in cases where there are several treatment options available. However, no single option will work for every case. This is important because lack of treatment can deteriorate symptoms and increase the risk of relapse (Sankar et al., 2017). If a patient refuses to take medication, it may be necessary for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to explore what other options are available and choose the most appropriate.
Treatment options available for patients’ needs will influence how they feel and their perception of the nurse they are working with. When patients are given more information about their treatment, including what it does and how to take it, they often feel more engaged with the care process (Myrick et al., 2017). When the patient receives all their information from a single Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse, they develop a stronger relationship, faith and confidence in treatment. However, this means the patient is solely reliant on one source of information. The belief that more choices on treatment might not be helpful on patients as it reduces compliance should be discouraged. According to Myrick et al.(2017), evidence suggests that patients who are given more treatment options report better health, and reduced side effects.
When several treatment options are available to a patient, including the advantages of each option can be an excellent way to engage patients in the decision-making process (Sankar et al., 2017). The PMHNP must consider the patient’s treatment preferences to increase their involvement in the decision-making process. This can be anything from dietary requirements to the intake of medication.
Ability to Function in the Community
The most common reason for patient admission to psychiatric hospitals is the inability of the individual to function in their environment. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner advocates and supports improved patients’ ability to perform within their own homes and communities as well as ensure zero hospitalization. In this perspective, the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner can provide support and assess barriers that may prevent individuals from adhering to treatment or attending scheduled appointments.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner assists the patient to participate in community support services. This reduces the effect that mental illness has on patients’ function and participation in the community. The practitioner helps in improving individuals’ ability to return to work or seek education needs. The PMHNP help patients gain a sense of control over their lives, encouraging them to maintain their health, manage symptoms and cope with everyday stresses. Patients are encouraged to follow their treatment plan to achieve significant gains in functioning in the community. Patients who are relunctant in following instructions struggle to reintegrate into society.
The impact on patient outcomes is examined in terms of community functionality. This included improved communication, less anxiety and feelings of distress or sadness, improved self-care, improved interpersonal relationships, and increased ability to focus on their interests and goals. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner enhances the patients’ ability to function with less distress. Patients who are more supported by their family and community, obtain best psychosocial outcomes as they collaborate with the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Barriers to Adherence with Treatment
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners can anticipate barriers to patients’ adherence to their treatment which can interfere with patient outcomes. These may include changes in the patient’s environment, motivation, or level of family participation in treatment. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner has the knowledge base to de-escalate aggressive or agitated behavior enabling alternative treatment options. The patients with a positive interaction experiences with the PMHNP, is comfortable in asking questions because they feel like they are listened to and understood by the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Therefore, to encourahe the adherence in treatment, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provides continuous support by remaining available, and accessible throughout recovery process. The following are instances where barriers to treatment adherence occurred:
Patient’s Lack of Access to Treatment
The PMHNP work with patient to enable the access treatment. In this regard, the PMHNP prevent the risk of re-hospitalization for individuals suffering from mental health issues. The PMHNP helps in addressing barriers such as financial difficulties, transportation, and workforce challenges.
Patient’s Inability to Understand Instructions or Advertising on Medication
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provide accurate information regarding different treatments and resources available to assist patients’ choices. As a result, the patient is able to understand their treatment and have a positive experience with their choice of medication.
Patient’s Lack of Autonomy in Making Decisions about Treatments
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner influences patient outcomes by providing accurate information on different therapies and resources to assist inpatient treatment adherence. Involving the patient in deciding their choice of treatment to aid commitment improves the level of satisfaction.
Fear of rejection of stigma associated with mental health issues
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provides accurate information on different treatments and resources available to assist patient handle mental condition. As a result, the patient feel more confident and understand the treatment processes.
Patient’s loss of contact with their therapist due to poor adherence
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner supports the patient by providing accurate information on different treatments and resources available. As a result, the patients are able to understand their treatment and have a positive experience with their medication.
Patient’s lack of motivation to adhere to their treatment plan
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provides the patient with accurate information on effective treatment plans available. In return, the patient feels more confident in making treatment choices.
Treatment side effects
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner offers support to patients taking different medications by providing accurate information on various treatments and resources available to assist patient choice. This help support the patient’s treatment adherence as they were less likely to be influenced by other medication side effects.
Substance use disorder comorbidity leading to nonadherence to treatment
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provides the patient with accurate information on different therapies and resources available. The result is that the patient isless likely to develop substance use disorder comorbidity, which lead to treatment defaulting. In addition, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner provides accurate information that help patients to remain informed on what resources and treatment options were available and best suited to them.
In summary, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner plays a critical role in improving the health status of individuals with mental disorders within the community. PMHNP is significant in assessing, diagnosing and providing mental health needs that patients require. Therefore, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners should be supported by the community members as they offer therapy and medications for patients with mental issues.
References
Cusack, E., Killoury, F., & Nugent, L. E. (2017). The professional psychiatric/mental health nurse: skills, competencies, and supports required to adopt a recovery‐orientated policy in practice. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 24(2-3), 93-104.
Delaney, K. R., & Vanderhoef, D. (2019). The psychiatric mental health advanced practice registered nurse workforce: Charting the future. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 25(1), 11-18.
Myrick, J., Laffel, L., & Hairston, K. (2017). Translating Bilingual Health Risks into Action: Incorporating Patient-Centeredness into Patient Education for Mental health. The Mental Health Educator, 43(3), 265-270. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145721717726115
O’Marra, N., Ironside, J. E., Dupuis, G. C., & Murphy, R.C. (2017). The Integral Role of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in Psychiatry: A Canadian Case Study Using the Research Domain Criteria Approach. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 53(3), 27-33.
Sankar, A., Patel, V., & Rai, G. (2017). How to communicate effectively with patients in a mental health setting: a guide for Mental Health Nurses. Nursing and Residential Care, 19(2), 116-121. https://doi.org/10.12968/nrec.2016.19.2.116
Sankar, D., Suliman, G., & Peddle, K. (2017). Outcomes of Collaboration Between Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners and Patients With Depression in a Rural Setting. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 23(4), 316-325. https://doi.org/10.1097/PRA.0000000000000275
