A Descriptive Survey of Community Mental Health Nurses (CPNs) Attitudes Towards The Physical Health Needs Of Seriously Mentally Ill (SMI) Patients
By
Abstract
In this study we try to explore the concept of “physical health needs of seriously mentally ill (SMI) patients” in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on “Serious Mental Illness” and its relation with “physical health needs in the society”. The research also analyzes many aspects of community mental health nurses (CPNs) attitudes towards the physical health needs of seriously mentally ill (SMI) patients and tries to gauge its effects. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible and tries to describe the overall effects of “community mental health nurses” on “SMI patients”.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION1
Research aim1
Significance of the research3
Conclusion4
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW5
Introduction5
Types of literature and their resources5
Care for Persons with Serious Mental Illness.8
HISTORY OF MENTAL HEALTH AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING12
Organization of Nursing Care for the mental ill patients17
Performance of "The Home Consultation"22
Factors contributing to poor physical health in seriously mental ill patients.24
Community mental health nurses roles in providing holistic care29
Conclusion36
CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH DESIGN38
Philosophy of approach38
Research paradigm and approach38
Research methods39
Research site and participants40
Study design40
Questionnaire41
Data analysis43
Results44
CHAPTER 4 DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS50
Ethical Approval50
The data collection process51
Data analysis51
Research dissemination53
Conclusion54
CHAPTER 5 FINDINGS55
CHAPTER 6 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS57
Study overview57
Study respondents57
Discussion and implications of the findings58
Study strengths and limitations59
Recommendations59
Conclusion60
REFERENCES61
APPENDICES77
British Journal of Nursing77
The British Journal78
Serious Mental Illness: Opportunities for Family Practitioners82
Tables and graphs84
Component Respondant Matrix85
Graphs87
Chapter 1 Introduction
This chapter outlines the focus and purpose of the research study, and presents the research aim and question. The study will be discussed in relation to its significance for community mental health nursing and its limitations will be identified.
It will demonstrate why research into this topic is timely and important now. This dissertation contains pseudonyms to protect the identity of the National Health Service (NHS) Trust and individuals involved in the research.
The purpose of this research is to elicit community mental health nurses (CPNs) attitudes towards the physical health needs of seriously mentally ill (SMI) patients. The problem was identified by observing that there are currently no standard physical health screening or assessments tools being used in the NHS Trust I work in and there is differences in practice with addressing the physical health needs of SMI patients.
Research aim
People with SMI are at greater risk than the general population of developing physical health problems that go undetected, and most, if not all, types of mental disorder are associated with an increased rate of early death (Harris & Barraclough, 1998).They are at high risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, endocrine disease, gastrointestinal disease, obesity and diabetes (Santhouse & Holloway, 1999). Investigations into the correlation between mental illness and poor physical health has lead to calls for health professionals to become more aware of these findings and for better medical screening and treatment of psychiatric patients, (Phelan et al 2001).
The topic of SMI patients' physical health needs is a priority within all NHS trusts at present but it is unclear what knowledge or skills CPNs have to be ...