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 ...