NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care

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NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care – Step-by-Step Guide

The first step before starting to write the NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care is to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment. 

It is also important to identify the paper’s audience and purpose, as this will help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, review its use, including writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review the formatting requirements for the title page and headings in the paper, as outlined by Chamberlain University.

How to Research and Prepare for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care

The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify a list of keywords related to your topic using various combinations. The first step is to visit the Chamberlain University library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from the Chamberlain University Library, PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last 5 years and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, such as APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list. 

You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next, create a detailed outline of the paper to help you develop headings and subheadings for the content. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.

How to Write the Introduction for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care

The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part, as it helps provide the context of your work and determines whether the reader will be interested in reading through to the end. Begin with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.

How to Write the Body for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care

The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence collected from the research, and ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance, as well as how it relates to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between paragraphs by using transition words and a flow of ideas.

How to Write the In-text Citations for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care

In-text citations help readers give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their work. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:

“The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Morelli et al. (2024), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Alawiye (2024) highlights that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.”

How to Write the Conclusion for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care

When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restating your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. Conclude with a call to action that leaves a lasting impression on the reader or offers recommendations.

How to Format the Reference List for NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care

The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically, and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication. 

Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:

References

Morelli, S., Daniele, C., D’Avenio, G., Grigioni, M., & Giansanti, D. (2024). Optimizing telehealth: Leveraging Key Performance Indicators for enhanced telehealth and digital healthcare outcomes (Telemechron Study). Healthcare, 12(13), 1319. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12131319

Alawiye, T. (2024). The impact of digital technology on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. E-Health Telecommunication Systems and Networks, 13, 13-22. 10.4236/etsn.2024.132002.

NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care Instructions

Mental health care is often initiated in the primary care setting. Screenings are a critical part of identifying clients who may require psychiatric care. Carefully read the questions below and address each in your initial post. Have a look at NR601 Week 6 iHuman Reflection Ella West.

  1. Application  of  Course  Knowledge
    1. Identify your clinical practicum setting (primary care office, urgent care, etc.) and a population that you typically see (i.e., adolescents, women, older adults).
    2. Discuss mental health screening tools used at your clinical site. If no screening tools are currently used, which ones would you recommend?
    3. Describe the quality of the mental health care you have observed. Discuss disparities or biases, if any, in the care provided to different members of the population.
    4. Screening opportunities are often missed in vulnerable populations and those with limited access to care. Describe at least TWO changes you recommend in your practice setting and community to increase the frequency of mental health screenings within vulnerable populations.
  2. Cite 3 scholarly sources of <5yrs in the initial post.

NR601 Week 6 Discussion: Mental Health Care Example

Mental Health Care

The provision of mental health care is of utmost relevance in primary care settings, as it is crucial to identify persons requiring psychiatric assistance promptly. This essay explores the practical application of knowledge gained in courses during clinical practicum settings. It focuses on the methods used for mental health screening and the quality of care observed. Additionally, it examines discrepancies in the delivery of care to various demographic groups. Moreover, it aims to implement practical adjustments to increase the frequency of mental health screenings and provide more equitable care by identifying and addressing lost screening opportunities in disadvantaged populations.

Clinical Practicum Setting and Population

I work in a primary care clinic in Virginia that serves a varied clientele, including adults, older adults, and adolescents, as part of my clinical practicum. The patient population is diverse, encompassing both low-income and private insurance holders, which contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the demands of mental health care across age ranges and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Mental Health Screening Tools

At the clinical site where I work, we primarily use standardized screening techniques to assess the mental well-being of our patients. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is frequently utilized for diagnosing and determining the severity of depression (Ford et al., 2020), whilst the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) is utilized for evaluating anxiety (Johnson et al., 2019). In addition, the Primary Care PTSD Screen (PC-PTSD) is used to screen for post-traumatic stress disorder (Bovin et al., 2021), while the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C) is employed to identify problematic alcohol intake (Verhoog et al., 2019). These tools facilitate healthcare providers in identifying patients who may require additional assessment or referral to mental health experts.

Quality of Mental Health Care and Disparities

The observed quality of mental health care at my clinical site exhibits variability. Although certain healthcare providers are conscientious in employing screening methods and addressing mental health issues with their patients, there are occasions where limited time and a high volume of patients result in overlooked chances for comprehensive mental health evaluations. Furthermore, I have observed discrepancies in the quality of care given to various segments of the community. Underprivileged demographics, including persons with restricted healthcare accessibility and low socioeconomic status, frequently undergo less extensive mental health assessments. The difference can be attributed to multiple variables, including bias from healthcare providers and insufficient resources for vulnerable communities.

Recommendations to Increase Mental Health Screenings

To resolve the problem of missed mental health screening opportunities among susceptible populations, I propose the integration of behavioral health services within primary care settings. This would entail the utilization of certified behavioral health practitioners, such as social workers or psychologists, who can work in conjunction with primary care physicians, to administer mental health assessments and offer prompt assistance or recommendations. By having mental health professionals within the facility, the chances of overlooking screening opportunities would be diminished, and marginalized groups would be able to access more thorough healthcare.

Enhancing the frequency of mental health assessments in susceptible populations can also be accomplished through community outreach and education programs (Castillo et al., 2019). The primary objective of these programs should be to diminish the social disapproval associated with mental health problems and to advocate for the significance of routine mental health evaluations. In addition, the provision of complimentary or affordable mental health screening clinics in locations lacking sufficient resources would guarantee that those with restricted healthcare availability can readily obtain these services.

Conclusion

Based on the above discussion, evaluating mental health is a vital component in identifying patients who require psychiatric treatment, typically beginning in primary healthcare settings. To improve the standard of mental health care and tackle inequalities among various population groups, I propose integrating behavioral health services into primary care and implementing community outreach and education programs to boost the frequency of mental health screenings among vulnerable populations. These modifications can enhance the inclusivity and fairness of the mental health treatment system, thereby helping patients across all age groups and socio-economic statuses.

References

Bovin, M. J., Kimerling, R., Weathers, F. W., Prins, A., Marx, B. P., Post, E. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2021). Diagnostic Accuracy and Acceptability of the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) Among US Veterans. JAMA Network Open, 4(2), e2036733. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.36733

Castillo, E. G., Ijadi-Maghsoodi, R., Shadravan, S., Moore, E., Mensah, M. O., Docherty, M., Aguilera Nunez, M. G., Barcelo, N., Goodsmith, N., Halpin, L. E., Morton, I., Mango, J., Montero, A. E., Rahmanian Koushkaki, S., Bromley, E., Chung, B., Jones, F., Gabrielian, S., Gelberg, L., & Greenberg, J. M. (2019). Community interventions to promote mental health and social equity. Current Psychiatry Reports, 21(5), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1017-0

Ford, J., Thomas, F., Byng, R., & McCabe, R. (2020). Use of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in Practice: Interactions between Patients and Physicians. Qualitative Health Research, 30(13), 2146–2159. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732320924625

Johnson, S. U., Ulvenes, P. G., Øktedalen, T., & Hoffart, A. (2019). Psychometric Properties of the General Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) Scale in a Heterogeneous Psychiatric Sample. Frontiers in Psychology, 10(1713). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01713

Verhoog, S., Dopmeijer, Jolien M., de Jonge, Jannet M., van der Heijde, Claudia M., Vonk, P., Bovens, Rob H. L. M., de Boer, Michiel R., Hoekstra, T., Kunst, Anton E., Wiers, Reinout W., & Kuipers, Mirte A. G. (2019). The Use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption as an Indicator of Hazardous Alcohol Use among University Students. European Addiction Research, 26(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1159/000503342