Write a 1500-word essay addressing each of the following points. There should be a section for each bullet below.
Write a 1500-word essay addressing each of the following points. There should be a section for each bullet below. Separate each section in your paper with a clear heading that allows your professor to know which bullet you are addressing. Support your ideas with at least three (3) sources in your essay. Make sure to reference the citations using the APA writing style for the essay. The cover page and reference page do not count towards the minimum word amount.
- Project Title – should appear on the title page of the paper.
- Project Description
- Project Rationale
- Personal/Professional Expectations
- Project Goals
- Analysis of the Literature
- Procedure
- Findings
Sample Expert Answer
Enhancing Mental Health Education in Medical Surgery and Telemetry
Mental health awareness has emerged as a crucial and ever-evolving facet of contemporary society, transcending borders and demographics. In recent years, this once-stigmatized topic has garnered unprecedented attention, sparking critical conversations and initiatives on a global scale. Recognizing the profound impact of mental health on individuals, communities, and societies as a whole, efforts to raise awareness have gained momentum, challenging misconceptions, eroding the barriers to seeking help, and fostering empathy and support for those navigating the complexities of mental health challenges (Purcell et al., 2019).
This heightened awareness has not only reshaped public attitudes but has also increased the transformation in healthcare, advocacy, and public policy, with the ultimate goal of fostering a more inclusive, compassionate, and mentally healthy world. This essay explores the different sector of mental health awareness, addressing its significance, recent developments, and the diverse strategies used to advocate for mental well-being.
Project Description
The practicum project’s central focus lies in the development and execution of a meticulously crafted educational program, specifically tailored to enhance mental health care within the specialized contexts of Medical Surgery and Telemetry specialties. These medical specialties often involve caring for patients who grapple with a multitude of physical health concerns, ranging from surgical procedures to chronic illnesses, which can significantly impact their mental well-being. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize that the mental health difficulties experienced by patients in these settings can be just as critical as their physical ailments (Purcell et al., 2019).
One of the key factors driving the need for this project is the recognition of the complex challenges that patients in Medical Surgery and Telemetry units often face. Beyond the confines of their medical conditions, many of these individuals confront issues like unstable housing situations and limited access to essential medical resources. These challenges can exacerbate existing mental health issues or even precipitate new ones. For instance, the stress of a surgical procedure or the uncertainty of a chronic illness can take a toll on a patient’s mental well-being. Patients who lack stable housing or access to necessary medical care may find themselves in particularly vulnerable positions, heightening their susceptibility to mental health difficulties.
In response to these pressing challenges, the practicum project’s primary objective is to create and implement a highly targeted educational program. This program is designed not only to raise awareness but, more importantly, to equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to effectively address the unique mental health needs of their patients within the demanding environments of Medical Surgery and Telemetry specialties. By equipping healthcare providers with the tools to recognize, communicate, and connect patients to essential resources. The initiative seeks to alleviate the prevalent mental health difficulties faced by patients and also embodies a commitment to delivering more compassionate and comprehensive healthcare in these specialized settings.
Project Rationale
The rationale behind this project is rooted in the recognition that mental health and physical health are intricately intertwined, especially within the demanding and high-stress environments of Medical Surgery and Telemetry units. Patients admitted to these specialties often grapple with a complex web of physical and mental health challenges. Surgical procedures, chronic illnesses, and intricate medical treatments can exert a substantial toll on their mental well-being. The anxiety, fear, and uncertainty associated with surgeries or the ongoing management of chronic conditions can significantly impair underlying mental health concerns, potentially leading to conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Socioeconomic factors further compound the challenges faced by patients in these healthcare settings. For instance, patients experiencing unstable housing situations may encounter heightened stressors, which can further compromise their mental health (Spiritus-Beerden et al., 2021). The instability of their living conditions can make it difficult to focus on their medical care, exacerbating their physical health issues and intensifying their emotional distress. Limited access to medical resources can leave patients feeling isolated and unsupported, exacerbating feelings of hopelessness and despair.
These multifaceted challenges underscore the pressing need to address mental health within the contexts of Medical Surgery and Telemetry units. Ignoring the mental health aspect of patient care would be a disservice to their overall well-being and recovery. This project acknowledges that true patient-centered care must encompass both physical and mental health aspects. By recognizing and proactively addressing the intersection of mental and physical health issues in Medical Surgery and Telemetry specialties, healthcare providers can deliver more holistic and compassionate care.
Personal/Professional Expectations
As the practitioner undertaking this practicum, I anticipate several personal and professional growth opportunities. On a personal level, I expect to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between mental and physical health and the unique challenges faced by patients in Medical Surgery and Telemetry units. Professionally, I aim to enhance my ability to develop and implement educational programs tailored to specific healthcare settings. Moreover, I expect to refine my skills in interdisciplinary collaboration, as addressing mental health necessitates a team-based approach involving nurses, physicians, social workers, and other healthcare professionals.
Project Goals
The key objective of this project is to enhance the quality of mental health care within Medical Surgery and Telemetry units. To achieve this, specific objectives have been outlined such as the need to develop an evidence-based educational program tailored to the unique needs of these specialties. The other goal is to foster collaboration with healthcare providers for the effective implementation of this program. The other goals focus on the need to assess its impact on healthcare providers’ knowledge and practices in the realm of mental health care. Additionally, the program ought to evaluate patient outcomes, including reduced readmission rates and improved well-being, as key indicators of the program’s success.
The main goal of this project is to make mental health care better in the Medical Surgery and Telemetry units. The project creates a special educational program that focuses on the needs of these units. The program includes interdisciplinary collaboration together with healthcare workers to use the program in understanding mental health better. This way, the program hope to improve the care patients get in these units and make it more about the whole person, not just their physical health.
Analysis of the Literature
A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to inform the development of the educational program. The literature revealed that mental health issues are prevalent among patients in Medical Surgery and Telemetry units. Factors contributing to these issues include the psychological stressors associated with medical procedures, chronic illnesses, and the hospital environment itself. Patients experiencing homelessness or limited access to healthcare services are at a heightened risk of mental health challenges (Vallesi et al., 2021). The literature also highlighted the importance of healthcare providers’ knowledge and attitudes in addressing mental health, emphasizing the need for specialized training and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Procedure
The project’s procedure encompassed a series of crucial steps that were executed successfully. In the initial phase, a thorough Needs Assessment was conducted by interviewing healthcare providers working in the Medical Surgery and Telemetry units and administering surveys. The objective was to identify specific areas where knowledge and resources related to mental health were lacking. Valuable insights were obtained regarding gaps in mental health education and available resources within these units. The subsequent stage was the Program Development based on creating awareness on mental health.
Based on the knowledge gained from the Needs Assessment, a comprehensive educational program was designed. This program was tailored to address the specific needs identified earlier, relying on a solid foundation of evidence-based practices. It covered critical topics such as recognizing signs of mental health issues, employing effective communication techniques with patients concerning their mental health, and offering guidance on connecting patients with essential community resources for their mental well-being.
Once the educational program was developed, it was time for Program Implementation. In close collaboration with unit managers and educators, the program was introduced to healthcare providers in the Medical Surgery and Telemetry units. This phase featured interactive workshops, real-life case studies, and simulation exercises, all designed to provide hands-on learning experiences. Involving both management and educators ensured a seamless integration of the program into the existing healthcare framework, making it accessible and beneficial to all providers. Post-program assessments were conducted to gauge the impact of the educational initiative (Favre et al., 2021).
Healthcare providers participated in surveys before and after the program to measure changes in their knowledge and attitudes towards mental health. Simultaneously, patient outcomes linked to mental health care, including readmission rates and patient satisfaction scores, were monitored. This comprehensive evaluation allowed for an assessment of the effectiveness of the program in real-world settings, enabling refinement and improvement as needed. Overall, the procedural steps of this project were methodically executed to ensure its success in enhancing mental health care in Medical Surgery and Telemetry units.
Findings
The initial findings of the project underscore the importance of addressing mental health education in Medical Surgery and Telemetry units. Interviews and surveys with healthcare providers revealed a significant knowledge gap in recognizing and addressing mental health issues among patients. Many healthcare providers expressed a desire for more training and resources in this area. The developed educational program was well-received during the implementation phase.
Healthcare providers reported increased confidence in identifying signs of mental health issues, engaging in sensitive conversations with patients, and connecting them to appropriate resources. Preliminary data also suggests a positive impact on patient outcomes, with a reduction in readmission rates and improved patient satisfaction scores related to mental health care.
Conclusions
The practicum project, “Enhancing Mental Health Education in Medical Surgery and Telemetry,” has made significant progress in addressing the mental health needs of patients in these specialties. The project’s initial findings highlight the positive impact of tailored educational programs on healthcare providers’ knowledge and practices, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and the delivery of holistic, patient-centered care. Continued evaluation and refinement of the program are essential to sustain and further enhance these positive outcomes.
References
Favre, D. E., Bach, D., & Wheeler, L. B. (2021). Measuring institutional transformation: a multifaceted assessment of a new faculty development program. Journal of Research in Innovative Teaching & Learning, 14(3), 378-398.
Purcell, R., Gwyther, K., & Rice, S. M. (2019). Mental health in elite athletes: increased awareness requires an early intervention framework to respond to athlete needs. Sports medicine-open, 5(1), 46.
Spiritus-Beerden, E., Verelst, A., Devlieger, I., Langer Primdahl, N., Botelho Guedes, F., Chiarenza, A., … & Derluyn, I. (2021). Mental health of refugees and migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of experienced discrimination and daily stressors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(12), 6354.
Vallesi, S., Tuson, M., Davies, A., & Wood, L. (2021). Multimorbidity among people experiencing homelessness—insights from primary care data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(12), 6498.
