[jadespirro]

Psych nurses, please ponder these questions and let us all know what you think.

1) What can "we" as nurses do to better the community resources for the uninsured and dual-diagnosed client?

2) Do you treat both diagnoses simultaneously?

3) Can "we" really make a difference in regard to these issues?

Thanks in advance.....

[hsieh]

to better things i would guess you have to get in touch with a congressman and write letters or make phone calls to them stating your opinion (?). you would treat both dx but if one dx is putting the patient at risk that would be the priority. the scope of nursing is to follow orders - so you can only do what your employer says you can do regarding helping the patients. maybe discuss with your employer what you think would help the patient.

[nursekathi]

Definitely, speaking out to gov officials, of your city, county and state about the importance of treatment and encouraging others to do the same.

[CharlieRN]

Originally Posted by jadespirro

Psych nurses, please ponder these questions and let us all know what you think.

1) What can "we" as nurses do to better the community resources for the uninsured and dual-diagnosed client?

2) Do you treat both diagnoses simultaneously?

3) Can "we" really make a difference in regard to these issues?

Thanks in advance.....

1 The political action question has been answered adequately by others.

2 No. You can't treat both dx simultaneously. The focus must be on the sustance abuse treatment first. We tried it the otherway and it just does not work. You do not ignore the depression or psychosis, you treat it, but you don't buy that the pysch dx is causing the substance abuse. Substance abuse, if continued, will sabatage the tx of the psych d/o so it must stop.

3 Political action question again.