mental health subject

[desjam]

having trouble understanding evidence based management for schizophrenia. just new to the website and i m trying to understand the basic management tool for schizophrenia patient and ways of improving their medication adherence

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

I am not quite understanding the poll option here but this is what I have learned for schizophrenia.

Many times patients are non-compliant with medications because of medication side effects and/or lack of medication education on behalf of prescriber/nurse

Typical/atypical antipsychotic medications have many unpleasant side effects, these needs to be discussed with the patient and inform them that side effects will be managed appropriately and they should remain on the therapeutic regimen.

Patients are often not educated on the medication they are taking and the importance of it. Patients should really be educated on their medication (regardless of whether its for schizophrenia or HTN), find brochures or any type of information which maybe useful to the patient. Assess in what manner they would prefer their education and deliver it.

A last component is family, it is important to include the family in the discharge planning of a schizophrenic patient as they might be the ones who begin to notice subtle changes in mood and affect. Educate them on the course of the disease and what are the expectations. Educate them on medication compliance and adherence; nursing is a holistic field and we often forget that the family is part of the patient.

[desjam]

thank u Okami for the insight. but i m still trying to know if a psychologist and social worker and a group meeting can be classified as a resources for mental health patient.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

thank u Okami for the insight. but i m still trying to know if a psychologist and social worker and a group meeting can be classified as a resources for mental health patient.

Why would they not be?

[Okami_CCRN, BSN, RN]

thank u Okami for the insight. but i m still trying to know if a psychologist and social worker and a group meeting can be classified as a resources for mental health patient.

Then why did you not mention that in the opening?

Social work is an excellent referral as once these patients are in the real world they will need access to community resources to help them go back to society. Some things a social worker might offer are out patient assistance programs and contacts when they feel a crisis coming on.

Psychologist/therapy is also an appropriate referral as these patients should have some form of CB therapy to help strengthen coping mechanisms

Group therapy is dependent on the individual, most schizophrenic patients are very weary of large groups of people as it might be too much to handle. Family therapy might be more appropriate if they are living at home with their parents.