Date of Award
Spring 2019
Degree Type
Doctoral Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
School
Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice
Committee Chair
Dr. Cathy Hughes
Committee Chair School
Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice
Committee Member 2
Dr. Carolyn Coleman
Committee Member 2 School
Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice
Committee Member 3
Dr. Rita Porter
Abstract
Treatment rates in primary care for the mental health population is traditionally low. Individuals with mental illnesses were at a higher risk for the development of chronic health problems (Ross et al., 2015). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicated that many people with serious mental illness die from preventable diseases. People with serious mental illness also have a higher mortality rate than those in the general population (SAMHSA, 2017b).
The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to determine if educational training regarding specific chronic disease conditions influenced the attitude and knowledge of the Community Health Workers (CHWs) in the day treatment program. The project was also to determine if the development and utilization of the referral policy and toolkit would assist CHWs in referring clients to primary care. There were a total of eight participants. A pretest and survey were administered to the CHW followed by an educational presentation. A posttest and survey were administered. The means of the post-test and post surveys increased. The pre/posttest and survey results supported the incorporation of education regarding the importance of preventive health and wellness to the CHW. The Director of Adult Services of the mental health facility assembled a focus group of mental health providers. The referral policy and toolkit was introduced to the CHWs and the focus group. Following the introduction of the referral policy and toolkit, the focus group completed a questionnaire. The purpose of the questionnaire was to determine the ease of use and the overall usefulness of the toolkit. Overall the staff thought the toolkit was useful in assisting with referrals.
Copyright
McLin and Myers, 2019
Recommended Citation
Mclin, Phaedra and Myers, Stephanie, "Providing Preventive Health Education and Developing a Referral Policy and Toolkit to Increase Access to Primary Care for Individuals with Mental Illness" (2019). Doctoral Projects. 109.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dnp_capstone/109