Mental health and wellbeing in integrated care: Essay Question
In Reference to: HS1924 Essay Question
Integrative nursing care demands an understanding that physical and mental health are not separate entities but interconnected aspects of wellbeing.
In this Scenario-based essay question this guide will enable you to apply your knowledge and demonstrate understanding and with support, enable you to identify your learning as an adult nurse.
Essay Title: Scenario based essay
Essay Requirements
The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate understanding of the need to address both physical and mental health needs when providing care across a range of patient and client groups. You will be given a scenario based on a patient or client from your field of practice. You will then:
- Outline relevant policy or guidelines related to integrating the physical and mental health needs of the client group
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Discuss the effectiveness of current practice and potential barriers to integration of care that may exist based on appropriate literature.
- Consider how nurses might address stigma that could affect the client group in the given scenario.
A guide for a 2000 word essay discussing potential influences on mental health and wellbeing in relation to a given scenario, taking into account legal, professional and ethical frameworks.
Knowledge and Understanding:
- Explain the need for integration between physical health and mental health
nursing interventions. (S)
- Describe the importance to communicate effectively using a range of skills and
strategies with colleagues and people at all stages of life and with a range of
mental, physical, cognitive and behavioural health challenges (S)
- Explain the need to apply relevant legal and regulatory requirements,
governance requirements, policies, and ethical frameworks and guidelines to
all areas of practice (F)
Skills:
- Demonstrate the process of accurately assessing a person’s capacity to make autonomous decisions and apply ethical principles within ‘best interest’ decision making (S)
- Demonstrate a range of skills and strategies with different groups of people, in different situations which enable people to be empowered and make informed choices(F)
- Describe relevant clinical measurements, therapeutic processes and techniques to meet clients’ psychological and physical needs. (S)
- Demonstrate the skills and abilities required to develop, manage and maintain appropriate relationships with people, their families and carers and colleagues (F)
Values and attitudes:
- Explain the principles of candour, courage and transparency, recognising and reporting any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor outcomes of care and treatment. (F)
- Explain the need to make all decisions regarding people’s care and treatment based on the needs of patients, and not on their own personal considerations, recognising and addressing external factors that may unduly influence their decisions (F)
- Describe the effects of stigma along with other inequalities and promote choice and control for people with both physical and mental health care needs. (S)
- Discuss partnership working between lay and professional/health and social care/public and private providers, through valuing and respecting the contributions of others (S)
Below is a structured guide that can be used in assisting an adult nurse with writing an essay based on the HS1924 scenario-based question:
Guidance on Your HS1924 Integrative Care Essay
This essay is a crucial component of your academic progress and is designed to assess your understanding of how physical and mental health care can be integrated in nursing practice. Below, you'll find a structured approach to help you navigate through the essay writing process effectively.
Understanding the Scenario:
Begin by carefully reading the given scenario. Take note of the patient or client's specific characteristics, health conditions, and the context within which they are receiving care. This will provide the foundation for your essay.
Outlining Policies and Guidelines:
Research and outline the relevant policies or guidelines that pertain to the physical and mental health needs of the client group presented in your scenario. Look for the most current and applicable policies that influence nursing interventions.
Analysing Current Practices:
Critically evaluate the effectiveness of existing practices in integrating care. Identify potential barriers that may hinder the seamless delivery of combined physical and mental health services. Support your discussion with evidence from appropriate literature, ensuring that your sources are recent and relevant to your field of practice.
Addressing Stigma:
Reflect on how stigma related to mental health might affect the client group in your scenario. Formulate strategies on how nurses could address such stigma and promote a more inclusive environment for patient care.
Essay Structure:
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Introduction (Approximately 200 words): Provide an overview of the scenario and the significance of integrating care. Briefly mention the policies and the need for a stigma-free practice.
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Main Body (Approximately 1600 words):
- Policy and Guidelines Section: Outline the policies guiding integrated care and discuss their relevance to the scenario.
- Current Practice and Barriers Section: Discuss current practices, citing literature, and elaborate on the barriers to effective care integration.
- Stigma and Nursing Interventions Section: Suggest nursing interventions that could mitigate stigma and promote patient well-being.
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Conclusion (Approximately 200 words):
Summarise the key points made, reiterating the importance of integrated care and the role of nursing in fostering both physical and mental health care. Conclude with the potential impact of your suggestions on improving patient outcomes.
Referencing and Research:
Ensure all references are within the last ten years and follow the Harvard referencing style. Utilize a variety of sources, including policy documents, peer-reviewed journals, and authoritative texts from the indicative reading list.
Final Tips:
- Start writing early to allow ample time for research and revisions.
- Maintain objectivity and support arguments with evidence.
- Keep your writing clear and focused on the scenario.
- Pay attention to the word count, allocating space to each section appropriately.
By following this guide, you'll be able to develop an essay that not only meets the academic requirements but also showcases your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations in the field of nursing.
INDICATIVE READING LIST:
Callaghan, P, Playle, J. & Cooper, L. (2009) Mental Health Nursing Skills. Oxford University Press, Oxford
Clarke, V, and Walsh, A (2009) Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing. OU Press Oxford
Coventry, P, Lovell, K, Dickens, C, Bower, P, Chew-Graham, C, McElvenny, D. (2015) Integrated primary care for patients with mental and physical multi-morbidity: cluster randomised controlled trial of collaborative care for patients with depression comorbid with diabetes or cardiovascular disease. British Medical Journal 350: h638–h638
Haddad, M., Llewellyn-Jones, S., Yarnold, S. and Simpson, A. (2016). Improving the physical health of people with severe mental illness in a low secure forensic unit: An uncontrolled evaluation study of staff training and physical health care plans. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 25(6), pp. 554–565
HM Government (2011) No Health without Mental Health London: Crown Publications
Mental Health Taskforce (2016) The Five Year Forward View for Mental Health UK: Mental Health Taskforce / NHS England
Mutsatsa, S. (2015). Physical Healthcare and Promotion in Mental Health Nursing. Learning Matters. ISBN 978-1-4462-6818-6.
Naylor C, Das P, Ross S, Honeyman M, Thompson J and Gilburt H. Bringing Together Physical and Mental Health: A New Frontier for Integrated Care. London: The King’s Fund, www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/physical-and-mental-health (last checked 9/5/18)
Norman I and Ryrie I (2018). The Art and Science of Mental Health Nursing 4th ed. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill
Van der Kluit, M.J. & Goossens, P.J.J. (2011) Factors Influencing Attitudes of Nursing in General Health Care Toward Patients with Comorbid Mental Illness: An Integrative Literature Review Issues in Mental Health Nursing Vol. 32 pg 519 – 527