Download MSN_FP_6026Biopsychosocial Population Health Policy Proposal and more Lecture notes Accounting in PDF only on Docsity! MSN_FP_6026 Biopsychosocial Population Health Policy Proposal Capella University Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice II Introduction Mental illness can put a patient at the forefront of developing alcohol addiction. Patients suffering from mental illness may find it difficult to control symptoms of alcohol addiction and alcohol withdrawal. It is already evident that patients who suffer from mental illnesses and alcohol addiction have a plethora of symptoms and clinical manifestations to manage. A holistic approach is the most beneficial for complex patients, such as our vulnerable population of alcohol addicted psychiatric patients. Electronic health records have made it easier and convenient to track a patient from the point of admission, to discharge, and post hospitalization progress. Integrated Healthcare Policy Integrated care is a healthcare policy that can be applied when attempting to manage our vulnerable populations. In one model of integrated care, primary care physicians work with specialists and non-physician providers to provide mental health and addiction therapy in the primary care setting (Durbin, Durbin, Hensel, & Deber, 2016). Patients with mental illnesses are generally less likely to use general preventative and specialty care, which is why the approach for this policy is to view mental illness and substance abuse (alcohol addiction) as a chronic disease. This integration model is proposed by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and its main focus is to keep patient care and patient interaction in the primary care setting. The use of this policy will enhance the capacity of primary care providers to manage the needs of the patient that is related to mental health and alcohol addiction. A structured intervention, such as SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) can be applicable and utilized by each discipline to contribute to the holistic approach of treatment for our complex patients. Screening and intervention strategies are well-supported practices that help increase recognition and treatment of mental health and addiction problems (Durbin, Durbin, Hensel, & Deber, 2016). Along with an integrated care and approach, SBIRT system requires willingness, time, and practice changes to effectively implement in the patient’s holistic treatment. Interdisciplinary Teamwork of Proposed Policy Mentally ill patients with alcohol addiction require consultation and treatment from more than one discipline, such as a primary care physician, behavioral health specialist, rehabilitation specialist, home health nurses, and more. An effective team is recognized as essential to aide in constructing a more effective and patient-centered health care delivery system (Babiker, Husseini, Nemri, Frayh, Juryyan, Faki, Assiri, Saadi, Shaikh, & Zamil, 2014). Effective communication among team members is vital for quality patient care so that each aspect of the patient’s disease process is tackled properly. Effective interdisciplinary teamwork prevents one healthcare provider from making mistakes by allowing multiple team members to establish a system that allows them to ensure treatment initiated by another is compatible (Vyt, 2008). For example, a pharmacist on the patient’s healthcare team can ensure the medications prescribed by a mental health professional doesn’t negatively interact with the medications prescribed by the primary care physician. Advocacy and Evaluation of Interdisciplinary Teamwork Due to the complexity that these patients present with, the management of mentally ill patients with alcohol addiction needs to be handled by various interdisciplinary professions. Although, we have primary care physicians, mental health professionals, and other health care professionals on board to help manage these patients it is in the best interest for the patient’s comfort that we establish common ground and common personnel, such as the patient’s primary
