Other Titles

Improving health in the psychiatric patient

Abstract

Background: Patients with co-existing substance use and mental disorder (dual diagnosis) have complex and challenging care needs. They have an increased risk of homicide, suicide, homelessness, incarceration, multiple admissions and infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV. Acute psychiatric care settings play a vital role in providing services for dual diagnosis patients who often do not voluntarily seek treatment. There is evidence that nurses working in these settings often have unmet learning needs regarding dual diagnosis care, posing a challenge to nursing practice with this clientele. This is significant in that recent data reveals that 57% of the psychiatric inpatients at an inner city hospital in Vancouver, Canada are characterized as dual diagnosis.

Purpose: To develop and pilot an educational module which will equip nurses with the skills and knowledge required to deliver evidence-based dual diagnosis care in acute psychiatric settings.

Methods: A survey of 74 nurses working in acute psychiatric settings was completed to identify their learning needs and challenges. This was followed by a comprehensive review of evidence from the literature to identify competencies, knowledge, and skills needed to deliver dual diagnosis care. Content for the educational module was then validated by a panel of leading international experts on dual diagnosis. Two focus groups of acute psychiatric nurses were then conducted to discuss content. After this, an 8 hour educational session was developed and piloted using the content that was reviewed and validated. Evaluation from 55 participants' of the educational session was collected and analyzed. Results: Thirteen content areas were identified and validated by experts. Evaluations from 55 participants of the educational session suggest improved knowledge, skills and competencies in dual diagnosis care.

Conclusion: This project translates evidence into practice, contributes to the body of knowledge on dual diagnosis care in acute psychiatric settings and improves nurses" confidence and competency in delivering evidence-based care which also will improve patient care outcomes and experiences.

Authors

Kofi Bonnie

Author Details

Kofi Bonnie, DNP, MSc, BSc(Hons), RPN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Acute Settings, Mental and Substance Use Disorder, Dual Diagnosis, Educational Module

Conference Name

28th International Nursing Research Congress

Conference Host

Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Dublin, Ireland

Conference Year

2017

Rights Holder

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All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Improving dual diagnosis care in acute psychiatric inpatient settings through education

Dublin, Ireland

Background: Patients with co-existing substance use and mental disorder (dual diagnosis) have complex and challenging care needs. They have an increased risk of homicide, suicide, homelessness, incarceration, multiple admissions and infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV. Acute psychiatric care settings play a vital role in providing services for dual diagnosis patients who often do not voluntarily seek treatment. There is evidence that nurses working in these settings often have unmet learning needs regarding dual diagnosis care, posing a challenge to nursing practice with this clientele. This is significant in that recent data reveals that 57% of the psychiatric inpatients at an inner city hospital in Vancouver, Canada are characterized as dual diagnosis.

Purpose: To develop and pilot an educational module which will equip nurses with the skills and knowledge required to deliver evidence-based dual diagnosis care in acute psychiatric settings.

Methods: A survey of 74 nurses working in acute psychiatric settings was completed to identify their learning needs and challenges. This was followed by a comprehensive review of evidence from the literature to identify competencies, knowledge, and skills needed to deliver dual diagnosis care. Content for the educational module was then validated by a panel of leading international experts on dual diagnosis. Two focus groups of acute psychiatric nurses were then conducted to discuss content. After this, an 8 hour educational session was developed and piloted using the content that was reviewed and validated. Evaluation from 55 participants' of the educational session was collected and analyzed. Results: Thirteen content areas were identified and validated by experts. Evaluations from 55 participants of the educational session suggest improved knowledge, skills and competencies in dual diagnosis care.

Conclusion: This project translates evidence into practice, contributes to the body of knowledge on dual diagnosis care in acute psychiatric settings and improves nurses" confidence and competency in delivering evidence-based care which also will improve patient care outcomes and experiences.