Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Access And Delivery Of Mental Health Care To Veterans Through A Care Coordination Pilot At A Texas Department Of Veterans Affairs Hospital, Jacqueline Buval

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Mental health (MH) disorders are among the leading cause of disabilities in adults, with an even greater prevalence among Veterans who served in combat. Forty percent of troops returning from combat zones report suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression and 33% report trouble accessing MH care. Access to care is directly influenced by care coordination procedures in health care systems. If care coordination is poor or lacking, patients remain in settings that are inappropriate for their level of care. Implementing a care coordination program can improve care transitions, provide the necessary support for patients to successfully …

Implementing Best Practices To Improve Veteran’S Primary Care: A Pilot Project For Suicide Screening, Assessment & Referral, Nathaniel Held

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Problem Description: Suicide is an increasing problem within the United States, but an even greater problem among the veteran population. Veterans are twice as likely to commit suicide than individuals within the civilian population. El Paso County, Colorado has the highest veteran population in the state and the highest number of suicides. Despite numerous military mental health programs available. Studies have found that many veterans will visit a civilian primary care clinic (for various reasons) within a month of taking their own lives but rarely are mental health concerns noted. This can be due to a lack of awareness and …

Awareness Matters: Improving Healthcare Workers’ Self-Efficacy, Knowledge, Skills And Attitudes Related To Mental Illness And Suicide Prevention, Carlana J. Coogle

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Problem Description

Healthcare workers’ (HCWs) negative stigmas, poor attitudes, and lack of knowledge impact the care delivered to patients with a mental illness or who may be suffering with suicidal thoughts.

Rationale

Raising HCWs’ awareness, knowledge and skills have been linked to improving the negative stigmas, biases, and attitudes that impede the care required to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Intervention

Participants attended a 90-minute Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) gatekeeper training, each participant received six bi-weekly emails about mental health issues, suicide prevention, and community resources. A pre/post survey design using the Mental Illness Clinicians’ Attitude Scale (MICA-4) and the Mental …