NURS FPX 4000

NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 1 Assessing the Problem Leadership Collaboration Communication Change Management and Policy Considerations

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 4900 Capstone project for Nursing

Prof. Name

Date

Assessing the Problem: Leadership, Collaboration, Communication, Change

Management and Policy Considerations

World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes mental health as an integral part of human life due to its contribution to effective decision-making (WHO, 2022). It states that mental health issues are complex and varying phenomena that change their nature from person to person.This capstone project aims to assess mental health issues by identifying a person’s personal and social determinants to reduce risks through practical leadership skills, collaboration with various health-related professionals, effective communication, change, and policy consideration. 

Defines a Patient’s Health Problem

Sophia Carter is a 25-year-old woman who has resided in my neighborhood for the past few years. By profession, she is a graphic designer and lives alone in a small apartment. Few interactions demonstrated distress in her body language. After consultation, she is diagnosed with depression and anxiety. She experiences mood swings, lack of motivation, insomnia, and social withdrawal, which are identifiable symptoms of a mental health crisis. Upon diagnosis, it was revealed that Sophia has been struggling with mental health issues since her teenage years, but she never sought professional help. Multiple reasons back her condition: she works remotely, has limited social interaction, and does not do well in social gatherings.

The rationale for choosing Sophia’s case is that she represents demographics that are highly affected by mental health concerns, meaning adults, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, whose prevalence is ever-increasing. Shalit and Gettas. (2020), say 40 million people suffer from anxiety annually, and 10% have depression of some degree (Shalit & Gettas, 2020). The financial cost is substantially high for treating both depression and anxiety, estimating $210.5 Billion for depression and $42 billion for anxiety in both direct and indirect expenses (Shalit & Gettas, 2020).

NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 1 Assessing the Problem Leadership Collaboration Communication Change Management and Policy Considerations

Depression and anxiety were commonly noted among Americans at the start of the pandemic in almost 50% of the adult population. Another study states the prevalence of mental health concerns in women than in men, meaning in 46.6 million people with mental illness, 24.2 million are women (Lin et al., 2020). Her case will provide insights into the challenges faced by adults managing health issues and assist in personal and professional abilities. Mental health can occur at any stage to anyone, so an emphatic approach with appropriate knowledge will help me manage my mental health or the people around me. It will also assist in professional growth by providing an opportunity to advocate for policy change and deliver high-quality services, improving mental health outcomes and quality of life. 

Analysis of Evidence from Peer-Reviewed Literature

Various peer-reviewed and clinical resources provide evidence about the interplay of individual, social, and financial aspects that impact mental health conditions. These conditions can further impact an individual’s ability to make sound judgments and decisions and burden an individual emotionally and financially. A Harvard report in 2022 states thirty-six percent of young adults suffer from anxiety and twenty-nine percent from anxiety (Harvard, 2023). There were various reasons listed in this report, namely 58% saying they have no purpose or meaning, 56% stating financial issues, 51% achievement concerns, 45% feeling things are falling apart, 44% in a deficit relationship, 34% feeling loneliness and others for social and political reason (Harvard, 2023).

Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) highlights the prevalence of mental health and demonstrates the types of mental health concerns by stating the nature of the disorders (CDC, 2023). It demonstrates mental health concerns as short-term, episodic, discrete, and long-lasting, accounting for 200 different types of disorders (CDC, 2023). Bezerra et al. (2021) say that Common Mental Disorders (CMD), which are present in Sophia as well, are higher in females. The reasons could be socio-cultural aspects developing complex roles of women at home, at work, or in society. It can also be due to biological vulnerability linked to the reproductive cycle.

NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 1 Assessing the Problem Leadership Collaboration Communication Change Management and Policy Considerations

The studies say that CMD can significantly impact the quality of life negatively (Bezerra et al., 2021). The National Institute of Medical Health (NIMH) also highlights the prevalence of mental illness in 2021, with 57.8 million US adults affected, a higher ratio of females accounting for 27.2% while males 18.1% (NIMH, 2023). It also highlights that the highest prevalence age group is 18-25, accounting for 33.7% (NIMH, 2023). These statistics show the importance of addressing the mental health issues that Sophia is suffering to improve her quality of life with the help of medical interventions and nursing support.

Evaluation Criteria 

The evaluation criteria used to assess mental health issues is the CRAAP test. CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose (Renirie, 2023). The peer-reviewed literature and professional sources mentioned above are from recent years, which is 2023, making it a current source. The information is entirely relevant as it mentions the prevalence of common mental health issues in adults, particularly women, with various individual and social reasons, which is highly relevant to Sophia. The data is written by authors or reputable sources like CDC, NCBI, and NIMH. The reports and literature are thoroughly collected through surveys and research, making it accurate and purposeful.

Potential Barriers 

The potential barrier to seeking evidence-based interventions is the stigma associated with mental health issues, creating reluctance for Sophia to seek help. Additionally, fear of judgment from family and colleagues creates hesitancy and delays in addressing the issue. Lastly, there is a limitation to access mental health resources and financial constraints like consistent therapy. To address these barriers, nurses can use The Biopsychosocial Model, which encompasses the interconnection of biological, psychological, and social or environmental elements that impact a person’s mental health (Hardie, 2021). It will enable nurses to comprehensively address Sophia’s physical health, psychological well-being, and social support system. It will allow a holistic approach to Sophia’s mental health issues. 

Effect of State Board Nursing Practice Standards and Organizational or Governmental Policies

The American Nurse Association (ANA) enterprise comprises three organizations that aim to improve compliance with the regulatory framework and policy impact on healthcare delivery. ANA provides high standards of nursing practices to enhance patient outcomes and protect the rights of nursing faculty (Enterprise, n.d.). The other two entities’ roles are to provide credentialing programs and find programs to enhance nursing practices, empowering them to bring change in their lives. Further, The Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA) facilitates different health providers to train and promote the implementation of best practices in mental health disorders, notably depression and anxiety (ADAA, 2023).

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) provides educational and scientific purposes to promote psychiatric nursing practices for diverse populations. It considers the background information and potential reasons for mental health in a cultural context, which may benefit Sophia (APNA, n.d.). Apart from nursing practice policies, different organizational and government policies address mental health concerns. Medicare policies significantly assist in cost-sharing for treating mental health issues and improving quality of life under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These policies can substantially improve Sophia’s mental health and quality of life through change management.

NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 1 Assessing the Problem Leadership Collaboration Communication Change Management and Policy Considerations

It allows a high-quality care plan for her mental health concerns and access to various clinical and community-based resources to improve patient outcomes. Moreover, the Mental Health Disparity Law aligns with the Affordable Care Act, explicitly treating mental health issues as important as physical health concerns (CMS, 2023). Policies by the government for the identification of mental health issues at the primary care level are also effective for early intervention, improving accessibility for Sophia. Lastly, Anti-Stigma campaigns by organizations like WHO with Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2030 aim to debunk myths or reduce stigma and discrimination around mental health issues, ensuring Sophia is comfortable seeking help and discussing her mental conditions struggles openly (MNH, n.d.). 

Policy Effects on Nursing Scope Of Practice

These policies significantly impact the nursing scope of practice because they allow nurses to lead. As frontline health providers, nurses interact with patients the most, which is crucial for efficient and effective performance within ethical and legal guidelines. The nurses excel in their responsibilities with enhanced skills, education, and training. Adhering to the abovementioned standards and policies enables nurses to legally and ethically abide by rules and guidelines, improving their performance (ANA Enterprise, n.d.). With their expertise, they can allocate and impact policies and enhance accessibility. 

Leadership Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes

Leadership is essential to guiding the team, supporting and bringing change, and policy advocacy. For Sophia, leadership roles mean guiding her toward effective treatment options and coping strategies. As frontline healthcare providers, nurse leaders inspire or influence their colleagues and patients. Nursing leadership can use any or a combination of leadership styles, but the transactional leadership style effectively manages mental health concerns (Bonatch, 2023). Transactional leadership entails exchanging skills, knowledge, and resources among all stakeholders. To practice this leadership style, nurses promote shared decision-making among healthcare providers, nurses, and patients. 

Nurses collaborate with different disciplines, such as psychiatrists, nurses, community services, and other relevant fields, to improve health outcomes. The collaboration will assist in developing a patient-centered healthcare plan for Sophia. The therapist, psychiatrist, and family members will support the patient emotionally (Bonatch, 2023). Nurses also enhance patient communication through effective strategies like building trust and comfort by listening to patients’ concerns and treat empathetically.

A nurse can adopt therapeutic communication, improving the relationship with the patient while interacting (Sharma & Gupta, 2023). The skill of developing trust with patients (Sophia) provides the necessary information to address factors impacting mental health issues and financial assistance through the Medicare program. It will enable them to make personalized interventions and guide Sophia effectively by addressing all factors, involving her in a shared decision-making process, and enhancing satisfaction. 

Role of Change Management Strategies

Change management strategies involve awareness and education to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and improve understanding of available resources. It also involves new policies involving primary care providers in mental health support, which can help identify and address mental health issues promptly (Peterson et al., 2023). Involving all stakeholders in shared decision-making is key, including various mental health professionals, Sophia, her family, and nurses. Further, training programs for healthcare personnel, especially nurses, are essential to enhance skills and knowledge for personalized care. Lastly, it is crucial to monitor change initiatives and evaluate their impact on a patient’s mental health. It involves feedback from patients and healthcare personnel to ensure strategies are effective and according to the needs of the individual (Peterson et al., 2023). 

In addressing the mental health issues of Sophia, lifestyle change is essential. The reasons like social isolation and loneliness with no motivation are dangerous for her mental health. There is a need to integrate physical activities to cope with mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Breathing exercises and yoga for dealing with health issues are essential to control overwhelming mental health conditions. Integrating technology to measure her daily physical activity and sleep cycle is a crucial and effective way to track progress (Latorre et al., 2022). These strategies aim to improve the quality of life in the long term, ideally making Sophia self-manage her depression and anxiety. 

Documents the practicum hours

The practicum hours with Sophia at the clinic are documented. The details are recorded based on the interaction and information provided by Sophia. The strategies are enlisted to improve patient outcomes by delivering patient-centered care and enhancing patient satisfaction. 

Conclusion

This capstone project assessed mental health issues, namely depression and anxiety, in a 25-year-old Sophia. The assessment addressed peer-reviewed and professional literature to understand the prevalence of mental health issues and their impact on an individual’s productivity and society. Further, policies are analyzed, promoting a personalized care plan for Sophia and enhancing the nurses’ role in addressing mental health issues. Lastly, the transactional leadership style is utilized to devise collaboration, communication, and change management strategies for Sophia’s mental health concerns and enhance patient satisfaction. 

References

ADAA. (2023). Home | Anxiety and depression association of America, ADAA. Adaa.org. https://adaa.org/ 

ANA Enterprise. (n.d.). About ANA enterprise. ANA. https://www.nursingworld.org/ana-enterprise/about-us/#:~:text=The%20American%20Nurses%20Association 

APNA. (n.d.). About association for psychiatric nursing and mental health. APNA. https://www.apna.org/about-apna/#:~:text=APNA%20Mission%20%26%20Purpose&text=It%20provides%20leadership%20to%20promote 

NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 1 Assessing the Problem Leadership Collaboration Communication Change Management and Policy Considerations

Bonatch, M. (2023). Leadership in nursing: Qualities & why it matters. American Nurses Association. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/leadership-in-nursing/ 

CDC. (2023, April 25). About mental health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm 

CMS. (2023, September 6). The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) | CMS. Www.cms.gov. https://www.cms.gov/marketplace/private-health-insurance/mental-health-parity-addiction-equity 

Cook, B. L., Flores, M., Zuvekas, S. H., Newhouse, J. P., Hsu, J., Sonik, R., Lee, E., & Fung, V. (2020). The impact of Medicare’s mental health cost-sharing parity on use of mental health care services. Health Affairs39(5), 819–827. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.01008 

Hardie, M. (2021, October 10). Three aspects of health and healing: The biopsychosocial model in medicine. Department of Surgery. https://surgery.wustl.edu/three-aspects-of-health-and-healing-the-biopsychosocial-model/#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Cbiopsychosocial%20(BPS)%20model 

Harvard. (2023, October 24). Mental health challenges of young adults illuminated in new report | Harvard Graduate School of Education. Www.gse.harvard.edu. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/news/23/10/mental-health-challenges-young-adults-illuminated-new-report 

Latorre, A. A., Algorta, G. P., Guzmán, C. N., Ripoll, M. J. S., & Blázquez, B. O. (2022). Effectiveness of a lifestyle modification programme in the treatment of depression symptoms in primary care. Frontiers in Medicine9, 954644. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2022.954644 

NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 1 Assessing the Problem Leadership Collaboration Communication Change Management and Policy Considerations

MNH. (n.d.). Anti-stigma campaign. World Health Organization – Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. https://www.emro.who.int/mnh/campaigns/anti-stigma-campaign.html 

NIMH. (2023, March). Mental illness. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness 

Peterson, K. A., Solberg, L. I., Carlin, C., Fu, H., Jacobsen, R., & Eder, M. (2023). Successful change management strategies for improving diabetes care delivery among high-performing practices. Annals of Family Medicine21(5), 424–431. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.3017 

Renirie, R. (2023, August 30). Research guides: Website research: CRAAP Test. Libguides.cmich.edu. https://libguides.cmich.edu/web_research/craap#:~:text=CRAAP%20stands%20for%20Currency%2C%20Relevance 

Shalit, B., & Gettas, M. (2020). Mental health crisis: Delaware Journal of Public Health6(2), 44–46. https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2020.07.013 

Sharma, N., & Gupta, V. (2023, August 2). Therapeutic communication. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567775/ 

WHO. (2022, June 17). Mental health. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoKeuBhCoARIsAB4Wxte8ursn6vmtaMwDdwpZQ0_wqhYzRK50bfsui5OQnGfPqoaA8SI0bzUaAnOBEALw_wcB 

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