Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to K R Puskar.
Clients in long-term facilities carry a wide array of psychiatric diagnoses, often with equally diverse medical problems. This "back ward" population requires a specialized area of psychiatric mental health nursing practice. The need for comprehensive assessment and adequate interventions, and the various frustrations of nursing staff, are discussed using a case example.
Child/youth problems and psychiatric hospitalizations are increasing. A literature review suggests that there is an increased need for more nurses with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in this specialty area. The review also suggests that providing psychiatric nursing consultation services is one way to help direct care staff to strengthen or develop these skills. The authors describe a consultation project that took place on a newly developed 15-bed adolescent program in a 30-bed private psychiatric hospital. They examine the effectiveness of consultation sessions, ascertained through both verbal and written evaluations of staff members. The outcome suggests that psychiatric nursing consultation services can be an important contribution in expanding the knowledge base of direct care staff (child care specialists and nurses) who work with the hospitalized adolescent psychiatric patient.
The separation-individuation process is played out in similar ways by toddlers and teenagers. Child and adolescent psychiatric nurses may have a better appreciation of the subtleties and complexities in dealing with behaviors of these patients with a comparison of the two groups. This paper discusses similarities in behaviors of toddlers and teens and presents theory-based guidelines for interventions with clients in these age groups.
TOPIC: The theoretical base, implementation, and effectiveness of Teaching Kids to Cope (TKC). PURPOSE: To inform clinicians about the benefits and uses of TKC, a 10-week psychoeducational group intervention designed to enhance the coping repertoire of adolescents. SOURCE: Authors' clinical experience. CONCLUSIONS: Following the TKC intervention, students demonstrated less depressive symptomatology and improved coping behaviors. Further research is needed to test the intervention on a larger group and to determine its effectiveness.
This article analyzes the literature related to adolescent geographic relocation. A model of transitions developed by Chick & Meleis (1986) is the basis for the analysis. This analysis suggests that adolescent relocation is a type of life transition, and the relocated adolescents constitute an at-risk population for health status alterations. The relocation transition is defined and its dimensions delineated through the literature review. Preventive nursing intervention for future research and theory development related to adolescent geographic relocation are proposed.
Current statistics show a marked increase in suicides among adolescents 15 to 19 years of age. The literature suggests an increase in the use of lethal methods such as firearms by young suicide attempters. Studies show that most adolescent suicide completers have never received mental health treatment, although the majority had exhibited psychiatric symptoms previous to their deaths. This review of the literature identifies the characteristics and precipitants of suicidal behavior among adolescents. The literature clearly indicates a need for suicide awareness and prevention programs and for the early identification of teenagers at risk for suicidal behaviors. The most logical location for suicide prevention programs and activities is in the schools where the greatest number of adolescents can be reached. The master's-prepared psychiatric mental health nurse in a consultive and collaborative role can be instrumental in the successful formation and execution of these programs. In a joint effort, school personnel and the psychiatric mental health nurse specialist may be able to decrease significantly the number of suicidal behaviors among adolescents.
Relocation affects approximately 20% of the people in the United States. The review of literature indicates that adolescents, already in a vulnerable developmental stage, are particularly susceptible to many stressors related to relocation. These stressors impact on the adolescents' physical welfare, social/peer relationships, school performance, emotionality, and coping behaviors. School professionals can collaborate with psychiatric mental health nurse consultants to help facilitate the adolescents' positive coping with relocation. A health-promotion model to use when working with these adolescents is illustrated.
The psychiatric/mental health nurse clinical specialist is a professional who brings unique skills to the area of mental health prevention. Adolescents are an at-risk population in need of preventive mental health services. This article describes the unique features of a nurse-led adolescent prevention program. A specific Adolescent Coping Skills Group format, which uses the skills of the master's prepared psychiatric nurse, is presented.
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This article presents an overview of distance mental health screening using Teleform. This technology provides nurses with the ability to have questionnaires administered in one location then processed and scored rapidly at a location some distance away by using a facsimile system and Teleform. The authors examine the process of using Teleform, cite its advantages and disadvantages, discuss its application with rural youth, and suggest implications for school personnel and health-care providers. Technology has facilitated many changes in health-care delivery and increasingly will be instrumental in creating changes. Computer technology can help nursing deliver services swiftly to larger populations.