Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Major
Nursing
Date of Defense
7-10-2024
Graduate Advisor
Brittania Phillips DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Committee
Lisa Green, Ph.D., RN
Evangeline Bauer, MSW, LCSW
Abstract
Abstract
Problem: The United States is experiencing a growing demand for pediatric mental health support. Surges in mental health diagnoses and psychotropic medication prescriptions have occurred, compounded by a shortage of psychiatric providers. Non-prescribing mental health professionals are well-positioned to recognize psychotropic medication side effects. However, psychologists and counselors lack formal pharmacology education.
Methods: The quality improvement (QI) initiative was guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. The evidence-based psychopharmacologic education for non-prescribers utilized a quasi-experimental pre- and post- test design. Data collected from clinicians included knowledge, confidence, and skill concerning psychotropic medications. The Psychotropic Medication Monitoring Checklist (PMMC) screen clients aged 3-17 years presenting to an outpatient multidisciplinary clinic within an eight-week period. Data collected from clients included age, race, gender, and number of psychotropic medications prescribed. Clinicians use the PMMC to identify medication side effects and subsequent care collaborations with caregivers and/or prescribers.
Results: The brief education was statically significantly in improving clinician knowledge, confidence, and skill about psychotropic medications in eight out of nine measures, and all survey results proved clinically significant. Seven clients were screened with the PMMC for psychotropic medication side effects, resulting in the identification of eight medication side effects and two interdisciplinary care collaborations.
Implications for Practice: Psychopharmacology education and screening for non-prescribing mental health professionals could increase clinical knowledge and care collaboration.
Recommended Citation
Fitzgerald, Elaine, "Bridging the Gap: Psychopharmacologic Education and Side Effect Screening for Non-Prescribing Mental Health Professionals" (2024). Dissertations. 1443.
https://irl.umsl.edu/dissertation/1443
Additional Files
Elaine Poster Draft June 18.pptx (630 kB)PMMC_User_Manual_-2017-03-02.pdf (433 kB)
Included in
Behavioral Medicine Commons, Child Psychology Commons, Counselor Education Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Interprofessional Education Commons, Other Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Pediatric Nursing Commons, Pediatrics Commons, Pharmacology Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Commons, Psychiatry Commons, Quality Improvement Commons, Social Work Commons, Therapeutics Commons