The same but different: discussing the literature regarding mental health nurses' difficulty in meeting the physical health needs of service users, regardless of differing education programmes

Abstract

In the Western world, there is increasing concern regarding the ability of health care professionals to meet the physical health care needs of those diagnosed with mental illness. This discussion paper seeks to explore some of the issues facing mental health nurses in delivering care to those who have both mental and physical illness. Criticism of the National Health Service for failing to meet the physical health needs of people with serious mental illness has generated a number of political strategies aimed at addressing inequalities between mental and physical health care, a consequence being a change in pre-registration nurse education. It is envisaged that such changes will enable all nurses to deliver safe, effective care to service users, with adult and mental health nurses being more adept at meeting both the mental and physical health needs of those in their care. The impact of three key areas identified within the literature will be considered: the impact of co-existing physical and mental illness; the role of mental health nurses and perceptions of service users re physical health care; and education, training and learning from others in the Western world. In conclusion, the complexities of delivering such care will be addressed.

The provision of physical health care by nurses to young people with first episode psychosis: A cross‐sectional study

“…The findings of this study support previous research that nurses’ educational preparation influenced their physical health care practices in the mental health setting (Blythe & White, ; Hayman‐White et al., ; Walker & McAndrew, ) and expands previous findings to the care of young people experiencing first episode psychosis. When providing care to young people with psychosis comprehensive/generalist prepared nurses reported they would provide more integrated and complex physical health care practices than psychiatric/mental health prepared nurses.…”

“…Stanley and Laugharne () claim that positive mental health outcomes are linked to the provision of effective physical health care such as the assessment and management of lifestyle risk factors, early diagnosis and treatment of physical comorbidities and regular health monitoring and screening procedures. Yet, historically mental health professionals have focused on providing care to improve the person's mental health and their physical health has not been viewed as a priority area of care (Gray & Brown, ; Hetrick et al., ; Howard & Gamble, ; Walker & McAndrew, ). This focus has increased service users’ risk of developing comorbid physical health problems and of these problems not being identified or treated (Mai, Holman, Sanfilippo, Emery, & Stewart, ; Martin, ).…”

“…Some authors have highlighted that nurses' skill and confidence level to provide physical health care may be associated with their educational preparation as a nurse (Blythe & White, 2012;Hayman-White, Happell, Charleston, & Ryan, 2007;Walker & McAndrew, 2015). In some countries, for example Australia, nurses' graduate from comprehensive/generalist nursing programs and following registration, they can be employed as a first level practitioner in mental health (Hayman-White et al, 2007).…”

“…Following their initial educational preparation, these nurses may specialize at postgraduate level in the area of mental health nursing (Foster, Lewis, Marshall, & Lewis, 2013). A second group of nurses working in the mental health setting have completed specialist psychiatric/mental health nursing education programs which are available in many countries (Walker & McAndrew, 2015). These nurses are qualified to provide specialist mental health nursing care but their physical health care knowledge and skills may be less developed when compared to comprehensive/generalist nurses (Bradshaw & Pedley, 2012;Chadwick, Street, McAndrew, & Deacon, 2012;Howard & Gamble, 2011).…”

Improving care planning and coordination for service users with medical co‐morbidity transitioning between tertiary medical and primary care services

“…Furthermore, clinicians often neglect the medical health needs of people with mental disorders (Howard & Gamble , Adams et al . , Walker & McAndrew ). Improvements in the way these service users are assessed and treated, together with better care planning and coordination, will benefit these individuals, clinicians and health services (Adams et al .…”