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Psychiatric symptoms in a community-based medically ill population
C W Kennedy1, B J Polivka, J S Steel
1Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, USA.
Home Healthcare Nurse
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Home health nurses found psychiatric symptoms in 74% of medically ill clients. Somatic concerns, anxiety, and depressive mood were most common, with some clients experiencing severe symptoms requiring attention.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Nursing
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Home health nursing involves caring for medically ill clients in their homes.
- Identifying psychiatric symptoms is crucial for comprehensive client care.
- The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in this population is not well-documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms among medically ill clients receiving home health care.
- To identify the most common psychiatric symptoms observed in this population.
- To inform nursing care strategies for clients with psychiatric comorbidities.
Main Methods:
- A convenience sample of 176 medically ill clients was assessed.
- Twenty-five home health nurses utilized the Psychiatric Symptom Assessment Scale.
- Nurses documented observed psychiatric symptoms in their caseloads.
Main Results:
- Psychiatric symptoms were prevalent in 74% of the medically ill clients.
- The most frequent symptoms included somatic concerns, anxiety, depressive mood, tension, and helplessness/hopelessness.
- While most symptoms were mild to moderate, a subset of clients exhibited severe symptoms.
Conclusions:
- A high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms exists in medically ill home health clients.
- Nurses play a vital role in identifying and assessing these symptoms.
- Findings underscore the need for integrated mental health care within home health services.