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Psychotropic prescriptive patterns among nurse practitioners in nonpsychiatric settings
1College of Nursing, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA.
Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Primary care nurse practitioners frequently treat mental illness, with depression and anxiety being most common. Many prescribe psychotropic medications, highlighting a need for enhanced psychopharmacology education.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Psychiatry
- Primary Care
Background:
- Primary care settings are increasingly managing mental health conditions.
- Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in delivering accessible mental health care.
- Understanding current NP practices is vital for improving mental health treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore mental health care treatment provided by primary care nurse practitioners.
- To identify common mental illnesses encountered in primary care.
- To examine the role of NPs in psychotropic medication prescription.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire was administered to 42 primary care nurse practitioners across various specialties.
- Data collected focused on mental health care management within their practice.
- Descriptive analysis of reported practices and encountered disorders.
Main Results:
- 95% of NPs reported treating clients with mental illness.
- Depression and anxiety disorders were the most prevalent.
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder was common in pediatric practices.
- 76% of NPs prescribed psychotropic medications.
Conclusions:
- Primary care NPs are integral to mental health treatment, managing a wide range of psychiatric disorders.
- Significant NP involvement in psychotropic prescribing necessitates specialized training.
- Continuing education in psychopharmacology is recommended for primary care NPs.