Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Embargo Period
3-27-2020
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Family Nurse Practioner
Year Degree Awarded
2020
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
Serious mental illness, collaborative care, cancer and mental illness, integrated care, care coordination
Advisor
Terri Black, DNP, MBA, CRRN, FAHA, FAAN
DNP Project Chair
Terri Black, DNP, MBA, CRRN, FAHA, FAAN
DNP Project Outside Member Name
Manjola Ujkaj, MD, PhD, MBA
Abstract
Background and Review of Literature: Cancer has been associated with up to a 30 percent higher case fatality rate among adults living with serious mental illness (SMI) although their incidence is similar to that of the general population. This disparity has been attributed to healthcare system, health care provider, community/policy, family caregiver and individual patient factors.
Purpose: To provide community mental health care clinicians with knowledge and skills to effectively function in the key role as care coordinators in the clinical-community relationship in efforts to assist persons with serious mental illness access effective, efficient, safe, timely, equitable and person-centered care across the continuum of cancer care.
Methods: This is quality improvement project in which the care coordination knowledge, attitude and practice of Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) team clinicians at a community mental health agency was assessed using a survey questionnaire. An educational intervention on the collaborative care model (coordinated or concurrent care) to improve practice was provided to this group of workers.
Implementation plan/Procedure: Two (2) 60-minute educational presentation on care coordination/collaboration were provided to community mental health clinicians mid-December 2019. The University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass) Internal Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained prior to the implementation of this DNP Project.
Implications/Conclusion: Care coordination efforts have the promise to solidify interdisciplinary collaboration in care delivery and in effect improve physical health outcomes by facilitating the attainment of cancer care goals for people living with SMI.
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