NURS FPX 6021 Assessment 3 Quality Improvement Presentation Poster

NURS-FPX 6021 Biopsychosocial Concepts for Advanced Nursing Practice 1

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction

Patients often present with respiratory issues of varying severity, which necessitate admission to the pulmonary ward for treatment. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) is a prevalent issue among these patients, and treatment typically involves a combination of interventions tailored to the individual’s condition.

Physical Treatment for COPD

Treatment for COPD primarily focuses on improving patients’ physical health through interventions such as antibiotic therapy, non-invasive ventilation, and pulmonary rehabilitation. However, mental health considerations are often overlooked despite the strong correlation between COPD and anxiety/depression.

Mental Health Implications

COPD patients with comorbid anxiety and depression face increased hospitalization rates, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality risks post-discharge. Neglecting mental health can adversely affect treatment compliance and overall well-being.

Anxiety and COPD

Anxiety symptoms in COPD patients, particularly dyspnea, often exacerbate distress. Although anxiety may not directly cause dyspnea, it can signal acute exacerbations, requiring prompt attention.

Depression and COPD

Depression significantly affects quality of life and physical activity levels in COPD patients. However, it’s often underdiagnosed and undertreated, leading to worsened COPD symptoms and decreased adherence to therapy.

Addressing Mental Health: Change Strategies

Effective management of anxiety and depression in COPD patients necessitates mental health interventions alongside physical treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a proven method for managing these conditions, focusing on identifying and modifying unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Implementation Challenges

Implementing CBT may be challenging due to patient reluctance, resource limitations, and practical constraints within healthcare settings. Group therapy sessions and training nurses in CBT can help expand access to treatment and alleviate some of these challenges.

Pharmacological Interventions

Pharmacological treatments for anxiety and depression exist but may pose risks, particularly in COPD patients. Non-pharmacological interventions like CBT and group therapy offer alternatives without contraindications.

Expected Outcomes

By integrating mental health care into COPD treatment, patients can better manage both physical and psychological symptoms, leading to improved quality of life and treatment adherence.

Conclusion

Addressing the mental health needs of COPD patients is essential for comprehensive care and improved outcomes. Implementing change strategies like CBT and group therapy can enhance access to mental health interventions and ultimately benefit patient well-being.

References

Dursunoğlu, N., Köktürk, N., Baha, A., Bilge, A. K., Börekçi, Ş., Çiftçi, F., . . . Turkish Thoracic Society-COPD Comorbidity Group. (2016). Comorbidities and their impact on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Tüberküloz ve Toraks, 64(4), 289–298. Heslop, K., Newton, J., Baker, C., Burns, G., Carrick-Sen, D., & De Soyza, A. (2013).

Effectiveness of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) interventions for anxiety in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) undertaken by respiratory nurses: The COPD CBT CARE study: (ISRCTN55206395). BMC Pulmonary Medicine, 13(1). Howard, C., & Dupont, S. (2014). ‘

The COPD breathlessness manual’: A randomised controlled trial to test a cognitive-behavioural manual versus information booklets on health service use, mood and health status, in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, 24.

NHS. (2016a). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). https://nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/treatment/ 

NHS. (2016b). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). https://nhs.uk/conditions/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/ 

Pooler, A., & Beech, R. (2014). Examining the relationship between anxiety and depression and exacerbations of COPD which result in hospital admission: A systematic review. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Dise