Implementing a client-centered learning module in an adolescent mental health urgent care center.

Burt, Danielle and Chau, Davina and Dabbs, Summer and Nguyen, Jennifer (2018) Implementing a client-centered learning module in an adolescent mental health urgent care center. Masters thesis, Stanbridge University.

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Abstract

This project explored opportunities for occupational therapy (OT), in an adolescent mental health setting as consultants and educators. The researchers fulfilled these roles by identifying needs in an adolescent mental health urgent care such as a poor therapeutic atmosphere and ineffective client-provider communication. The researchers developed and implemented a training program for the staff to address these identified needs within the facility. The needs identified by the authors were consistent with a review of the literature, which found that adolescents who visited mental health centers viewed therapeutic engagement as the most important factor that determined their satisfaction with care. The literature also revealed that nurses often reported a lack of job satisfaction due to feeling inadequately prepared to work with adolescents in the mental health unit. Although there are effective training programs for mental health nurses who work in adult settings, there is a need for training programs specifically geared towards mental health nurses working with adolescents. The purpose of this project was to develop a training program for the staff of the project’s host facility to enhance therapeutic engagement and increase job satisfaction. Utilizing the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model and the self-efficacy theory of learning, the authors developed a training module that focused on active listening skills, compassionate listening, setting limits assertively, and effective methods of communication, and psychoeducation on signs and symptoms of different diagnoses. The authors conducted an in-service for the urgent care staff and presented them with a manual that included instructions on how to run successful groups with adolescents. The staff was receptive to the training as exhibited by their eagerness to participate in the discussion and by demonstrating comprehension of the material during role-play activities. The researchers attempted to measure the effect of the training on compassion and satisfaction, nevertheless, the results of the measure were inconclusive. Limitations included an underdeveloped communication system within the facility, scheduling conflicts between the staff and the authors, and inconclusive results. Although the researchers were granted access to observe and run groups with the adolescents in the facility, the inability to survey the facility’s adolescent clients who are in the unit was a barrier as the authors could not get qualitative data to determine whether clients perceived an increase in engagement after the training in-service. Occupational therapists offer a unique approach to mental health care through their holistic theories and interventions. This project was an example of how occupational therapists could be effective consultants and educators to other disciplines who seek to improve the therapeutic environment within their facility.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Additional Information:	Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) degree.
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Depositing User:	Fred Poling
Date Deposited:	13 Mar 2019 16:17
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2022 22:04
URI:	http://repository.stanbridge.edu/id/eprint/13

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