Evaluation of Care Coordination Plan- Integrating Best Practices and Literature Review
Evaluation of Care Coordination Plan- Integrating Best Practices and Literature Review
Care coordination is a critical aspect of the healthcare delivery process (Hannigan et al., 2018). There are several community resources that are critical in the care coordination plan. Adherence to set policies and ethical standards is critical during the formulation of a care coordination plan. The care coordination plan to be formulated is for a patient diagnosed with a mental health disorder plus several other underlying conditions.
Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that greatly affects an individual’s ability to think, feel, or behave appropriately. Patients with schizophrenia commonly present with delusions, disorganized speech and behavior, reduced interest in activities that previously excited them, and auditory hallucinations, among other symptoms (McCutcheon et al., 2020). Complications that may arise as a result of schizophrenia include suicide and thoughts of self-harm, depression, alcohol and substance use, and obsessive-compulsive disorders, among others.
Health Care Issues.
Depression is a commonly observed symptom in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients diagnosed with depression tend to have a poorer prognosis when compared to patients without depression (Rossi et al., 2017). The diagnosis of depression in schizophrenia is made difficult as a result of depression-like extrapyramidal side effects commonly associated with the use of antipsychotics or other organic conditions that may lead to depression. Depression may also ensue as a result of the strain associated with the disease. In addition, the stigma surrounding individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia may predispose them to depression.
Most patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental disorders tend to turn to the use of alcohol, drugs, and other substances as a coping mechanism. This is because the initial stages of a mental disorder such as schizophrenia tend to be a very stressful period (Brunette et al., 2018). Lack of proper mental health care and awareness greatly predisposes to the use of alcohol and other drugs. The use of these drugs tends to induce relapses and, in most instances, increases the severity of the symptoms observed.
Suicide and the risk of self-harm is common among people diagnosed with schizophrenia. Research estimates that approximately five to thirteen percent of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia die of suicide (Sher & Kahn, 2019). Social isolation, a feeling of hopelessness, stigma, and family rejection in some instances, and declining health status are just but a few of the reasons associated with suicide among schizophrenic patients. Most people who commit suicide tend to do so with the fear that their current situation is only becoming worse.
Intervention.
Patient-centered interventions are critical in the management of depression associated with schizophrenia. Patient-centered care involves keeping the patient busy by assigning him a task to complete. This is critical in engaging the patient and distracting him from thinking about his situation (Tee et al., 2020). Formulating a daily routine plays a key role in enhancing self-management, providing hope, and changing the patient’s view of his condition, consequently reducing the risk of depressive symptoms.
Alcohol consumption and drug use are other common complications associated with schizophrenia. Patient-centered interventions include family engagement to constantly monitor the patient’s daily alcohol consumption. It is also important to get rid of any alcohol and any other drugs that may be abused that are within the patient’s immediate reach. Enrolling the patient in a support group to help deal with any addiction is another key intervention in curbing this problem (Marchand et al., 2019).
Suicide risk and any other forms of self-harm in schizophrenic patients can be prevented by ensuring that any items that can be used to inflict self-harm are kept far away from high-risk individuals. Teaching coping mechanisms and other problem-solving skills to individuals at high risk of suicide, as well as engaging these people in community programs to minimize social isolation, is also key in minimizing the risk of suicide, especially among schizophrenics.
Community Resources.
Community programs designed for those with depression include the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago helpline, Bright Star Community Outreach trauma counseling, and the Chicago Department of Public Health Mental Health Centres teletherapy (Cuevas et al., 2019). All these programs are designed to aid those battling depression and other overwhelming traumatic events.
Chicago Connects is one of the community programs in