We’ll write everything from scratch Question The FNP is conducting a routine follow-up on a patient with depression. The patient reports she is feeling like she can’t go on anymore. The FNP routine follow-up on a patient with depression The FNP learned that this patient discontinued her medication three weeks ago because she couldn’t afford it. What should the FNP do in this situation? Support your response.
The FNP routine follow-up on a patient with depression
As a healthcare provider, it is crucial to understand the importance of patient adherence to medications and the implications of medication non-adherence on mental health outcomes. In this scenario, the patient’s medication discontinuation due to financial constraints has led to a recurrence of depressive symptoms. Therefore, the FNP should take appropriate steps to address this issue to ensure that the patient receives appropriate treatment and care.
The first step the FNP should take is to assess the patient’s current mental health status. The FNP should ask open-ended questions to understand the severity of the patient’s symptoms and whether they pose a risk to the patient’s safety. Based on the patient’s response, the FNP should determine whether hospitalization or referral to a mental health specialist is necessary. In addition, the FNP should conduct a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s social determinants of health, including their financial situation, to identify potential barriers to accessing mental health services and medication.
The FNP should explore alternative medication options that are affordable and may be covered by the patient’s insurance or available through a patient assistance program. The FNP should also consider non-pharmacologic interventions such as psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or mindfulness-based interventions. The FNP should work with the patient to develop a treatment plan tailored to their needs, preferences, and financial situation.
Research has shown that medication non-adherence is a significant barrier to achieving positive mental health outcomes. A study by van Geffen et al. (2019) found that medication non-adherence was associated with an increased risk of psychiatric hospitalization and increased use of healthcare resources. The study highlights the importance of identifying and addressing barriers to medication adherence, such as financial constraints, to improve mental health outcomes.
Moreover, a study by Sankaranarayanan et al. (2020) reported that non-adherence to medication could lead to an increase in depressive symptoms, which can have a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life. The study suggests that healthcare providers should routinely assess medication adherence and take appropriate steps to address any issues that may arise.
References
Sankaranarayanan, J., Karimkhani, E., & Polonsky, W. H. (2020). The association between medication adherence and depressive symptomatology in adults with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review. Diabetes research and clinical practice, 168, 108371.
van Geffen, E. C., Hermsen, J., Heerdink, E. R., Egberts, A. C., & Verbeek-Heida, P. M. (2019). Medication adherence and the risk of psychiatric hospitalization: a population-based cohort study. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 54(5), 559-567.