NR 505 Week 1 Area of Interest in NP

Student Name

Chamberlain University

NR-505: Advanced Research Methods: Evidence-Based Practice

Prof. Name:

Date

Area of Interest in Nurse Practitioner (NP) Practice

An area of significant interest to me in nurse practitioner (NP) practice is the mental health of patients, specifically addressing depression and anxiety. I recommend implementing routine mental health screenings for depression and anxiety at least once a year for every patient during their primary care appointments. Depression is a prevalent mental health issue, affecting an estimated 17.3 million adults, which constitutes 7.1% of the U.S. adult population (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017). Despite its prevalence, many patients remain undiagnosed due to various barriers, such as stigmas surrounding mental health diagnoses and a lack of awareness (Aci et al., 2018). Depression and anxiety have a profound impact on individuals, affecting their daily functioning and overall quality of life. Routine screenings would help identify individuals who may benefit from early intervention, leading to better treatment outcomes. Incorporating depression and anxiety screenings as part of the standard primary care process can reduce suicide rates, improve the accuracy of diagnoses, and foster better patient-provider relationships (Chamberlain University, 2021).

Recommended Change in NP Practice

I recommend incorporating evidence-based practices to implement routine mental health screenings for depression and anxiety. Evidence shows that regular screening can lead to more timely diagnoses and improve the overall quality of care delivered to patients. Furthermore, addressing mental health during primary care visits can lead to better outcomes, including fewer missed diagnoses and improved treatment plans (Geyti et al., 2018). By utilizing evidence-based practices, nurse practitioners can help improve the mental well-being of patients while fostering a more supportive healthcare environment. Additionally, addressing mental health in primary care has been shown to lead to higher patient and provider satisfaction, as well as enhanced care delivery (Chamberlain University, 2021). The integration of these practices into daily routines will allow for early identification and more effective management of mental health conditions, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Table: Area of Interest in NP Practice

Topic	Description	Evidence and Recommended Change
Scope of the Issue	Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are prevalent, with 17.3 million adults affected.	Routine screening for depression and anxiety should be implemented for all patients during their primary care visits to address this widespread concern. (National Institute of Mental Health, 2017)
Relevance to Practice	Mental health conditions significantly impact patients’ quality of life and daily functioning.	Addressing mental health concerns through annual screenings leads to early intervention, better treatment outcomes, and higher patient satisfaction. (Chamberlain University, 2021)
Recommended Change	Incorporate evidence-based depression and anxiety screenings into routine primary care appointments.	Routine screenings have been shown to improve diagnoses, reduce suicides, and enhance overall healthcare outcomes. (Geyti et al., 2018)

References

Aci, M., Zhang, S., Chomanczuk, A. H., O’Brian, K. H., De Zitella, M. L. M., Scrifanim, P. R., Velez, L., Garay, E., Sezer, S., Little, V., Cleek, A., & McKay, M. M. (2018). Barriers and facilitators to mental health screening efforts for families in pediatric primary care. Journal of Family Social Work, 21(3), 191-199. https://doi.org/10.1080/10522158.2018.1429212

Chamberlain University. (2021, September 1). Week 1 lesson: Evidence-based practice [Lecture notes]. https://chamberlain.instructure.com/courses/87542/pages/week-1-research-evidencebased-practice-and-quality-improvement?module_item_id=12780895