Pioneering the Psychiatric Nurse Role in Foster Care

Abstract

Older youth served in the foster care system have elevated rates of mental health disorders and are high users of mental health services, yet concerns have been raised about the quality of this care. This paper describes the details of a psychiatric nurse’s work within a multidisciplinary team to address gaps in care for older youth with psychiatric disorders. We describe the process, outcomes, and lessons learned in developing and piloting a psychiatric nurse intervention for older youth in the foster care system as part of a multidimensional treatment foster care program. Our experiences support further work to develop a role for nursing to improve the quality of mental health treatment in foster care.

Health problems and healthcare needs among youth in Swedish secure residential care

“…Children and adolescents are more susceptible to these kinds of side effects than are adults (Narendorf, Bertram, & McMillen, 2011; Panagiotopoulos, Ronsley, Elbe, Davidson, & Smith, ). Poly‐medication is an especially complex issue, which requires specialist competence, and close attention to potential side effects (Bertram, Narendorf, & McMillen, ; Crismon & Argo, ; Zito et al, ). Poly‐medication with psychotropics for children/youth in out‐of‐home care often involves prescriptions from several different clinics.…”

“…Poly‐medication with psychotropics for children/youth in out‐of‐home care often involves prescriptions from several different clinics. It seems to be especially common among children/youth who have experienced several changes of care environments (Bertram, Narendorf, & McMillen, ; McMillen, Fedoravicious, Rowe, Zima, & Ware, ; Narendorf et al, ). Results from several studies question the often alleged benefits of psychotropic medications on placement stability and rates of disruptive behaviour of children/youth in out‐of‐home care (Bellonci et al, ; Lee, Walker, & Bishop, ; Tai, Shaw, & dos Rheis, ).…”

Mental Health Needs of Adolescents and the Nursing Cares: Integrative Review

“…Main diagnoses: self-neglecting; impaired verbal communication; fear; unbalanced nutrition; more than the real needs; sedentary lifestyle; and anxiety. 5,12 Adolescent skills and competences Garmy P, et al 2014. 13 Gampetro P, et al 2012.…”

“…Monitor and instruct; encourage and motivate; support and understand; and educate for life with empathy are highlighted as important activities. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] In addition to these techniques, on-line interventions are innovative and promote a broader perspective of the target audience through topics, such as: the teenager assuming the role of mentor; the on-line discussion forum as a safe space; friendship within the on-line forum; flexible help; and peer support for relapse prevention and recovery. Thus, self-care in mental health emerges as a consistent tool in acting with young people, as the decision to participate in a discussion forum can be interpreted as a proactive self-care, in addition to generating contributions for young people with eating disorders.…”

“…Risk factors for mental health problems in the adolescent population include violence (including bullying), poverty, humiliation, feeling of devaluation, family environment, living in foster homes, sociodemographic conditions, and so on. [3][4][5] Moreover, the demand for care by adolescents in the context of mental health services is mainly due to the altered behavior in the social environment, in which they are inserted, for example, with behaviors such as agitation, crimes, and thefts, among others. Most of these adolescents are referred by the school to the Guardianship Council and the Basic Health Unit, 6 which does not always have a team prepared to act on their real health needs.…”