Because psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurses (PMH APNs) are educated, credentialed, and licensed to provide the full range of mental health services (assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prescribing), they are recognized as providers who effectively address the shortage of psychiatrists (3), particularly for individuals struggling with complex mental health and social issues (4).
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Can the PMH APN workforce increase access to mental health services?
This chapter will define the role of advanced practice nurses (APNs), review a selected sample of the literature regarding what we know about APNs and patient safety/quality, and describe the …
Do APNs promote quality and patient safety?
Jun 01, 2011 · Psychiatric and mental health APNs (PMH-APNs) can evaluate and diagnose emotional illness; assist to strengthen or develop coping mechanisms; provide education …
Do PMH APNs have a scope of practice?
The WHO (2013) states that “health workers must not limit intervention to improving mental health but also attend to the physical health care needs of children, adolescents and adults …
What is the purpose of the APN?
Many integrated models use Psychiatric Mental Health (PMH) nurses as case managers and select exemplars use PMH Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) as providers. However, the …
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Jan 13, 2021 · Public health professionals can fight for policies that foster mental health and allow people living with mental illness to thrive. A public health advocate might work to reduce …
Is there a shortage of mental health professionals?
There is a recognized shortage of mental health professionals licensed to provide the full scope of mental health services, including assessment, diagnosis, and prescribing. Psychiatric mental health advanced practice nurses (PMH APNs) have the education and licensure to provide these services, address provider shortages ...
What states have the highest density of PMH APNs?
Particular states—primarily states in the Northeast—have a high density of PMH APNs, and states such as Oklahoma, California, Nevada, Illinois, and Texas have a low density ( 5 ). Within each state, accessibility of PMH APN providers depends on both the setting (urban versus rural) and the number of uninsured individuals in a region. In completely rural areas of full-practice states (see below), nonphysician clinicians (APNs and physician assistants) constitute the largest share of the total accessible primary care workforce ( 14 ). Another important element in the density of PMH APNs in a state is the availability of PMH APN education. States with no PMH graduate nursing programs or only one such program (for example, Oklahoma, Nevada, and South Carolina) have a low density of PMH APNs, and states with several programs (for example, Massachusetts and Connecticut) have more PMH APNs. The ratio of PMH APNs to the state census matters. Therefore, although high-census states, such as New York, have a strong cohort of APNs and several PMH NP graduate programs, the numbers are not sufficient for that population-dense state.
What is the scope of APN?
The range of services APNs are able to provide is largely directed by state scope-of-practice laws , which also determine the extent to which an APN can practice independently—that is, can treat and prescribe medications without physician supervision or collaboration.
How many states have full practice authority?
Currently, 22 states plus the District of Columbia have full-practice authority, allowing PMH NPs to diagnosis, treat, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe to patients without physician oversight but under the authority of the state board of nursing ( 9 ).
How many states have restrictions on NP practice?
Seventeen states have some restrictions on practice, as either an element of NP practice or the requirement of a regulated collaborative agreement; the remaining states have restricted-practice regulations, which direct a level of supervision for NP practice.
How does a PMH APN increase access to mental health services?
Expanding the use of PMH APNs would increase access to mental health services for several reasons. One issue restricting access to mental health services is the shortage of psychiatrists ( 1 ). Because PMH APNs are licensed to provide the full range of diagnostic and treatment services, including pharmacotherapy, use of PMH APNs expands access by increasing the number of providers with a comprehensive scope of practice ( 2 ). The transportability of PMH APN skills to various settings and modalities also increases availability of services. For example, use of telemedicine in the Veterans Health Administration effectively utilized both psychiatrists and PMH NPs to provide individual psychotherapy within medication management over five years to approximately 140,000 individuals ( 16 ). Although provider capacity is one component of access, service availability can be enhanced by innovations in service delivery, such as team-based integrated models of care. In a study of 27 practices that used integrated team-based care (TBC), which included PMH APNs, the TBC model increased access to care and quality in a large health system ( 17 ).
Why expand the use of PMH APNs?
Expanding the use of PMH APNs would increase access to mental health services for several reasons. One issue restricting access to mental health services is the shortage of psychiatrists ( 1 ). Because PMH APNs are licensed to provide the full range of diagnostic and treatment services, including pharmacotherapy, ...
How does mental health affect people?
Poor mental health not only affects a person’s ability to live a fulfilling life and carry on with their school, work, or familial responsibilities; it also can lead to physical and social problems with serious impacts. By advocating for prevention and developing effective interventions, public health professionals help individuals and communities combat mental health issues.
Is mental health a public health issue?
Mental Health as a Public Health Issue. Public health aims to promote healthy lifestyles, as well as to detect, prevent, and respond to diseases. The prevalence of mental health issues that affect individuals’ physical and social well-being makes dealing with mental health integral to achieving public health goals.
What is public health?
Public health aims to promote healthy lifestyles, as well as to detect, prevent, and respond to diseases. The prevalence of mental health issues that affect individuals’ physical and social well-being makes dealing with mental health integral to achieving public health goals.
What are the symptoms of family members experiencing mental health problems?
Individual family members may also struggle to cope with their own symptoms that require support, such as depression or sleeping problems. Children who have family members experiencing mental health problems may blame themselves. This can result in loneliness and feelings of being different.
Is mental health a substance?
Mental Health and Substance Misuse. A clear relationship exists between mental health issues and substance misuse. Each can lead to the other. In fact, one in four people with a serious mental illness also has a substance use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Is mental illness a substance use disorder?
A clear relationship exists between mental health issues and substance misuse. Each can lead to the other. In fact, one in four people with a serious mental illness also has a substance use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) shows that people with mental health issues are also at greater risk of using nonprescription opioids.
Why is education important in health?
In fact, greater levels of health correlate with higher levels of education.
Description of The PMH APN Workforce
Educational Pipeline of PMH Apns
- Currently, 118 graduate nursing programs in the United States offer the PMH NP degree, and all PMH CNS programs have been discontinued. The PMH NP can be awarded at the master’s or doctoral level. In the past ten years, there has been a national effort to move NP education to the doctoral level, but a doctorate is not required for certification or state licensure. PMH NP progra…
State Distribution and Scope of Practice
- The density of PMH APNs differs from state to state. Particular states—primarily states in the Northeast—have a high density of PMH APNs, and states such as Oklahoma, California, Nevada, Illinois, and Texas have a low density (5). Within each state, accessibility of PMH APN providers depends on both the setting (urban versus rural) and the number of uninsured individuals in a re…
PMH NP Practice and Access to Care
- Expanding the use of PMH APNs would increase access to mental health services for several reasons. One issue restricting access to mental health services is the shortage of psychiatrists (1). Because PMH APNs are licensed to provide the full range of diagnostic and treatment services, including pharmacotherapy, use of PMH APNs expands access by inc...