NURS FPX 6616 Assessment 2 Summary Report on Rural Health Care And Affordable Solutions

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Capella university

NURS-FPX 6616 Ethical and Legal Considerations in Care Coordination

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Summary Report on Rural Health Care and Affordable Solutions

In rural areas, limited resources and geographic barriers often hinder access to mental health services, exacerbating disparities in care. Around 20% of the American populace resides in rural regions, accounting for approximately 6.5 million people experiencing mental health conditions (Morales et al., 2020). This report explores the challenges and opportunities in providing mental health care to rural populations, focusing on Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital (ASMH). This report focuses on the significance of technology-based outreach, interprofessional collaboration, cultural competence, legal compliance, and ethical practice in addressing these challenges.

Population Needs and Community

In Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where ASMH serves as a vital healthcare provider, there exists a pressing need for improved access to mental healthcare services, particularly among the rural population, specifically the Hispanic community. Rural communities often face different contests in getting psychological health care due to factors such as geographic isolation, limited resources, stigma associated with psychological illness, and shortages of mental health professionals. According to research by Kirby and Yabroff (2020), rural residents are less likely to have access to psychological healthcare services compared to their urban colleagues, leading to disparities in mental health outcomes.

The population in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is around 25,000 and encompasses a diverse range of individuals, including farmers, small business owners, blue-collar workers, and retirees (NICHE, 2024). Despite this diversity, there is a common thread of partial access to emotional health care services, worsened by geographical barriers and a shortage of mental fitness professionals in rural areas, especially in Hispanics. Additionally, cultural factors (immigration stress, language difference) and stigma surrounding mental illness further impede individuals from seeking help (NICHE, 2024).

To address this population need, ASMH must collaborate with local mental health organizations, community leaders, and telehealth partners to design innovative solutions that bridge the mental health care services gap. By leveraging telehealth technology and fostering interprofessional collaboration, the hospital can extend its reach to remote rural areas, providing timely and culturally sensitive psychological health interventions (Taylor et al., 2020). Moreover, culturally competent care coordination efforts must address diverse rural populations’ unique needs and preferences, ensuring equitable access to quality psychological healthcare services (Ramos & Chavira, 2022).

Current Available Inter-Professional Team Providers and Resources

In Stevens Point, Wisconsin, ASMH collaborates with various interprofessional team providers and assets to address psychological well-being requirements in the rural community. One key partner is the Aspirus Behavioral Health Clinic, which offers outpatient counseling, group therapy, addiction programs, and specialized care for conditions such as anxiety, depression, grief, and substance abuse (ASPIRUS Health, 2024).

These clinics are staffed by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, counselors, and social workers, who work collaboratively to provide comprehensive mental health services to patients. Additionally, the Aspirus Behavioral Health Residential Treatment Center serves as a crucial resource for patients requiring more intensive support for mental health issues. This center offers specialized residential treatment programs, providing round-the-clock care and therapeutic interventions for individuals with complex mental health needs (ASPIRUS Health, n.d.).

Evidence suggests that interprofessional collaboration among mental health providers improves patient outcomes and satisfaction. A study by Rugkåsa et al. (2020) found that collaborative care models involving coordination among physicians, psychologists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals result in better treatment adherence and symptom management for individuals with mental health disorders. By leveraging the expertise of these interprofessional team providers and resources, ASMH can enhance its capacity to deliver holistic and patient-centered mental health care to the rural population of Stevens Point, Wisconsin (Noel et al., 2022). This collaborative approach ensures patients receive timely interventions, continuity of care, and support tailored to their needs.

Areas of Cultural Competency

In addressing mental health needs in rural Stevens Point, ASMH must prioritize cultural competency within its interprofessional team to ensure adequate care delivery. Given the diversity within the rural population, including differences in beliefs, values, and communication styles, cultural competence is paramount to building trust and rapport with patients. Specifically, the team should be sensitive to the cultural nuances surrounding mental illness, as stigma and misconceptions vary across different cultural groups (Lau & Rodgers, 2021).

Research by Coombs et al. (2022), underscores the importance of cultural competency in mental health care delivery, particularly in rural settings where cultural norms and traditions may influence help-seeking behaviors. By recognizing and respecting cultural differences, healthcare providers can create a welcoming and comprehensive environment that promotes engagement and participation in mental health treatment. Furthermore, the National Alliance on Mental Illness emphasizes the significance of cultural competence in reducing disparities in mental health care access and outcomes among diverse populations (NAMI, n.d.). Incorporating culturally sensitive approaches, like offering language interpretation services, culturally adapted interventions, and providing cross-cultural training to healthcare professionals, has the potential to improve the caliber and impact of psychological healthcare in rural areas, particularly among the Hispanic population residing in Stevens Point (NICHE, 2024).

Technology-Based Outreach Strategies

In addressing the challenge of increasing access to psychological health care services in rural Stevens Point, ASMH can leverage evidence-based research to develop technology-based outreach strategies. Telehealth platforms like video conferencing and remote monitoring have become practical tools for extending mental health services to underserved rural populations (Hand, 2021). Research by Shaker et al. (2023) demonstrates the feasibility and efficacy of telepsychiatry in delivering psychiatric assessments, therapy, and medication management remotely.

Moreover, a study by Taylor et al. (2020), highlights the positive impact of technology-based interventions, such as mobile health apps and online support groups, in reducing obstructions to mental fitness care in rural populations. These digital platforms enhance accessibility, convenience, and privacy, overcoming geographical limitations and stigma associated with traditional in-person care. By integrating evidence-based technology solutions into their outreach efforts, ASMH can enhance care coordination, increase patient engagement, and improve mental health outcomes for rural residents in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Possible Telehealth Legal Issues

In implementing technology-based outreach strategies for mental health care in rural Stevens Point, ASMH must consider potential legal issues, particularly concerning telehealth practice. One key concern is ensuring compliance with state licensing laws and regulations for healthcare providers delivering services remotely. Research by Freske and Malczyk (2021), emphasizes the importance of adhering to licensure requirements to avoid legal ramifications and ensure patient safety in telepsychiatry practice. Maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality is critical when utilizing technology for mental health care delivery. Acquiescence with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations is essential to safeguarding patient health information transmitted electronically. A study by Casoy et al. (2022) underscores the need for vigorous security events and encryption procedures to defend sensitive data in telehealth platforms.

As a nurse involved in telehealth outreach for mental health care in rural communities, ensuring compliance with state licensure laws for remote practice and navigating the complexities of patient privacy and confidentiality under HIPAA regulations were significant legal issues faced. In this case, addressing potential liability concerns associated with providing care via technology platforms and maintaining documentation standards were critical aspects of legal compliance (Casoy et al., 2022). By addressing these legal considerations proactively, ASMH can mitigate risks and liabilities associated with technology-based outreach, ensuring ethical practice and legal compliance in delivering mental health services to rural communities.

Continuation of Ethical Care in the System

In transitioning to an updated system of technology-based outreach for mental health care in rural Stevens Point, ASMH ensures the continuation of ethical care by prioritizing patient autonomy, beneficence, and justice. By providing equitable access to mental health services through telehealth, the hospital upholds the ethical principle of justice, addressing disparities in care access for rural populations. Moreover, by maintaining patient confidentiality and privacy by HIPAA regulations, ASMH respects patients’ rights and dignity, fostering trust and therapeutic relationships (Evangelatos et al., 2022).

However, ethical considerations arise regarding the potential for diminished therapeutic rapport and the inability to conduct comprehensive physical assessments remotely. Addressing these concerns requires ongoing training and education for healthcare providers in telehealth ethics and communication skills. Research by Wies et al. (2021), highlights the importance of ethical decision-making frameworks in telemedicine to navigate complex ethical dilemmas and uphold patient-centered care. By integrating ethical guidelines and principles into the updated system, ASMH ensures the delivery of ethical and high-quality mental health care to rural communities.

As a nurse in telehealth outreach for mental health care in rural communities, ethical challenges included maintaining therapeutic boundaries and ensuring informed consent and autonomy in remote consultations. Additionally, navigating potential conflicts between patient confidentiality and the need for collaboration among interdisciplinary team members presented ethical dilemmas in this context (Liu et al., 2020).

Conclusion

In addressing mental health care disparities in rural Stevens Point, ASMH employs technology-based outreach and interprofessional collaboration to enhance access and quality of care. The hospital ensures equitable, patient-centered services by prioritizing cultural competence, legal compliance, and ethical practice. Through ongoing evaluation and adaptation, Ascension St. Michael’s remains committed to improving mental health outcomes for rural communities.

References 

ASPIRUS Health. (n.d.). Mental health treatment & counseling, Aspirus health care. Www.aspirus.org. https://www.aspirus.org/find-a-location?taxonomy=mental-health-treatment-counseling 

ASPIRUS Health. (2024). Aspirus behavioral health clinic – Stevens Point. Www.aspirus.org. https://www.aspirus.org/find-a-location/aspirus-behavioral-health-clinic-stevens-point-pre-569 

Casoy, F., Cuyler, R. N., & Fishkind, A. B. (2022). Telehealth and technology. In Springer eBooks (pp. 753–764). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10239-4_54 

NURS FPX 6616 Assessment 2 Summary Report on Rural Health Care And Affordable Solutions

Coombs, N. C., Campbell, D. G., & Caringi, J. (2022). A qualitative study of rural healthcare providers’ views of social, cultural, and programmatic barriers to healthcare access. BioMed Central Health Services Research, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07829-2 

Evangelatos, G., Le, C., Sosa, J., Thackaberry, J., & Hilty, D. M. (2022). Telepsychiatry to rural populations. In Springer eBooks (pp. 105–138). Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-85401-0_6 

Freske, E., & Malczyk, B. R. (2021). COVID-19, rural communities, and implications of telebehavioral health services: Addressing the benefits and challenges of behavioral health services via telehealth in Nebraska. Societies, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/soc11040141 

Hand, L. J. (2021). The role of telemedicine in rural mental health care around the globe. Telemedicine and E-Health, 28(3). https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0536 

Kirby, J. B., & Yabroff, K. R. (2020). Rural–urban differences in access to primary care: Beyond the usual source of care provider. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 58(1), 89–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2019.08.026 

Lau, L. S., & Rodgers, G. (2021). Cultural competence in refugee service settings: A scoping review. Health Equity, 5(1), 124–134. https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2020.0094 

NURS FPX 6616 Assessment 2 Summary Report on Rural Health Care And Affordable Solutions

Liu, L., Xue, P., Li, S. X., Zhang, J., Zhou, J., & Zhang, W. (2020). Urban-rural disparities in mental health problems related to COVID-19 in China. General Hospital Psychiatry, 69, 119–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.07.011 

Morales, D. A., Barksdale, C. L., & Beckel-Mitchener, A. C. (2020). A call to action to address rural mental health disparities. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, 4(5), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2020.42 

NAMI. (n.d.). Individuals with mental illness. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness/ 

NICHE. (2024). Stevens Point, WI. Niche. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/stevens-point-portage-wi/ 

Noel, L., Chen, Q., Petruzzi, L. J., Phillips, F., Garay, R., Valdez, C., Aranda, M. P., & Jones, B. (2022). Interprofessional collaboration between social workers and community health workers to address health and mental health in the United States: A systematised review. Health & Social Care in the Community, 30(6), e6240–e6254. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.14061 

Ramos, G., & Chavira, D. A. (2022). Use of technology to provide mental health care for racial and ethnic minorities: Evidence, promise, and challenges. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 29(1), 15–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2019.10.004 

Rugkåsa, J., Tveit, O. G., Berteig, J., Hussain, A., & Ruud, T. (2020). Collaborative care for mental health: A qualitative study of the experiences of patients and health professionals. BioMed Central Health Services Research, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-020-05691-8 

Shaker, A. A., Austin, S. F., Sørensen, J. A., Tarp, K. H., Bechmann, H., & Simonsen, E. (2023). Implementing video consultations in a rural psychiatric outpatient clinic: A feasibility study. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 20(23), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/4282468 

Taylor, C. B., Craft, E. E., & Graham, A. K. (2020). Digital technology can revolutionize mental health services delivery: The COVID ‐19 crisis as a catalyst for change. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(7), 1155–1157. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23300 

Wies, B., Landers, C., & Ienca, M. (2021). Digital mental health for young people: A scoping review of ethical promises and challenges. Frontiers in Digital Health, 3. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.697072