Developing Family Nurse Practitioner Student Competencies: A Two-Part Mental Health-Focused Telehealth Education Activity

Author(s)

Beverly Baliko PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC, University of South CarolinaFollow
Phyllis Raynor PhD, APRN, PMHNP-BC, University of South CarolinaFollow
De'Anna Cox
Abbas Tavakoli DrPH, University of South CarolinaFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Telehealth is becoming a vital option for increasing access to health care. Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) are often the primary providers for rural and disadvantaged populations. They may be the first to encounter patients experiencing depression and other psychiatric problems. This article describes a two-part simulated telehealth education initiative to build FNP student competencies in the use of telehealth technology to interview clients with depressive symptoms. In Part 1, students completed didactic modules that introduced them to telehealth concepts. In Part 2, they participated in a simulated telehealth encounter with a standardized patient experiencing depression. Preparation included a review of care of patients with depression and focused content on telehealth etiquette. After the encounter, they received feedback from the standardized patient, debriefed with faculty, and documented their simulated telehealth visit. The activity was evaluated through post-education surveys and a one-time focus group. Students were overwhelmingly positive regarding the relevance of the educational activity to their graduate preparation and future practice. Many shared suggestions for refinement of the activity. Integration into the current curriculum and use of existing resources increased the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and potential for long-term sustainability of the educational initiative.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.08.009

Publication Info

Published in Journal of Professional Nursing : Official Journal of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Volume 49, 2023, pages 33-39.

APA Citation

Baliko, B., Raynor, P., Cox, D., & Tavakoli, A. (2023). Developing Family Nurse Practitioner Student Competencies: A Two-Part Mental Health-Focused Telehealth Education Activity. Journal of Professional Nursing, 49, 33–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2023.08.009

Rights

© 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.