Date
Summer 2024
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Department
College of Nursing
First Advisor
Dianne Inman
Abstract
Problem Statement: Adolescent mental health is a growing concern. Children and adolescents are commonly diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression. Some youth may also experience co-occurring symptoms that their primary healthcare provider must distinguish to appropriately diagnose and treat.
Purpose: The project aimed to implement measurement-based care for adolescents between the ages of 12 to 18 in a pediatric outpatient facility that is not currently utilizing post-assessment screening tools. The project seeks justification for treatment options utilizing pre-assessment screening tools and therapeutic relief with medication intervention determined by post-assessment screening results.
Methods: Adolescents between the ages of 12 to 18 completed a pre- and post-assessment screening tool, such as the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and Vanderbilt Assessment Scale at the beginning of each visit with subsequent post-assessment screenings at predetermined intervals, with those patients being treated with medication therapy.
Inclusion Criteria: Pediatric patients between the ages of 12 to 18 years old whose medical home is established at a Federally Qualified Health Center in the South. The patients include all races and genders who sought care for ADHD, anxiety, and depression and those newly established for these diagnoses. The intervention included medication intervention as indicated by the screening tools with follow-up at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months.
Analysis: A descriptive analysis was used to evaluate whether the participants experienced a reduction in ADHD, anxiety, and depression symptoms.
Implications for Practice: Implementing measurement-based care will reiterate best practice approaches by reflecting subjective data via valid screening tools.
Recommended Citation
Taylor, Ayzia Lynn, "Measurement-Based Mental Health in Adolescents" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects. 63.
https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/dnp_projects/63
Rights
© 2024, Ayzia Lynn Taylor