Flexible, patient-centred approach can help vets better manage chronic mental illness: study

For veterans who have returned from conflicts overseas, fighting mental illness once home can be overwhelming. Often there are multiple medications prescribed for specific times throughout the day and adding to that are the medications that must be taken for chronic physical problems.

A new study from the University at Buffalo School of Nursing suggests that veterans who have long-term mental illness could achieve better health outcomes if they are offered a flexible, tailored approach to self management of their medications and care.

The researchers call this approach the Recovery Resource System, which they describe in the current issue of the Archives of Psychiatric Nursing.

"This system focuses on behaviors and strategies to encourage active participation of the patient in his own care; it can result in better self-management overall," says Deborah S. Finnell, DNS, RN, UB assistant professor of nursing and primary investigator of the study.

Finell's study is unique because while various systems have been developed by researchers for patients, no studies have been identified in which they were developed with patients.

"As a nurse practitioner, I have learned a lot from my patients," says Finnell. "For example, if I prescribed a medication that should be taken several times a day, I want to hear from the patient about his or her daily activity.