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Biomedical subjects

M Thobaben

Publications and source records attributed to M Thobaben.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Whose life is it anyway? Client autonomy.

The concept of individual autonomy, although generally valued in the abstract, is often negated in nursing practice. This is particularly true when the client's physical being is controlled by health care practitioners within an intensive care unit (ICU) setting. The concept of autonomy when applied to American health care practices clearly acknowledges in custom and law the right of the client to determine what treatment is acceptable and under what conditions. This article identifies some of the ethical dilemmas that arise in ICU settings and by a case example elucidates the implications for nursing practice.

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Home health care's unique role in serving the elderly mentally ill.

Psychiatric home health services are a viable option for providing essential treatment to elderly clients having major mental disorders or acute psychiatric problems secondary to a medical illness. This valuable adjunct to in-home treatment can be provided by psychiatric mental health nurse specialists who work collaboratively with other mental health disciplines. If a home health agency does not have a psychiatric treatment component, it can expand its services by hiring a qualified psychiatric nurse and educating its interdisciplinary staff in the appropriate care of mentally ill clients. Referrals can be obtained from facilities for acute psychiatric disorders, psychiatrists, general hospitals, outpatient clinics, and patients themselves or their families. This important service can benefit acutely ill psychiatric patients by enabling them to be discharged from inpatient settings sooner and treated comfortably in the less restrictive environment of their home while receiving appropriate and adequate follow-up and referral. As such, it is cost-efficient to the client and society and represents the community-based care of the future for the mentally ill.

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Treating the elderly mentally ill at home.

Psychiatric home health nursing provides an emerging arena for treating elderly clients diagnosed with major mental disorders. Client autonomy is maintained, and treatment can be tailored to individual need. The authors describe the concept of home care for the elderly mentally ill and issues related to funding and providing services. To illustrate the broad scope of available nursing treatment for the elderly, three case studies of clients with diagnoses of anxiety/depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are discussed.

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