School-Based Mental Health Screening: Improving Outcomes Through Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration

For the adolescent population, the immediate impact a mental health disorder has on academics,relationships, and even suicide risk cannot be understated. Access to mental health care in low socioeconomic communities for adolescents is fraught with barriers. These include lack of transportation, lack of insurance coverage, fear of stigma, and a fundamental lack of knowledge regarding available resources. It is therefore a two-fold problem that exists for those in the care and observation of these adolescents; underutilization of appropriate routine screening and navigation to access care. This project aimed to remediate both of these issues at a high school located in Alameda County, California. The school currently provides access to an on-site School-Based Health Center (SBHC) in addition to several guidance counselors and ancillary support staff. Even with these available resources, the organization lacked a protocol that utilizes a universal psychosocial screening tool as well as interprofessional collaboration (IPC) to facilitate case management of students identified for the need of emotional or behavioral health services. The project consisted of the introduction of a validated psychosocial screening tool and a model for IPC delivered via a one-hour educational workshop to each of the identified stakeholders at the high school campus. Pre- and post-survey results indicate an increase in knowledge in mental health literacy as well as proficiency in the use of the tools presented. Additional qualitative feedback indicates a willingness among all stakeholders to adopt the IPC activities presented and two-month follow up interviews demonstrates a modest preliminary application of effective screening use

The Role of the Clinical Nurse Leader in Reintroducing and Sustaining a Successful Cancer Risk Assessment Program in a Community Hospital Setting

Abstract The goal of implementing a comprehensive cancer risk assessment (CRA) program prompted the evaluation of a community-based breast center microsystem and previous CRA program for feasibility and sustainability. The development of a value proposition by the Clinical Nurse Leader student highlights the role in the advancement of the nursing profession as an interdisciplinary leader. Review of current literature facilitated development of program structure and identification of downstream revenue sources. Data analysis includes historical patient volume, screening and procedural reimbursement rates, population statistics and organization market share, and program financial impacts. Data synthesis reveals a CRA program demonstrates potential revenue generation of $283,996.20 by the second year of implementation. The associated costs related to staffing and start up capital total$231,988.00, determining an estimated break-even point to be within the first 18 months of the program. With evidence demonstrating improvements in patient outcomes related to early disease detection, the recommendation to the institution is therefore to invest in implementing a comprehensive cancer risk assessment program