Erika L. Emkey
South University
NSG3001-01-Introduction to the Profession of Nursing
Scholarly Paper #1
Dr. Elizabeth Fezio
Scholarly Paper #1
25 April 2016
There are many challenges that are associated with Schizophrenia and how to properly care for a patient as a nurse. Hippocrates believed that those with mental illnesses had disturbances in their physiology, which caused his belief that these individuals were possessed by demons (Malburne, 2010, para. 1). Unfamiliarity with mental illnesses brought about the persecution and fear of those who were deemed mentally ill, which in turn, shattering these persons and would not help them combat their illnesses for many …show more content…
31). Healthy People 2020, and the National Census Statement on Mental Health Recovery recognize the need for mental health efficiency based on the barriers to care of and the lack of access and the need for more mental health care providers (Muxworthy, et al, 2012, p. 8). Barriers used to describe patients that are resistant to psychiatric services come in many forms such as, noncompliant, difficult, lacking insight, and poor judgment (Forbes, 2010, p. 31). Schizophrenics have severe mental impairment and tend to move often between shelters, hospitals, emergency rooms, and jails. They become convinced that they are aware of their mental wellness and decline psychiatric treatments regardless of the benefits (Forbes, 2009, p. 31). Many providers discharge such patients because they get tired of explaining to them that they do in fact have an illness, which is a very serious barrier. This not only contributes to the mistrust Schizophrenics have with the medical professionals, but also does nothing to treat and manage, perhaps potentially curing them (Forbes, 2009, p. …show more content…
When the patient sees that the provider is listening to them, and accepting their autonomy, they are more likely to form a rapport and adhere to the specific treatment plan that providers believe gives them the best chance at healing and lessens the chances that they will fall back into nonadherence (Forbes, 2009, p. 34).
Overall, the contributions of nursing research to the treatment of Schizophrenia throughout the last few centuries have changed the way health care providers interact and support their patients. Dorothea Dix fought for mental health reform, and many others provided irreplaceable evidence-based research, in an effort to eliminate the barriers to effective treatment, as well as ensuring treatment compliance. It is because of this that those with Schizophrenia have a chance of living their lives as normal as possible with endless support by knowledgeable and empathetic health care