The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39083

Michael B Blank, PhD, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Room 3020, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-349-8488, mblank2@mail.med.upenn.edu and Catherine Kane, PhD, RN, FAAN, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, McLeod Hall, Charlottesville, VA 22908.

The study compared samples of seriously mentally ill persons (N=40) living in two Virginia communities who received either a traditional PACT model (N=30) to a sample receiving NPACT (N=30). NPACT services were provided within an PACT environment enhanced by advanced practice nurses and stabilized consumer peer providers. Advance practice nurses provided psychosocial interventions, monitored physical and mental health status and facilitated access to appropriate physical health care. Consumer peer providers provided psychosocial support and modeling of positive health behaviors. These enhancements were hypothesized to address the physical health problems of the seriously mentally ill and to further individualize each client's care with the focused attention of consumer peer providers. The evaluation tracked not only clinical and psychosocial indicators (functional symptom status, perceived stress, and disability measures), but also physical health indicators (physical symptoms and health behaviors). At posttest, both groups improved on the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (F=6.63, df=1, p<.01), Disability Rating Form (F=18.31, df=1, p<.001), and the Multnomah Community Abilities Scale (F=15.68, df=1, p<.001). The NPACT group showed greater improvement on the Assessment for Involuntary Movements Scale F=5.07, df=2, p<.05), Physical Symptoms (F=9.19, df=2, p<.01), and Coercion (F=8.76, df=2, p>.01). The comparison group showed greater improvement over NPACT on the GAF (F=5.62, df=2, p<0.5). This study indicates that advanced practice nursing can promote improved physical symptom management in consumers enrolled in PACT.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• describe the features of Assertive Community Treatment Programs and their effects for persons with Serious Mental Illness,
• articulate the enhancements afforded by integration of advanced practice psychiatric nursing into PACT, and
• describe how mental health consumers can be effectively used to provide PACT services.

Keywords: Mental Health Services, Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.