Role of General Practitioners in Patient Support

813 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The effects of schizophrenia upon the individual and their carers and/or families

The GP is the first point of contact for a patient with any sort of condition, such as a physical condition or a medical condition. Alex accessed the GP when her “mother urged her to make an appointment at the doctors”. The GP is a general practitioner who will have knowledge and understanding of a wide range of issues. The GP will help to provide Alex with some support in order to help her cope with her condition; they can do this in a number of ways. For example, a GP could help Alex cope through listening to her explaining how she is feeling. Her mother would be with her in order to provide Alex with extra support. She will be able to talk about what she has been seeing, hearing and her overall experience with the condition. She will be …show more content…

This is when the real support and coping mechanisms are implemented. This is because she is accessing professionals who have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of schizophrenia and other mental health illness. These professionals will be able to properly assess Alex and carry out a detailed assessment on her mental health and well-being as this is what they have been trained to do. This detailed assessment supports Alex because it brings her closer to a definitive diagnosis. Once the assessment has taken place this will give the specialist time to see what is wrong with Alex. They will use the assessment to help them to rule out conditions until they find the one which matches most of her signs and symptoms. They will then be able to tell her if she has schizophrenia by their assessment …show more content…

She will know for definite what is actually wrong with her so she will be able to get the help which she needs. The diagnosis of Alex’s condition will also bring her family closer together as the diagnosis explains why Alex has been experiencing these things. For example, they will understand why Alex believed that the mother was trying to poison her. Alex and her family will finally realise that she was not going crazy but it was an effect of a serious mental health condition. This will help Alex cope as she will know what is wrong with her and she will become accepting of her condition as she learns to deal with it. It puts her in a position to be able to access needed treatment and things which she will need in order to help her cope. Professional treatment is a key coping mechanism for Alex; it is also a key aspect of support for her. The trial and error process of the medication will begin for Alex at this stage. The prescription of medication will help her cope with her condition as he will help to keep her signs and symptoms under condition. However, some certain treatment doesn’t always work for a certain individual, it all depends. We can see in Alex’s case that “after another week of Haloperidol, a typical anti-psychotic drug, Alex had some severe hallucinations and complained of voices in her head.” In this case it is clear to see that Haloperidol did not work for Alex and in fact it made

Show More
Related

  • Movie Review: Drop Dead Fred

    1271 Words  | 3 Pages

    5). While Schizophrenia has been most commonly treated with the use of anti-psychotic medications for decades, cognitive therapy provides an alternative and cognitive psychologist would undoubtedly disagree with Elizabeth’s mother’s decision to medicate her. The way a cognitive psychologist would treat Elizabeth is by the use of therapy and encouraging her to talk about her behaviors and problems as they do not believe that Schizophrenia “is a biological illness that one either has or does not have” (Freeman, 2014, para. 7) and instead the symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions simply represent the patient’s thoughts and feelings (Freeman, 2014). For example, “an individual troubled by hearing voices will be helped to understand what’s triggering these voices, and to develop a more confident, empowering relationship with them” (Freeman, 2014, para.

    Read More

  • Nurses In Margaret Edson's Play Wit

    1469 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nurses help patients with their physical needs with details, explain the complex steps of medical treatment, communicate with doctors to share patients’ health conditions and proper treatments, and give emotional support to patients in stressful situations. There are certain limitations that nurses have in decision makings because doctors obtain the most power in patients’ medical clinics. However, nurses are more friendly, helpful, and suffering for patients. Lastly, experienced nurses can make a better choice for the patients over young and un-experience

    Read More

  • Case Study of Gerald: Living with Schizophrenia

    2528 Words  | 6 Pages

    My patient Gerald –according to the video- is diagnosed with a textbook case schizophrenia. He exhibits paranoid thinking and his speech is disorganized, his thoughts are loosely connected, and he has formed delusions, he exhibits mood disturbances, and exhibits disordered behaviors (Schizophrenia: Gerald, Part 1). The goal for Gerald is multi-factorial; first, it is important to place into context that Gerald’s schizophrenia is refractory to pharmacological management. Due to Gerald’s complex presentation of multiple symptoms, the goal for the interaction is improved m...

    Read More

  • Case Study: Mental Illnessing

    943 Words  | 2 Pages

    How do the issues facing those doing strategic planning differ from those doing tactical planning? Can the two really be

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Movie Fatal Attraction

    1380 Words  | 3 Pages

    Alex exhibits many of the behaviors and symptoms of BPD such as fear of abandonment, idealization to devaluation, feelings of emptiness, immense anger, self-harm, and impulsivity. She fits in with the symptoms of BPD, but it is very extreme. If not carefully watched, it seems as though Alex is a psychotic, obsessive stalker. This focus of the disorder is portrayed very negatively for these patients are not as violent and dangerous. Patients with BPD can go to therapy and doctors to get help to control their behaviors which will help them to become capable and successful

    Read More

  • Ic Case Study Essay

    1587 Words  | 4 Pages

    In this case scenario, Ms. IC’s primary doctor, gynecologist and her psychiatric nurse practitioner or psychiatrist, as well as her caregiver or family members should be contacted by the nurse practitioner in order to gain Ms. IC’s previous medical history and medical managements. The purposes for consulting other healthcare providers are to provide better care and to prevent relapse.

    Read More

  • Understanding Schizophrenia: A Hidden Mental Illness

    1755 Words  | 4 Pages

    "During brief medication visits, physicians typically focus on considerations related to delusions, hallucinations, disorganized and aggressive behavior, and hostility; these common symptoms may increase during relapse, resulting in hospitalization, emergency department visits, and crisis center services, or in incarceration in the criminal justice system"(Alphs). If the patient don 't have anyone to talk to and is only using medication to help with what they are hearing and seeing it, it can cause a lot of tension and stress for them. According to Bengston, Some people require custodial care in state institutions, while others are gainfully employed and can maintain an active family life,( Bengston). Depending on how severe and how often they have schizophrenia episodes, the patient can have healthy love life and accomplish their goals. "The reasons why people react different than others are not entirely clear, but may partly reflect that some people suffering from schizophrenia often do not exhibit symptoms until later in life and have achieved a higher level of functioning before the onset of their illness" (Bengston). Schizophrenia can happen at any age, so when a person at the age of

    Read More

  • Depression Case Study

    1495 Words  | 3 Pages

    The physician will question the patient about any stressors she may be contending with at home or work prior to her entering the hospital. The physician will order lab tests and speak with the patient to understand the psychological factors; a referral will be made for making a final diagnosis. After the physician reviews both lab tests and the psychological factors, a referral will be made for the patient to see a clinician. The referral will focus on obtaining support and stabilization. The clinical assessment will gather information using written forms as a first step, including releases to speak with family members. The second step would be to invite the family along with the client in an effort to obtain a better understanding of existing medical conditions along with any past mental disorders. Abuse as a child or abuse as an adult will be determined. The clinician will evaluate if the client is portraying any signs due to alcoholism or a drug addictions. An example of one question her clin...

    Read More

  • Hepatitis C Case Summary

    1504 Words  | 4 Pages

    A medical condition may be traumatic to a patient and the severity of Henry’s condition may have devastated him, so a psychologist may be necessary to focus on his mental health. Moreover, Henry’s family members will also be affected by Henry’s illness. Besides worrying about Henry’s illness, his wife and children have other worries in their life, such as work; so, they cannot physically and mentally handle so much at the same time. Thus, a case manager or social worker may be needed to offer the support and resources Henry and his family desperately needs to lessen their burden. A medical condition is already stressful enough and Henry and his family also have other important concerns in their life, so they need all the support and assistance to manage their

    Read More

  • Mental Health Care Assessment

    1319 Words  | 3 Pages

    Simpson, C. (2007) ‘Mental Health part3: Assessment and Treatment of Depression’ British Journal of Healthcare assistants. pp 167-171.

    Read More

  • Living with Schizophrenia

    1039 Words  | 3 Pages

    However many humans living with Schizophrenia might reach the limit of having to be admitted in a mental hospital due to the individual getting out of control. When a patient is admitted in a mental hospital it depends on how bad he/she is in order to determine the length of days he/she will stay. Usually the sickly person is evaluated by a doctor once a week to see if he/she has made any progress within those days of consuming the proper medicines. The patient is then referred to therapy so he/she can improve with Schizophrenia. A social worker usually communicates with the family regarding the issue with the patient such as the behavior, emotions, acting, etc.

    Read More

  • Mental Health Assessment Essay

    1154 Words  | 3 Pages

    The mental health assessment is a crucial part in everyday nursing care as it evaluates an individual’s mental condition to assess for risk factors of mental illnesses and provide optimal care and treatment. Mental health is described as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” (CDC) If the patient not mentally healthy, they can develop mentally illnesses, which can affect treatment and the disease process of physical ailments because without mental health a person cannot be completely healthy. “Suicide Risk Assessment in High Risk Adolescents” is a nursing article that outlines suicide risk factors and prevention strategies for assist nurses in performing mental health assessments. Suicide, the act of

    Read More

  • Legislation And Mental Health Legislation

    2250 Words  | 5 Pages

    Some described a “gradual transition” from resisting medication towards developing a “therapeutic alliance” with the ACT teams. The patients were involved in the process of choosing a medication – they claimed they were asked which antipsychotic medication they preferred and had input on the appropriate dosage for themselves. Even where they were still compelled to take the medication, “they were being listened to” so they were more open to the treatment.

    Read More

  • Caregiving and Relationships

    1300 Words  | 3 Pages

    Care can be given in different ways: informally by a family member or friend, or formally through primary and secondary care, social care or medical care. Primary care is a GP, dentist or optician – the people you normally see when you first have a problem (K101, unit 2, p. 74). Secondary care is any other health professional you may come into contact with following involvement in primary care.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Morality In A Clockwork Orange

    1633 Words  | 4 Pages

    His condition was handled in ways many would likely view as inhumane and counterproductive. His autonomy as a human being was overturned, and what the governor of the interior felt would have beneficial for the society resulted in a failure at the expense of one person. The final outcome was that Alex was not “cured” of his immoral actions, but was burdened with actions that masked his current condition, to include depression paired with suicidal tendencies, followed by a relapse. Although he had awful and inhumane tendencies, he should not have been used as a human guinea pig, or as a means to win a political race. Psychology is a topic that evolves as drastically as anything else in the medical world, but the mind is a powerful thing that should be approached with the utmost care, especially in the experimental

    Read More

More about Role of General Practitioners in Patient Support

Open Document