Date of Degree

12-2021

Document Type

Doctoral Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Program

Nursing

Advisor

Holly A. DiLeo

Abstract

Background. Provision of educational and supportive resources to the caregivers of children with mental illness can help create an environment of advocacy and understanding between the child, caregiver, and provider. In depth and comprehensive learning about their child’s mental illness cannot be accomplished in a one-hour new patient appointment or established patient appointment of 20 minutes. Purpose. The purpose of this practice improvement project was to facilitate educational and community support for caregivers of pediatric clients with mental illness and evaluate if caregivers require additional support due to burden. Objectives. (a) 100% of caregivers of pediatric clients who have appointments during the 10-week implementation period were contacted via telephone and offered the caregiver resource flyer and burden assessment by email, (b) 75% of the caregivers contacted during the 10-week implementation period were provided with the caregiver resource flyer and burden assessment via email, (c) 30% of the caregivers who were sent the resource flyer returned the burden assessment and demographic data sheet, and (d) 100% of caregivers identified as having severe burden were referred to social services. By meeting these objectives, it was expected that caregivers would have the opportunity to access resources available to further educate themselves and access local community groups for support to help lessen their burden. Results. Telephone callbacks to receive the resource flyer were imperfect with approximately 30% of the caregivers receiving the flyer via email. Further results will be presented during the SCMF Lecture. Implications. Other means of receipt for the resource flyer and burden assessment are needed to capture 100% of caregivers of pediatric clients at this private practice.

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