Date of Award

2025

Project Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Pamela Kallmerten

Second Advisor

Shannon Alty

Abstract

Background

Staff within the microsystem strive to provide quality care to patients experiencing acute mental health crises in hopes of stabilizing their condition, allowing them to function safely and appropriately among others. This will hopefully lead to eventual rehabilitation back into society. The main technique used in this microsystem for the rehabilitation of patients is providing group therapy (GT) sessions. These sessions teach healthy coping mechanisms and encourage internal reflection on triggers that could be contributing to emotional instability.

Local Problem

Recently, the leadership team has made the decision that Mental Health Technicians (MHTs) and social workers will lead the GT sessions and there were perceived knowledge gaps that may impact the effectiveness of the GT sessions.

Intervention

A review of the topics included in MHT certification was conducted and presented to the MHTs. Based on their feedback, an educational presentation on pharmacology was provided. The data was analyzed descriptively through the survey platform Qualtrics™ through an initial and post survey.

Results

The results showed that the QI project did benefit the unit, as the average of MHT knowledge in pharmacology rose from 2.33 to 2.5. The results showed that 83% of participants believe the unit would benefit from a printed version of the materials to be kept at the nursing station for reference.

Conclusions

Some conclusions drawn from this project were that it can be replicated numerous times a year, as medical knowledge is constantly evolving. Additionally, the unit did benefit from this QI project and could continue to benefit if the information is modified periodically and distributed to orientees. Additionally, while this project did not meet the intended specific aim, MHT perception of knowledge did improve. From the Qualtrics™ survey results, MHT confidence was rated moderately high. Lastly, the cost effective educational sessions can continue to address knowledge gaps going forward

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