Nutrition Assessment and Education for Mental Health in Primary Care
Location
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Start Date
4-5-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
4-5-2024 11:30 AM
Poster Number
2
Name of Project's Faculty Sponsor
Ernest Maupin
Faculty Sponsor's Department
Nursing
Competition Type
Non-Competitive
Type
Poster Presentation
Presentation Category
Health
Abstract or Artist's Statement
Introduction and Background Most mental health patients are treated by primary care providers. Nutritional psychiatry is a form of treatment in which nutrition is used as a treatment for mental health patients. The Mediterranean Diet has the most research and efficacy in treating depression and anxiety patients. Problem and Purpose Research shows that primary care providers do not feel well prepared to teach about nutrition. This treatment is underutilized in mental health treatment Methods Nurse Practitioners in a rural primary care office were surveyed on their confidence in teaching patients nutrition, confidence regarding their education in nutrition, and the frequency of teaching nutrition for mental health. They were educated on the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screening (MEDAS) tool and the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet in treating mental health. They were asked to screen and educate mental health patients using the MEDAS during the project period. The total number of MEDAS tools were totaled to calculate the change in frequency of educating patients. Results There will likely be a significant increase in the total frequency of educating patients regarding the Mediterranean Diet as a treatment for mental health compared to the initial survey. Conclusion By educating providers, they can provide proper assessment and education to patients regarding nutritional interventions for mental health.
Nutrition Assessment and Education for Mental Health in Primary Care
D.P. Culp Center Ballroom
Introduction and Background Most mental health patients are treated by primary care providers. Nutritional psychiatry is a form of treatment in which nutrition is used as a treatment for mental health patients. The Mediterranean Diet has the most research and efficacy in treating depression and anxiety patients. Problem and Purpose Research shows that primary care providers do not feel well prepared to teach about nutrition. This treatment is underutilized in mental health treatment Methods Nurse Practitioners in a rural primary care office were surveyed on their confidence in teaching patients nutrition, confidence regarding their education in nutrition, and the frequency of teaching nutrition for mental health. They were educated on the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screening (MEDAS) tool and the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet in treating mental health. They were asked to screen and educate mental health patients using the MEDAS during the project period. The total number of MEDAS tools were totaled to calculate the change in frequency of educating patients. Results There will likely be a significant increase in the total frequency of educating patients regarding the Mediterranean Diet as a treatment for mental health compared to the initial survey. Conclusion By educating providers, they can provide proper assessment and education to patients regarding nutritional interventions for mental health.