Hondros College of Nursing uses new simulations to train for psychiatric episodes
Hondros College of Nursing used a simulation of a patient having a psychiatric episode over Zoom as a way of teaching students how to deal with patients or families of patients who need immediate mental health help during healthcare procedures or visits.
In March a new immersive simulation was available to students at Hondros College of Nursing. Students were provided with a scenario to assess and were then asked questions about what actions they should take in such a situation.
In an interview with NBC24, Dr. David Foley, a faculty member at the Cleveland campus in Independence, Ohio, described the Zoom simulation: "In this case, we have a gentleman who is 24 years old and he's displaying psychotic symptoms which is like very confused thinking and very confused speech and it's very alarming to his parents. This is a hypothetical case study because, of course, we have to be very observant of patient confidentiality but I think it's very representative."
Dr. Foley highlighted the importance for all medical practitioners to have a basic understanding of the steps to take when they encounter someone having a psychiatric episode, even if they are not necessarily a part of the psychiatric field. "They will encounter patients with psychiatric or complex psychosocial needs anywhere they work in the continuum of care. Psych patients have children, they go to the emergency room, they go to the primary care doctor's office, they have surgery, they have procedures. So a basic understanding of the principles of psychiatric mental health nursing is really important,” said Dr. Foley.
Dr. Deborah Mattin, Campus Dean/Director of Nursing at Maumee Hondros College of Nursing, added that the simulation would not only be beneficial to medical students, but also to the community at large, as having more medical professionals who have a general knowledge of how to handle psychiatric episodes would help end stigma against mental health issues. "This is just the beginning of what, how we can reach large groups of students and large groups of individuals to meet the mental health needs of our communities today," said Dr. Mattin.
Hondros College of Nursing has seven campuses in Ohio and Indiana and offers PN and ADN degrees. According to NBC24, more simulations are planned for the future.