Critique of Shaw, et al. (2016) Help.
Critique of Shaw, et al. (2016)
COURSE OUTCOMES:
This assignment enables the student to meet the following course outcomes.
CO 5: Utilize available resources to meet self‐identified goals for personal, professional, and educational development appropriate to the mental health setting. (PO 5)
CO 7: Examine moral, ethical, legal, and professional standards and principles as a basis for clinical decision‐making. (PO #)
CO 9: Utilize research findings as a basis for the development of a group leadership experience. (PO 8)
Solution.
Critique of Shaw, et al. (2016)
Mental illnesses are the primary causes of the global health and disease burden even when they are treatable. The diagnosis and treatment of these diseases ensure improved health and livelihood. However, people, especially patients of cancer, continue to suffer significantly from the debilitating effects of mental health problems. Cancer influences the psychological and physical functioning of patients making them susceptible to the development of mental illnesses. Even when this is the case, most healthcare facilities overlook the severity of the disorders and lack standardized pathways for clinical referrals. This essay offers a critique of Shaw, et al. (2016), its findings, their applicability in nursing and provision of care, and limitations.
Shaw, et al. (2016) discuss the importance of the development of a standardized pathway for the management of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. The authors consider mental illnesses a critical health concern that demands attention and effective management measures. According to the article, cancer impacts greatly on a person’s psychological, physiological and physical functioning and affects their health and wellbeing significantly. Of people diagnosed with cancer 20.7, 19.4, and 10.3 percent are prevalent to mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and adjustment disorders respectively (Shaw, et al., 2016). Considering this, the article points out the need for implementation of measures that allow for early detection and treatment of the mental illnesses. The treatment of the disorders reduces the suffering of the patients, limits the possibility of developing mood disorders, and improves the health of the patient significantly. The development of an effective pathway for early diagnosis and treatment of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression will enhance effectiveness in the provision of care to cancer patients and improve the health care.
The article offers articulate findings. It shows more than 90% agreement in allowing key treatment team clinicians to decide on the effective adaptation and implementation of pathways, the use of local resources, and consideration of patient characteristics in implementing the pathway. Moreover, routine screening for depression/anxiety with formally assigned staff was agreed as important but only if the other team members were allowed to engage in asking about distress and alerting the responsible staff.
The information presented in the article is applicable in nursing and in caring for cancer patients. For instance, deciding which pathway to adopt in determining and treating anxiety/depression can be done through a discussion between the clinicians taking care of a patient. The team can reach a conclusion of two-step approach in screening and monitoring the patient to ensure early detection and treatment of the mental illnesses. Additionally, care providers can implement assessment and referral by accommodation of patient preferences and concerns, protection of his/her rights, and educating the patient (Shaw, et al., 2016). This process should also include an assessment by the formally assigned team to determine the severity of the illnesses and the effective management and treatment strategy. Therefore, this article proves critically important in nursing.
However, the research applies a methodology with limited interaction between participants. A research of this kind would benefit greatly from extensive interaction which would have allowed in-depth discussion and analysis of possible interventions. Interdisciplinary differences and issues experienced by different clinicians from numerous facilities across the country and around the world demand an in-depth discussion and analysis. This would ensure the development of a broader and integrated clinical pathway that would promise effectiveness in the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders facing adult cancer patients. Moreover, the research presented in the article uses information from 87 Australian oncologists, and thus implementation in other countries may face unforeseen challenges.
In conclusion, mental illnesses influence not
only cancer patient but also the society significantly. Early detection and
treatment are fundamental to improved mental health in the society. Cancer
patients suffer significantly from anxiety and
depression. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment, which decrease their suffering
and improves their health are critical. Shaw, et al. (2016) discuss the
need for an efficient standardized pathway extensively. The findings presented
are articulate and applicable. However, their article shows a limitation in
applying a methodology that does not allow in-depth discussion of the issue.
Reference
Shaw, J., Price, M., Clayton, J., Grimison, P., Shaw, T., Rankin, N., & Butow, P. (2016). Developing a clinical pathway for the identification and management of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients: an online delphi consensus process. Supportive Care in Cancer 24 (1), 33 – 41. doi:doi:10.1007/s00520-015-2742-5
