Table of ContentsRationale for Topic SelectionPositive or Negative Impact on PracticeHow Informatics Skills and Knowledge Have Been UsedConclusionReferencesTechnology Has Become a Part necessary integral part of health care that facilitates the assessment, monitoring and treatment of patients and their conditions. Nursing informatics uses nursing and technology to promote positive patient outcomes. Lee (2014) believes that informatics will improve nursing practice, allow faster access to patient information, and improve overall efficiency. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay This article will discuss access to telehealth specifically for mental health patients and address the rationale for choosing the topic. It will also include the negative and positive impact on practice, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, as well as how IT skills and knowledge were used to develop this document. Rationale for Topic Selection Mental health is an area of ​​health care where state funding is typically reduced before other areas of health care. . Accessing mental health services can be difficult for patients depending on where they live and the services available in that area. Advances in nursing technology could be particularly beneficial for patients in rural areas and those experiencing a mental health crisis. Communication between patients and health care team members is essential to improve quality of care and patient outcomes, and should not be limited by rural life. Telehealth or telemedicine is a growing field of healthcare that allows patients to access nurses and doctors remotely via computer, tablet. , or a smartphone. Telehealth is live, real-time communication in which, according to Gallagher-Lepak, Scheibel, and Gibson (2009), nurses are typically the point of contact for health care, serving as the patient monitor for this exciting new technology. Telehealth gives the nurse the opportunity to assess the patient's condition and act accordingly. According to the Center for Connected Health Policy (nd), telehealth is a two-way interaction between a person (patient, caregiver, or provider) and a provider using audiovisual telecommunications technology. Telehealth is a viable option for patients who need medical intervention and allows the flexibility of receiving medical advice or intervention from the comfort and safety of their home. Wennberg (2020) highlights that due to the shortage of mental health providers, telehealth is an effective modality to address the rural shortage. Medicaid will reimburse many states where telehealth is used. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (nd) reports that for Medicaid purposes, telemedicine seeks to improve health by enabling real-time, two-way communication between a patient, physician, or practitioner at a remote site. Therefore, the patient must be allowed to seek help and not have the added burden of wondering or worrying if the telehealth visit will be covered. Positive or negative impact on practice As with any subject, there are pros and cons that need to be considered. into consideration to determine whether there is a real benefit. Starting withThe benefits, it can be argued that access to telehealth for mental health patients could decompress emergency services, minimize wait times and allow faster access to a nurse or doctor. Patients who come to the emergency room due to a mental health crisis often wait. several hours to a few days before being evaluated by a psychiatrist. Additionally, the patient will often be involuntarily committed to ensure that they cannot leave the facility prior to this evaluation. Lawes-Wickwar, Mcbain, and Mulligan (2018) write that telephone support has been shown to be effective in improving medication adherence and reducing the severity of symptoms and hospital days. During an admission the patient will have a 1:1 observer responsible for ensuring the patient does not harm themselves or others, this is not pleasant for the patient nor profitable for the organization. Often, the patient is medically cleared to take an inpatient bed while awaiting transfer to a psychiatric facility or community service organization. Pratt, Naslund, Wolfe, Santos, and Bartels (2014) believe that a telehealth intervention supported by nurse health care management is beneficial for improving psychiatric illness management and reducing acute services. If a patient can use telehealth services, there is a high probability that they can receive outpatient treatment without the added inconvenience of a long hospital stay that can also result in lost wages for the patient. Telehealth according to Finnegan (2020) allows patients to speak with a doctor, request prescription refills, and promote patient well-being by actively participating in their care. Knowing that a nurse or doctor is accessible from the patient's home can provide the patient with an added sense of security in the event of a mental health crisis. Disadvantages of telehealth could be limited internet and cell service as they may not be accessible. in the patient's region, especially if rural or monetary reasons may prevent the patient from having these services. Mehrotra et al. (2016) write that rural beneficiaries who received a telemedicine visit lived in a poorer community than those who did not receive a telemedicine visit. There could also be a lack of technological capability on the part of the patient since not everyone has the same skills when it comes to using a computer or smartphone. Nurses are not exempt either: a large number of nurses struggle to use technology as it becomes more and more integrated into their practice. In a study conducted by Koivunen and Saranto (2017), they found barriers related to nurses' skills and attitudes, nurses' work and operations, organizational factors, patients, and technology. Another more important concern with telehealth is the severity of the patient's crisis. If it appears to the nurse or doctor that the patient is in imminent danger of self-harm, then help should be called to the scene. Whereas if the patient was present, measures are taken to ensure their safety. The negative impact of telehealth on practice is the lack of physical interaction between the patient and nurse or between the patient and doctor because it is more impersonal than being face to face. The positive impact on practice is the ability to remotely monitor the patient and adherence to ordered treatment and medication regimens.How computer skills and knowledge were usedSkills and.12445