A holistic healthcare model evaluates and treats a patient by considering every aspect of the human body. This entails a thorough examination of an individual’s physical being, psychological well-being, and relationship to spirituality. Pharmacology is an important cornerstone of psychological treatment for many patients, but holistic medicine aims to broaden the scope of treatment with the goal of further improving patient outcomes. In this article, we will cover some ways that family nurse practitioners (FNPs) can supplement their patients’ psychopharmacological treatments with non-pharmacological interventions.
Tip 1: Collaborate with mental health professionals
Talk therapy can be extremely beneficial for patients, and not just those with mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that talk therapy is helpful many conditions as a supplemental tool added to their medication regimen. For example, mental health professionals help patients with ADHD learn strategies for coping with their disorder, including time management, organization, frustration tolerance, problem-solving, communication skills, and more. Therapists can also work with patients on social skills so they can build a better support network to help in times of need.
You can refer patients to mental health professionals within your healthcare network if available, and be sure to work with these colleagues to create a collaborative treatment plan for patients. Collaborative treatment plans get buy-in from the patient’s entire care team, and this helps ensure alignment across specialists and complementary care plans. It is additionally important to talk with the patient directly about their treatment plan—their willingness to embrace this type of care is crucial for success.
If you are passionate about being able to provide a more holistic experience to patients, you may also want to consider pursuing a mental health specialty yourself. When your certification period is due to expire, you can look into recertifying as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). This up-and-coming field is highly sought after as it allows nurse practitioners to practice alternative therapeutic techniques in addition to traditional psychopharmacology. In this role, you can provide added services to current patients and help expand your practice’s approach to psychopharmacology.
Tip 2: Emphasize lifestyle interventions
Extensive research is constantly being conducted on the complex relationship between mental health and physical health. One thing we know for certain is that negative physical health outcomes can be detrimental to a patient’s mental health as well. Helping patients handle health problems, follow through on tobacco cessation efforts, and manage chronic pain conditions, are examples of ways that addressing physical health concerns can indirectly impact mental health.
Additionally, do not overlook the importance of a good diet in mental health care. This new field is called nutritional psychiatry, and it focuses on how maintaining a proper diet can improve patients’ mental health and manage the symptoms of chronic mental health conditions.
Family nurse practitioners can also help patients build sustainable routines, get regular exercise, and prioritize a sleep schedule to give their mental health a strong foundation. Nurse practitioners can suggest other tips that have proven beneficial for mental health such as gratitude journaling, meditation, mindfulness, and building social connections.
Related: Psychopharmacology 101 for Primary and Acute Care NPs
Tip 3: Focus on stress reduction techniques
For many mental health conditions—and physical health, for that matter—stress can negatively impact a person’s quality of life and even reduce the efficacy of their medications. Pharmacological interventions work best when patients adhere to lifestyle modifications and make the necessary adjustments. One of the most common adjustments seen across all patients is stress reduction.
Excessive stress has been called the epidemic of the century, and it is extremely prevalent among Americans of all ages, especially young people. Stress can come from family obligations, career troubles, financial issues, or any number of other sources. Helping patients manage stress is a key non-pharmacological intervention to addressing well-being. Stress reduction techniques include mindfulness, meditation, setting boundaries, self care, and minimizing negative factors like social media and news consumption.
Tip 4: Understand the underlying factors
Nurse practitioners are trained to study a patient’s symptoms to find a diagnosis and determine a treatment. Holistic medicine is built upon the philosophy that a patient is more than just a set of symptoms. Although it may take a little longer in the examination room, understanding the broader context of a patient’s experience can make all the difference.
Uncovering a patient’s root stressors can help you as the family nurse practitioner to provide more informed and personalized care. It can also help the patient have a better care experience. They will feel seen, understood, and respected. Through this positive experience, your patient will then be more likely to follow through on your treatment regimen.
Tip 5: Ensure cultural competence
In addition to understanding a patient’s personal history, understanding the cultural context of their experience can be valuable in the clinical setting. Cultural competence is essential for helping patients feel respected, and it also can inform treatment recommendations. By educating yourself on specific health disparities among minority populations, you can better understand a patient’s experiences and better anticipate their unique health needs.
Cultural competence training is likely already part of your workplace, but you can augment your learning by selecting relevant programs for your continued education units. You may also volunteer to serve on your workplace’s diversity board or seek out special events through your professional nursing association. Understanding your patients’ cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values will help you build culturally sensitive treatment programs that better serve your patients and meet their needs as a person.
Tip 6: Leverage telemedicine
As technology becomes even more omnipresent in medical practice, there are now myriad ways to integrate care into a patient’s routine. Telemedicine can offer patients remote assistance for management of mental health conditions. For example, your nursing practice might offer group therapy or partner with a mindfulness or yoga app. Through a patient portal, you can provide educational resources, virtual support, and different ways for patients to stay on top of your treatment recommendations.
As an FNP, there are many ways you can integrate holistic care into your current psychopharmacology practice. By working with colleagues specializing in mental health care, focusing on lifestyle modifications, and using telemedicine technologies, you can provide more effective, personalized care to your patients.
Earn CE hours with our online course on Psychopharmacology 101 for Primary and Acute Care NPs (free with Passport Membership)!
