Over the years there has been development in the provision of health care services especially mental health care hence new ways of handling one’s mental health are develope to address provision of health care needs to individuals suffering from mental illnesses. Of all the two that have appeared to have attracted considerable attention are the Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). In combination, TMS Treatment APN therapy provide a contemporary modality to the process of mental health therapy, where patient’s has a chance for a better future. This module describes the nature of these therapies, for which patients they are suitable, the positive consequences to be expected under TMS Treatment APN therapy, and what patients should prepare for during the treatments.
Understanding APN (Advanced Practice Nursing) in Mental Health
What is an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)?
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is; an independent, autonomous, specialized, and competent member of the enhanced nursing team with master or doctoral preparation in an area of nursing practice including mental health. The 2002 regulations Bartholomew laid down states that APNs are capable of diagnosing several illnesses, prescribing medicine, and performing psychotherapy. These are some of the most essential roles in the management of mental health disorders and work in conjunction with psychiatrists, psychologists as well as other.
Role of APNs in Mental Health Treatment
Mentioned above APNs in mental health pays attention to both the disease and the factors that cause the disease in their approach to patient-centered care. Their comprehensive training allows them to:Their comprehensive training allows them to:
- Assess Mental Health Conditions: APNs are knowledgeable in performing comprehensive mental health-assessments that entails the psychological, genetic and social indicators that may lead to the development of a patient’s sickness.
- Develop Treatment Plans: Thus, it is reconciled that APNs deduce individualis scope of interventions in terms of medication and psychotherapy, implementing life alteration strategies, and in some cases, refer the patients to other appropriate practitioners.
- Provide Ongoing Support: APNs practice on-going follow up of patients’ progress, changing the therapy processes and providing patients with information on how to handle their mental health status.
- Collaboration with TMS Therapy:APNs practice encounter somebody that has recommended TMS to their clients and integrate this new therapy as part of patients’ care plans.
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What is TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)?
An Overview of TMS Therapy
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a clinical treatment whereby an incredible magnetic field is placed on the scalp to cause the polarization of neurons in the brain. In different countries, it is employe for the patients with depression and for whom traditional anti-depressive treatment with the help of drugs and psychology did not work. TMS is also being research with a myriad of other mental disorders such as anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
How Does TMS Treatment Work?
TMS treatment involves the application of magnetic coil which is place on the head of the patient on the forehead area. This equipment creates magnetic fields which pass through the skull and into the brain and the areas targeted for treatment are prefrontal cortex the portion in the brain that controls mood. These pulses are assume to activate neurons in these places and in this manner bring regarding mood enhancement equal to the decrease of both depressive and other mental health disorders symptoms.
The Benefits of TMS Treatment APN Treatment
Enhanced Patient Outcomes
Integration of APN and treatment using TMS brings positive patient’s results. In this therapy, doctors focus on the wellbeing of an individual ,both the mind and body part are take care off through APNs and TMS involves the use of a new method of treating depression patients with poor responses to other treatments. When given in combination, these therapies can help a patient gain enormous enhancements in his or her daily living.
Non-Invasive and Drug-Free Option
TMS has many benefits and one of those is that it can be use as an invasive procedure and does not involve the use of drugs. To patients who cannot tolerate some side effects of drugs applied or patients who have not responded well to drugs or therapies, TMS is a better solution with fewer side effects. Thus, the fact that both TMS Treatment APN proved to be effective in treating disorders and the combination of them avoids taking medicine as much as possible makes it the choice of many patients.
Personalized Care Plans
Student train takes time to assess patient and the plan that is set on the patient should be unique to the patient. When this is accompanied with incorporation of TMS, the therapy focuses on particular regions of the brain thereby enhancing the efficacy of the plans. This kind of approach is characteristic of TMS Treatment APN treatment because the patients are treat according to their needs.
The Process of TMS Treatment APN Treatment
Initial Assessment by an APN
It is usual for a patient to get an assessment by the APN for them to receive the treatment provided by APN s and or TMS. This consists of; medical history the specialist may want to know about the client’s medical history, this entails; The mental health assessment which will include questions about the clients symptoms and an overview of their mental health history; Treatment history; This includes the previous therapeutic processes the client may have gone through or is currently undergoing. However, since the decision on offering TMS is at the discretion of the APN, the APN will consider patient condition and TMS as a viable treatment plan.
TMS Treatment Sessions
If TMS is consider appropriate, TMS treatment will be give to the patient over several sessions, often in the period of several weeks. A single session takes 20 to 40 minutes, and a patient remains conscious during the procedure. The treatment is usually administere by the APN or a TMS specialist, who will change the strength of the magnetic pulses according to the patient’s reaction.
Ongoing Monitoring and Support
During the entire process of using TMS treatment the APN will continue to assess patient’s condition and may recommend changes in the treatment plan. Subsequent complementary visits also help the patient adjust well to the therapy while offering the APN an opportunity to adjust the plan as appropriate in order to accord the best results.
Potential Side Effects and Considerations
Side Effects of TMS Treatment
While TMS is generally well-tolerate, some patients may experience mild side effects, including:
- Headache: This is actually the most reported side effect and it only normally affects a small portion of the skin and is usually only temporary.
- Scalp Discomfort:A few clients may also experience side effects after.sessions such as discomfort at the treatment site, which are normally relieve after a few treatments.
- Tingling or Twitching: The magnetic pulses can induce mild sensation such as tingling or muscle twitch of the face muscles and these are only for a while.
The side effects are generally mild; however, in some cases, it might lead to life-threatening issue like seizure especially among those with a background epilepsy or other similar conditions. Before beginning TMS treatment it is necessary for the patient to explain the whole of their medical history to their APN.
The Future of TMS Treatment APN Treatment
Expanding Applications
More studies on transcranial-magnetic-stimulation are still being done to this day, and more possibilities as to what the therapy can be use for are still being explore. Though it has been authorize for use only in the case of treatment-resistant depression, research with other disorders is underway. Therefore, TMS may soon be use to treat different ailments base on more and more evidence offered among health management strategies.
Integration with Other Therapies
Further, there is going to be a trend of combining TMS Treatment APNtwith other treatment therapies including CBT and lifestyle changes. It also mean that patients will benefits from the best of care since their needs are being solve from the physical, mental and emotionally point of view.
Conclusion
TMS and APN treatment is a breakthrough development to augment conventional mental health treatment therapy to the patients. Thus, the advanced practice nurses along with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, make this modern therapy consistent and individualized in the treatment of mental health disorders. In continuation of the development of new knowledge and technologies in psychiatry, both TMS Treatment APN treatment will only become more effective in the future to support as many people in their efforts to improve the quality of their lives.