If we know one thing about healthcare, we know that it is not easy and that no matter how hard we try, we won't be able to save or help everyone. There are always going to be roadblocks either in the system itself or that our patients put in place themselves. There are a variety of challenges specific to the mental health population setting. First, psychiatric medications are notorious for being complicated to use, variant effects in each patient, and typically come with a boat-load of side effects. These limitations make treating these patients' diseases and disorders very difficult. Patients with psychiatric illness (especially severe illnesses) also are more likely to have unstable living/work situations (homeless, difficulty keeping jobs). This can make it difficult for patients to maintain their health, keep adherence to their medications, make it to doctors appointments, and be able to afford healthcare to begin with.
Above are just a couple of the many barriers in treating patients, but rather than focusing on the negative, I wanted to end this blog update a little more positive. Focus on what you CAN accomplish. Take pride and joy in EVERY "win" you have with every patient, because otherwise, you'll spend more time worrying about those that you can't help and will end up minimizing those that you can. Don't always focus on the big, flashy things that you think are most relevant, because more times than not, your patient's will appreciate the small details/gestures much more.
Acknowledge the challenges, find a way to work around them, and go change a life!
-Jen
Above are just a couple of the many barriers in treating patients, but rather than focusing on the negative, I wanted to end this blog update a little more positive. Focus on what you CAN accomplish. Take pride and joy in EVERY "win" you have with every patient, because otherwise, you'll spend more time worrying about those that you can't help and will end up minimizing those that you can. Don't always focus on the big, flashy things that you think are most relevant, because more times than not, your patient's will appreciate the small details/gestures much more.
Acknowledge the challenges, find a way to work around them, and go change a life!
-Jen