https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/introducing-work/
https://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/introducing-work/
https://www-citethemrightonline-com.ezproxy.mdx.ac.uk/MHN 1803 essay guide.
Summary Two-thousand-word essay based on case study of Adam & Marcus. Focus is on assessment.
Imagine you are sent by the GP to see them at home to gather more information / further more detailed assessment. Bio (biological or body) / Psycho (thinking & mood)/ social (environment / home / community/ family) or mind, body & soul.
Please choose 1 physical and 1 mental health related problem (see below) demonstrating a safe assessment of these problems in more detail. Please draw on appropriate models and frameworks e.g. The Tidal model, and demonstrate a knowledge of which assessment tools might be relevant.
(A model is like a general approach or way to understand something but a tool is more specific, like a questionnaire on depression which typically involves a score of some form).
What do you regard as important and why? (Using supporting evidence and data to contextualise and demonstrate why the issues raised by them have a particular importance from a public health point of view.) All of the issues below can have a more serious meaning behind them. They can all either indicate or lead onto a more serious or complex problem that could result in a more complex problem later on. Our job is to be alert and curious about what is really going on, how bad is it , what is the impact on the couple e.g. could the memory problems be early signs of dementia or if the diet is neglected could it lead on to complex problems from diabetes that could lead to an expensive and avoidable hospital admission for surgery etc
Physical issues(1) Diet, (2) Sleep, (3) breathlessness and mobility.
Mental Health Issues
(1) Medication & mood, (2) memory, (3) social isolation.
Basic essay structure should be Introduction, main body or discussion, conclusion. Wording is a very rough guide. - see Markers guide for more detail.
Use short sentences if you need to get a point across. Use paragraphs that have a focus or central theme then link paragraphs together in a way that leads your points or themes forward logically and seamlessly. Do not try to pack unrelated things into the same paragraph. Keep it simple, not simplistic.
A paragraph should be a distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme.
intro setting aims and identifying the two problems for assessment. 200
This essay is based on Adam and Marcus a couple with a number of health-related issues. For this essay the focus will be on sleep and medication & mood. Assessment will include discussion with both men and relevant others. Confidentiality will be respected and the aim is to demonstrate collaborative working in line with the ethos of the Tidal model (NMC 2019). Assessment will also include the use of a number of specific assessment tools, including a sleep chart/ diary, Becks Depression Inventory and also investigations for physical health e.g. B/P & BM. Focus will be on the impact that the problems have on their sense of self and previous functioning / lifestyle. This will include changes in role and status and how they cope with adjustment. The health issues will be put in a wider context and data from sources such as the World Health Organisation & Office for Health Improvement and Disparities will be used to better understand the extent of the problems faced. Research relating to specific issues will also be used e.g. Prof Moncrieffs research on anti-depressant medication. (181 words used in this example).
Section on assessment what it is etc AND the one nursing model you useTidal Model was strongly advised . 400
The Tidal Model of care will be used as a framework to explain the issues and the impact they have on the sense of self and health of Adam and Marcus. This Holistic Assessment approach would be used to gather information in relation to sleep and mood change in relation to stopping anti-depressant medication. To do this I will first summarise how the model could help with understanding mental distress as a metaphorical voyage of discovery using the ocean as life and the couple as a ship upon this changing sea.
The Tidal Model of care is .... see learning material on module page.
Main body of essay involving assessing Marcus or Adam, or both (600 each assessment)
Discuss the assessment of each problem individually eg using holistic assessment / Psychiatric interview.
Should demonstrate who and how they talk to others e.g. asking them questions from the psychiatric interview. Do not list questions. Anticipate how they may be feeling e.g. what has the GP said to Adam in relation to stay on the anti-depressant medication and how using the Tidal approach, might you empathise with him. Or the concern he may have for Marcus and what the future may hold i.e. as an educated man he is likely concerned that Marcus may be in the early stages of dementia (so how might that make him feel and should you be curious about that?)
Explain the assessment using tools eg sleep chart, B/P etc. Essentially Adam & Marcus are facing changes in their situation. Personally and socially these once fit professional men with respect and responsibility at work and in their community are now in a position where they may require help and assistance. You can offer alternatives to this interpretation but they need to demonstrate an alertness to potentially serious issues and prioritise the assessment accordingly eg poor sleep linked to heart disease. NO care planning eg what he needs to do to improve. High scoring students will refer to current research- 600 each health issue.
Conclusion 200
A proper conclusion quickly outlines the key evidence discussed in the body of the essay. It directly ties it to the central question to show how the evidence supports the main argument of your work. You should not introduce new information in your conclusion.
This essay used the Tidal Model as a framework to help with the assessment of Adam & Marcus. The metaphor of this period of distress being likened to a storm can be used and the focus on them as ship maybe needing to use help to navigate this temporary storm or if needs be, dock for repair of his ship. Problems with mood & medication were prioritised as a major concern given the research linking stopping SSRI medication to poorer health outcomes, particularly poor sleep, and in extremis to suicide. PHE identifies poor mental health / depression etc as a major preventable cause of death in the UK, data supported on an international level by WHO (ref 2020)...Any presentation with a significant change to sleep pattern is suggestive of a serious mental and potentially physical health problem (NICE, 2020) and investigations eg BM ,would be used as a gauge to future change.
Adam / Marcus was (were) assessed with particular regard to the possibility of the onset of a depressive illness or dementia (ref ICD). The BDI / MMSE was used to screen for this but more comprehensive assessment may be required prior to a formal diagnosis, typically Xweeks. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities detail increasing rates of depression & anxiety in the older age population that Adam & Marcus belong to (ref 2020) ... Treatment and management is varied and with support its possible that Adam can manage to recover and regain control of his mental and physical health ... (Ref 2020) Involvement of family / community / significant others, can be vital to support.... Advances in medication also (ref 2020) ... Cultural aspects regarding his situation were of special significance
Referencing around eight to ten sources, may Include Public health England (PHE) now called Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, WHO & NHS, NICE & ICD.
https://www.nhs.uk/livewell/insomnia/documents/sleepdiary.pdf
This is a structured guide as to what your essay might look like. You do not have to follow this format but for some students its helpful to have a very structured guide like this. For students who do not require such structure please know that you are at liberty to present your essay as you see fit so long as it answers the essay question and in so doing meets the learning outcomes. Not all essays will look the same. Not all essays will use the same tools, not all essays will consider the same things so you can still get top marks with essays that are different.
