Index Rational for Topic Selection Positive or Negative Impact on Practice How IT Skills and Knowledge Were Used Conclusion References Technology has become a necessary integral part of healthcare that helps in the assessment, monitoring and treatment of patients and their conditions. Nursing informatics uses nursing care and technology to promote positive patient outcomes. Lee (2014) believes that information technology will improve nursing practice, allow quicker access to patient information, and improve overall efficiency. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay This article will discuss access to telemedicine specifically for patients with mental health issues and address the rationale behind topic selection. It will also include the negative and positive impact on practice, the pros and cons and how IT skills and knowledge have been used to develop this document. Rationale for Topic Selection Mental health is an area of ​​health care where government funding is typically cut before other areas of health care. . Accessing mental health services can be difficult for patients depending on where they live and what services are available for that area. The advancement of technology in nursing could be especially beneficial for patients in rural areas and those suffering from mental health crises. Communication between patients and healthcare team members is essential to improving healthcare quality and patient outcomes and should not be limited by rural living. Telemedicine or telemedicine is a growing area of ​​healthcare that allows remote patient access to nurses and doctors via computer, tablet or smartphone. Telemedicine is real-time communication in which, according to Gallagher-Lepak, Scheibel, and Gibson (2009), nurses generally are the point of contact for healthcare, serving as patient monitors for this exciting new technology. Telemedicine offers the nurse the opportunity to assess the patient's condition and act accordingly. According to the Center for Connected Health Policy (nd) telemedicine is a two-way interaction between a person (patient, healthcare provider, or provider) and a provider using audiovisual telecommunications technology. Telemedicine is a viable option for patients in need of medical intervention and allows the flexibility to receive medical advice or intervention from the comfort and safety of your own home. Wennberg (2020) highlights that with the shortage of mental health care providers, telemedicine is an effective way to address the rural shortage. Medicaid will reimburse many states where telemedicine is used. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (n.d.) reports that, for Medicaid purposes, telemedicine seeks to improve health by enabling real-time, two-way communication between the patient, doctor, or practitioner at the distant site. Therefore, you can meet the patient's needs if they choose to seek help and not have the added burden of wondering or worrying whether the telemedicine visit will be covered. Positive or Negative Impact on Practice As with any topic, there are pros and cons that must be considered to determine if there is a real benefit. Starting from the professionals you can support itthat access to telemedicine for patients with mental health problems could decompress emergency departments, minimize wait times and allow quicker access to a nurse or doctor. Patients who present to the emergency room with a mental health crisis often wait several hours or days before being evaluated by a psychiatrist. Additionally, the patient will often be involuntarily committed to ensuring that they cannot leave the facility prior to such an assessment. Lawes-Wickwar, Mcbain, and Mulligan (2018) write that telephone support has been effective in improving medication adherence and reducing symptom severity and hospital days. During a hospitalization the patient will have aA 1:1 observer is instructed to ensure that the patient does not harm himself or others, this is neither pleasant for the patient nor economically beneficial for the organization. Often the patient is medically cleared to take an inpatient bed while waiting for transfer to a psychiatric facility or for community services to be arranged. Pratt, Naslund, Wolfe, Santos, and Bartels (2014) believe that telemedicine intervention supported by nursing health care management is useful for improving the management of psychiatric illnesses and reducing acute services. If a patient can use telemedicine services, there is a high probability that they can receive outpatient care without the added inconvenience of a long hospital stay which may also include lost wages for the patient. Telemedicine according to Finnegan (2020) allows patients to speak with a doctor, request prescription refills, and promote patient well-being through active participation in their care. The knowledge that a nurse or doctor is reachable from the patient's home can provide the patient with an added sense of security in the event they are suffering from a mental health crisis. Disadvantages of telemedicine may be limited internet and cell service as they may not be accessible in the patient's area, especially if rural or monetary reasons may prevent the patient from taking advantage of these services. Mehrotra et al. (2016) write that rural beneficiaries who received a telehealth visit lived in a poorer community than those who did not receive a telehealth visit. There may also be a lack of technological ability on the part of the patient as not everyone has the same skills when it comes to using a computer or smartphone. Nurses are not exempt from this either, there are plenty of nurses who struggle with technology as it becomes more and more integrated into their practice. In a study conducted by Koivunen and Saranto (2017) they identified barriers related to nurses' skills and attitudes, nurses' work and operations, organizational factors, patients and technology. Another major concern with telemedicine is the severity of the patient's crisis. If it becomes apparent to the nurse or doctor that the patient is in imminent danger of self-harm, there is the additional burden of calling for help at the patient's location. While if the patient was present, measures are taken to ensure patient safety. The negative impact of telemedicine on practice is the lack of physical interaction between patient and nurse or between patient and doctor as it is more impersonal than being face to face. The positive impact on practice is the ability to remotely monitor patient and adherence to prescribed treatment and drug regimens. How computer skills and knowledge were used The computer skills and knowledge used in the development of this assignment are.12445