Statistics in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Career Connection

Tanner (2016) defines statistical analysis as the process of collecting quantitative data for analysis of the whole through examining a part. Statistical analysis play an important role in quantitative researches or studies as it provides a suitable and effective framework for analyzing quantitative data. Given its role in analysis of quantitative data, statistical analysis is applied in various disciplines or fields of study. It is beneficial to field-independent learners and researchers as it enhances their analytical thinking when conducting a study. In addition, this analytical approach is beneficial for students in various fields of study including behavioral and social sciences. This paper discusses how statistical analysis can be used in the field of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing and discusses how statistical analysis has been applied in a sample study in this field to present information that answers a research question.

Statistical Analysis in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing

Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing is one of the most vibrant professions in the licensed nurse practitioners. Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs) focus on evaluating the mental health needs of individuals, families, groups and communities. Following their assessment, these practitioners play a critical in formulating healthcare plans and implementing treatment approaches to meet the identified needs. Additionally, they assess the effectiveness of these treatment approaches in line with the identified needs. As a behavioral and social science discipline, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing can benefit from the use of statistical analysis. Statistical analysis can be applied in the field of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing to organize and summarize huge volumes of data relating to the mental health needs of individuals, families, groups and communities. In this regard, this analytical approach can be applied when conducting mental health needs assessment to develop appropriate summaries on healthcare plans and treatment approaches for mental health patients. Statistical analysis can also be applied to determine the effectiveness of treatment approaches and healthcare plans used to meet the mental health needs of patients. Some of the projects that may involve statistical analysis in this field include mental health needs assessments, patient assessments, evidence-based researches for treatment approaches, and assessment of effectiveness of treatment.

Article Summary

Joubert & Bhagwan (2018) conducted a study in which they examined challenges faced by PMHNPs at in-patient psychiatric health facilities. The researchers sought to establish the specific challenges faced by these practitioners when caring for psychiatric in-patients and whether they are adequately trained to deal with these challenges. Some of the variables included in the study are psychiatric nurses, primary challenges in providing care, and educational preparedness. To achieve the purpose of the study, these researchers employed quantitative research approaches that involved statistical analysis. A quantitative non-experimental descriptive research design was employed by these researchers. Data collected using a survey questionnaire was analyzed using descriptive statistics, which helped to organize and summarize the results. The research report includes graphs and tables that are used to summarize findings based on the different variables. Bar charts were used to summarize the results and help the reader to understand the information better. These charts enhance readers’ understanding of the information as they present numerical data relating to the research variables. The article is helpful in my career as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practitioner as it highlights some of the primary challenges I am likely to encounter when carrying out my work responsibilities. Information in this article plays an important role in my educational preparedness to deal with challenges that occur in my work setting.