title: Psychiatric liaison nurse for neurosurgery: an innovative approach to management of chronic pain.
abstract: A fundamental aim of the Neurosurgical Unit at Georgia Baptist Medical Center is to enable each individual to return to normal and meaningful functioning. The problem of chronic pain almost always results in a steady decrease in those activities, interests, and concerns which are essential to the normal process of living. When the process is disrupted, the result is usually a feeling of despair and uselessness. These problems will almost inevitably complicate the pain experience. In addition, the ever present stress that accompanies severe and chronic problems of any sort tends to result in related psychological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, feelings of inadequacy and a multitude of other family and personal problems. These difficulties often become major features of an individual's pain problem. A holistic approach to patient care is based on the concept that each individual needs to be considered physically, psychologically and spiritually. The active participation of the psychiatric liaison nurse as a member of the neurosurgical team helps integrate the forces that enable such an approach. By focusing on a thorough patient assessment, improved staff morale and improved well being of patients, the psychiatric liaison nurse assists the team in focusing its energy on total comprehensive patient care. The combination of clinical neurosurgical treatment and psychological care has proven effective in helping our neurosurgical team achieve the fundamental goal toward which we all work.
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000451:nursing; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008950:MMPI; D009013:Morale; D009493:Neurosurgery; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing