title: Psychiatric symptoms in a community-based medically ill population.
abstract: Twenty-five home health nurses used the Psychiatric Symptom Assessment Scale to assess the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in a convenience sample of 176 medically ill clients in their caseloads. Psychiatric symptoms were observed in 74% of the clients, with somatic concerns, anxiety statements, depressive mood, tension, and helpless/hopeless statements being the most prevalent symptoms. Although most symptoms were rated as mild or moderate, several clients had severe symptoms. Implications for nursing care are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Ohio State University, College of Nursing, Columbus, USA.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Polivka
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Steel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales