Behavioral management of auditory hallucinations.
A 10-session behavioral course for self-management of auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia has demonstrated positive outcomes. This article evaluates both the course's implementation and benefits to patients attending the course. Teleconferencing, electronic media, and 26 monthly conference calls were used to educate six advanced practice nurses (APNs) at six sites about the course implementation. Thirty-two patients within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs participated in the course. All of the APNs reported course helpfulness, improved communication with patients about voices, and improved harm assessment. Of the patients, 96% found the course helpful: 67% no longer heard voices to harm self or others, and 60% had improved auditory hallucination intensity scores. The project demonstrated successful implementation and practice integration with APNs' activities corresponding to Rogers' stages of innovation adoption. Facilitators and barriers to implementation are also described.
Buffum
Martha D
MD
VA Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA. Martha.Buffum@va.gov
Buccheri
Robin
R
Trygstad
Louise
L
Gerlock
April A
AA
Birmingham
Patricia
P
Dowling
Glenna A
GA
Kuhlman
Gloria J
GJ
D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing / Q000193:education*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000193:education*; D003479:Curriculum; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000451:nursing*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires