Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38738987›Full record

Observational studyJournal of advanced nursing2025

Nursing assessment of mental health issues in the general clinical environment: A descriptive study.

Irene Ngune, Beverley Ewens, Sharlene Bell, Brendon Burns, Claire Sutton, Craig Creswell, Yvonne Middlewick

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Journal of advanced nursing, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Irene NguneSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4951-2712
Beverley EwensSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2008-7214
Sharlene BellJoondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.
Brendon BurnsJoondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.
Claire SuttonJoondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.
Craig CreswellJoondalup Health Campus, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.
Yvonne MiddlewickSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4691-9090

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimsTo evaluate the effectiveness of a mental health screening form for early identification and care escalation of mental health issues in general settings. A secondary aim was to explore general nurses' use of the form and their confidence to discuss mental health issues with patients.

methodsA cross-sectional design comprising a review of clinical records to determine use of the form, instances of missed care and escalation to the mental health team. The survey focused on nurses' confidence in general settings to engage in discussions with patients about mental health. Data were collected from April to December 2022. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement guided this study.

resultsOf 400 patient records, 397 were analysed; 293 (73.8%) of those had mental health screening by nurses. Age was a significant factor, with younger patients more likely to be screened although concerns were typically recognized in older patients. Of the 20 patients identified with mental health concerns, 9 (45%) were referred for further evaluation by the Clinical Liaison Team. While nurses were proactive in assessing physical risks, assessing risk factors that required deeper conversations with patients, including psychiatric history, was lacking. The survey highlighted fewer than half of the respondents (46%, n = 10) felt competent to engage in discussions about mental health; however, most (59%, n = 13) knew when to seek a mental health referral.

conclusionsGeneral nurses have a role in the early identification and referral of patients with mental health challenges. However, training is imperative to facilitate deeper patient interactions concerning mental health. Integrating mental health checks within general settings is crucial for early detection and intervention, aligning with global quality care standards. REPORTING

methodSTROBE guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: We received feedback that shaped the research protocol from a consumer representative.

Indexed as

Mental DisordersNursing AssessmentAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedYoung Adultadult nursingmental healthnurse rolesquantitative approachesscreening

Identifiers

PMID38738987
PMCPMC12371822

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.