Browsing by Author "Benbow, Kyle L."

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    Benefits of Integrated Care in Mental Illness Management
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2014-04-11) Benbow, Kyle L.; Bonfils, Kelsey A.; Salyers, Michelle P.
    Many people who suffer from serious mental illness have comorbid physical conditions that can cause further disability. Integrated care combines physical and mental health facilities, focusing on coordination and continuity of treatment in order to better serve patients dealing with multiple health conditions. The present study analyzed qualitative interviews conducted individuals with conditions with severe mental illness and comorbid physical health conditions, speaking about benefits of integrated care. Forty adults receiving services from a community mental health center were asked their opinions about integrated care and what steps could be taken to improve these services. Transcribed interviews were reviewed by two people, searching for common themes within the text. Many positives were highlighted throughout these interviews including the convenience of coordination of care, along with the ability to make one trip for all their medical needs, and the friendless of the on-site staff. Results showed that consumers using integrated care felt a value in its benefits. As the practice of integrate care continues, further research into the connections between mental and physical health can start being conducted. The communication between doctors of different fields presents opportunities to potentially develop new treatment plans and models for therapy. Integrated care is an excellent platform that combines the ability to better serve the community by providing multiple services to those in need while providing another opportunity to research and understand the connections between physical and mental health issues.
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    Benefits of Intervention in Managing Chronic Pain
    (Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 2014-04-11) Benbow, Kyle L.; Miller, Megan; Scott, Eric; Kroenke, Kurt
    As studies of individuals with chronic pain continue more is being understood about cognitive and behavioral components that drive pain. While the goal of treatment is to reduce or eliminate the locus of pain, another model known as intervention, focuses more on self-management and cognitive change. The presented research is the 12-month results of trails of intervention for chronic pain management. Three hundred participants were recruited from the VA of Indianapolis. All participants were being seen in a primary care setting for severe pain that persisted for more than 3 months. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group, which would continue receiving the usual care for their pain; and the variable group, which would receive intervention. Intervention methods included automated home-based monitoring, selective care manager calls, weekly case review with MD specialist and escalation of therapy using an evidence-based stepped care analgesic algorithm. Participants pain was measured using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), which is a self-report assessing the severity of pain and impact of pain on daily functioning. The trial results showed that a 1-point difference in BPI scores between the intervention and control group. Participants in the intervention group showed a good adherence and satisfaction with automate and nurse components of intervention. These results show pain management through intervention has a positive effect on pain, which in turn has an effect on depression, anxiety, and outlook. Intervention aims to empower patients to become active participants in the management of their illness and feel more in control of their pain in hopes of giving them a better outlook of their situation.