Training Mental Health Nurses to Assess the Physical Health Needs of Mental Health Service Users: A Pre- and Post-test Analysis

Purpose
The aim of this project was to develop, deliver, and evaluate a brief evidenced-based education package to enhance physical health literacy in mental health nurses.

Design and Methods
Pre- and post-test survey of knowledge of physical health in serious mental illness, satisfaction with the workshop, and applicability to practice.

Findings
Participants were motivated to attend and complete the questions. There was statistically significant knowledge gain immediately post workshop and participants described satisfaction with the content and a willingness to apply learning from the session to their practice.

Practice Implications
If such workshops are provided as a collaborative and relatively inexpensive way of education, they can contribute to building the capacity of mental health nurses to be literate in physical health interventions.