Component Task: A Visit to Traditional or Faith-Based Healers

This is a purposeful visit by the RCPN to a Traditional or Faith Based healer’s establishments where patients suffering from mental illness among others are camped. The nurse renders care with respect to the clients’ identified health needs.

Aims

·         Educate clients and caregivers on the WHO’s Quality Rights of persons living with mental illness

·         Inspect license of the institution

·         Identify new clients

·         Follow up on known clients

·         Educate and promote best practices in the camp

·         Help initiate referral processes for clients who need further treatment

·         Reduce complications

Requirements

·         A Well-Equipped home visit bag

·         Community Map and or GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS)

·         Manual/electronic area register/ records of the client

·         Means of Transportation

Steps

1.        Read map of the community and identify the location of the camp

2.      Enter the camp and greet accordingly

3.      Identify in-charge of the camp

4.      Establish rapport and introduce self to camp in-charge

5.      Explain purpose of your visit to the camp in-charge

6.      Observe environment for cleanliness and safety of the camp

7.       Enquire from the in-charge the presence of clients with mental illness

8.      Ask about general health of client if any

9.      Enquire about specific complaint that brought clients in to the camp

10.    Find out other treatment alternatives available for clients whiles in the camp

11.      Ask about data of identified clients if any and confirm data with client or client’s family if possible

12.    Ask about diet and eating pattern of clients from camp in charge or attendants

13.    Enquire about recreational activities available for clients

14.    Find out about infections prevention measures in the camp

15.    Thoroughly assess clients and prioritized their health needs

16.    Draw a care for their health needs

17.    Assist in providing any other care if required

18.    Encourage the camp in-charge to always refer clients whose conditions need further treatment or regular medical checks to mental units or health facility

19.    Refer problems beyond scope to the nearest unit or health facility

20.  Inform camp-in charge and clients about your next visit

21.    Leave your contact with camp-in charge and encourage him to call in case of emergency

22.  Document the care and findings in report book

23.  Express appreciation and depart