With the subspecialisation of psychiatry in the UK, clinicians may encounter problems at the interface between specialties. This article focuses on the interface between general adult psychiatry and behavioural neurology/neuropsychiatry. Important interface issues include the identification of psychiatric symptoms in patients with organic brain pathology and the remit and organisation of general and specialist services. Options for optimum cooperation are presented alongside practical examples of clinical issues of neuropsychiatric relevance.

The novels of the Icelandic Nobel laureate Halldór Laxness depict individuals who are confronted by personal, familial and societal challenges in an isolated, sparsely populated and unpredictable but sublime and almost magical land. Novels which are currently available in English translation carefully illustrate the potentially damaging consequences of parentlessness, childhood abuse, physical illness, unexpected bereavement and marital desertion; the often corrosive effects of social and economic inequality; and the undermining of the lives and aspirations of women by patriarchal institutions. The Great Weaver from Kashmir is probably his least well-known novel but addresses many of these themes: most of its characters fall by the wayside and only a few thrive on adversity.

There have been many developments in mindfulness-based approaches (MBAs) since the original mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course was first delivered in the 1980s. There are now a variety of mindfulness approaches, which are used to good effect in a range of psychological and physical health disorders. The addictions field first witnessed the development of relapse prevention techniques more than 30 years ago. MBAs have been adapted for use in relapse prevention and can be offered as a mindfulness-based relapse prevention (MBRP) course. MBSR or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) courses may also be useful for those with addiction problems. In this article, we describe the MBAs that are commonly offered at present. We highlight ways in which these approaches may be useful in the addictions feld. We also make suggestions for clinicians who may be interested in offering MBAs within their own service.

College tutors for psychiatry trainees are National Health Service (NHS) consultants who have responsibility for organisation and delivery of postgraduate education and learning opportunities for the core trainees in NHS trusts. College tutors are responsible for monitoring the progress of trainees through the core training schemes. Tutors have various roles and responsibilities in teaching and training. Being a tutor can be a rewarding experience and any consultant interested in postgraduate teaching should consider becoming one.

This brief article gives key demographic, socio-economic and health information for the Argentine Republic, with special emphasis in the field of psychiatry and mental health. It also informs about the country's mental health legislation and ongoing epidemiological research projects. It points out deficiencies and obstacles encountered in meeting the population's healthcare needs, and suggests developments to improve this situation.

When embarking on mental health research it is often necessary to apply for approvals from one or more review bodies to ensure that the research is ethical and that the safety and well-being of participants are safeguarded. This can be complicated and time consuming, particularly to those unfamiliar with the process. In this article we describe the approvals commonly required for National Health Service-based research involving patients and endeavour to clearly explain what is involved at each stage. We then highlight some of the main considerations, including ethical aspects, which are particularly pertinent to conducting research in the field of mental health, and finish with general advice and considerations for future developments in the area.

Journal clubs are a mandatory aspect of psychiatric training in the UK, yet are not always seen as a stimulating experience. Clarifying the aim of the club and tailoring it to the needs and wishes of the audience is an essential step. Teaching skills in critical appraisal is often seen as the main purpose of journal clubs. Depending on the audience, being able to formulate questions from clinical dilemmas, search the literature, and integrate research evidence, clinical expertise and the patient's needs and wishes may be as important. Linking these tasks in the journal club with routine clinical practice increases the chances of changing attitudes and behaviour and thus influencing care. New approaches to using social media and online formats mean that journal clubs are no longer restricted to a particular place or time, although the social aspect of meeting colleagues continues to be important for many.

The health and social care landscape in the UK is changing, and there is now, more than ever, a real need for doctors to embrace leadership and management. Evidence shows that medical leadership is associated with better outcomes for patients. Psychiatrists are particularly well suited to such roles, given the interpersonal skills and self-awareness that they develop in their training. In this article, we examine the role of the psychiatrist in leading at a patient, team and organisational level and the impact this has. We also discuss different leadership and management styles.

The use of PowerPoint has become nearly ubiquitous in medical education and continuing professional development; however, many alternatives are emerging that can be used in its place. These may confer some advantages, but they also have potential drawbacks. It is helpful that educators are aware of these new presentation options and their pros and cons, including any financial implications and issues of data protection. This article considers the role of technology in teaching and learning, identifying underlying assumptions that are often made. It identifies and appraises technology that can be used with or instead of PowerPoint to best facilitate deep learning. The potential pedagogical benefits and practical limitations of these technologies are considered, and strategies are highlighted to maximise the impact of PowerPoint where it is the software of choice.

Peer-supported open dialogue is a variant of the ‘open dialogue’ approach that is currently practised in Finland and is being trialled in several countries around the world. The core principle of the approach is the provision of care at the social network level, by staff who have been trained in family, systems and related approaches. These staff include peer workers, who will help to enhance the democratic nature of the meetings around which care is centred, as well as enabling such meetings to occur where networks are fragmented or lacking. Certain organisational and practice features and underlying themes are key to the approach. Crucially, open dialogue is also a system of service provision. Staff trained in peer-supported open dialogue from six National Health Service (NHS) trusts will launch pilot teams in 2016, as part of an intended national multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Keeping up to date with the best evidence on treatment interventions is an essential part of clinical practice, but it can seem an overwhelming task for busy clinicians. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses provide a useful and convenient summary of knowledge and form an essential part of an evidence-based approach to clinical practice. However, these reviews vary in methodology and therefore in the quality of the recommendations they provide. Clinicians need to feel confident in their skills of critical appraisal, so that they can assess the relative merits of systematic reviews. In this article we discuss the strengths and limitations of different types of evidence synthesis to enable the reader to feel more confident in assessing the scientific information to use in clinical practice.

Continued learning is essential to doctors' safe and effective practice throughout their careers. To improve the care they provide, they need not only to acquire new knowledge and skills but also to consider how their current practice compares and what they need to change. Such reflection is not usually automatic; time, and often help from peers, is needed to make it effective; formalised, this is continuing professional development (CPD). Revised guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists emphasises the importance of linking learning to improved practice through reflection and promotes the CPD peer group's role in supporting psychiatrists to do this.

We outline benefits and problems of introducing internet-based approaches (e.g. e-learning, social networking) into journal clubs. We also look at potential risks to the continuing existence of clubs posed by the changing health economy and the move in psychiatry from clinical medicine to community care. Overall, we are optimistic for the journal club's survival.