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To investigate whether young people referred to a paediatric specialist fatigue service present with higher levels of autistic traits or have higher prevalence of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), than those found in the general population.
Methods
143 initial assessment reports of young people presenting to a paediatric specialist fatigue service were audited over a 5-month period to identify cases where a previous diagnosis of ASD has been documented, or the assessing clinician has recommended referral for an ASD assessment, or autistic traits have been documented in neurodevelopmental screening. Comparative data on age, gender, age of symptom onset, duration of symptoms, reported symptoms, comorbidity, family history, and sleep difficulties was then explored to help us identify/understand the profile of the young people who present to our service. Routine mental health screening questionnaire data from the Revised Children's Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) was analysed in addition to clinical reports regarding mental health comorbidities.
Results
Of the 143 young people presenting to the specialist fatigue service over the 5-month period, 16 had a diagnosis of ASD, and 41 were suspected as having ASD. In total, 39% of service users had, or were suspected of having, ASD. The prevalence was higher in female service users than males with a total of 48% of female service users having, or being suspecting of having ASD, compared with 22% of males. Comparative data demonstrated that autistic/suspected autistic young people presenting to the service were more likely than their neurotypical counterparts to be: over 13 years old, have a longer symptom duration before presentation, have an Educational Health Care Plan, report friendship difficulties, have a family history of neurodiversity, report sensory difficulties, and have sleep difficulties. RCADS scores found that the ASD group were more likely than the neurotypical group to have clinical levels of anxiety (58.3% vs 15.3%) and depression (80.6% vs 58.3%).
Conclusion
Our audit suggests that there is a higher prevalence of young people with ASD/ASD traits presenting to a paediatric fatigue service than found in the general population. Reasons for this may relate to undiagnosed ASD presenting as severe fatigue due to the energy draining nature of camouflaging, as well as sensory overload, known as autistic burnout. Do we need to develop a specialist treatment pathway which is better adapted to these young people's needs? We are planning a follow up study and focus groups to explore this complexity further.
Long-acting injectable buprenorphine (LAIB) is an opiate substitution therapy which controls cravings and other symptoms for at least 28 days. Using this medication eliminates daily visits to the pharmacy, the risk of deviation or overdose from OST and death from overdosing with opiates. Many of those on LAIB return to the lives they left before they became addicted to opiates, but some require additional support from a new bespoke psychological service.
The new service with funds for two years opened in March 2023. An evaluation of the service is required before funding ends to ensure renewal. Here we discuss the costs, benefits and assumptions we have used to demonstrate cost effectiveness.
Methods
Patients referred to the service are asked questionnaires and clinical outcomes at the start and end of the programme. We have used the EQ5D throughout as from this we can calculate the QALYs that NICE uses to value cost effectiveness. We have extrapolated that the benefit will last 4 years based on the COBALT study (Wiles 2016). We will be following the patients up at 12 months to test this but have no funds to follow up to 4 years. We have assumed that patients would have remained the same without this therapy.
Results
The service has a budget of £23,812 a month and 5.17 patients a month (n = 31 July to December 2023) completed treatment. The average gain in EQ5D utility score per patient (n = 33) at discharge was 0.234 [0.140, 0.328]. If the quality-of-life score (EQ5D) at discharge is maintained in the same way as that for CBT in the COBALT study, the total number of QALYs gained from referral to 4 years would be 0.876. The cost-effectiveness ratio is therefore £5,261 per QALY gain. If the assumptions are correct and the patients retain this benefit this could be easily offset by savings elsewhere that have not been estimated in this evaluation.
Conclusion
Our analysis shows we are cost effective, but we may be cost neutral due to the potential savings accrued due to less substance misuse – currently costed at £58K per user per year (Home Office). The use of additional questionnaires for assessing NHS resource use or criminal activity could derail the success by overburdening participants. Evaluating roll out to other sites needs to be costed and proportional.
With thanks to all who have helped with an infectious enthusiasm – we may be cost-effective.
Psychiatric inpatient hospital, although part of secondary care, is separate from a physical health hospital and therefore does not have access to electronic referral systems, which increases efficiency of referral processes. As part of an admission clerking for all inpatients in psychiatric hospitals, the admitting doctor takes a history of past medical issues, a physical examination, electrocardiogram and bloods. Depending on findings, further radiological and cardiac investigations may be warranted. Not having access to electronic referral systems can cause delay in delivering treatment for psychiatric inpatients, especially when referral pathways is unclear. The aim of this quality improvement project is to increase the knowledge of referrers in order to improve efficiency completing referrals and reduce incorrect referrals. With clinicians able to refer for routine imaging correctly and in an efficient manner, it is hoped that this will correlate with an improved quality of care received by patients.
Methods
Firstly we assessed the knowledge of currently employed trainee doctors, via a web-based survey, on how to refer for routine and commonly ordered radiological and cardiac investigations. Employed referrers included core trainee, GP and foundation year trainee doctors. We then created an electronic referral pack which includes a guidance and referral forms provided to clinicians when they start employment at Lambeth hospital and accessible to current trainees. A follow up survey then reassessed the knowledge of these referrers.
Results
There was a total of 11 responses received from survey prior to sending out the electronic referral guidance pack, of which 100% believed that it would be helpful to have a referral guidance pack. A total of 4 responses were received after sending out the guidance. The surveys showed that there is improved knowledge of how to refer for routine radiological and cardiac investigations after guidance was sent. Prior to sending the guidance, 9.1% referrers were made aware of the referral process, and this increased to 50% after the referral guidance pack was sent out.
Conclusion
Trainee doctors in psychiatric hospitals require more support with physical health management in psychiatric hospitals, including referring for physical health investigations, as referrers cannot access electronic referral systems used in physical health hospitals. Results need to be correlated with clinical outcomes in future. A longer term project could include linking the electronic referral systems between psychiatric and physical health hospitals.
Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) is an umbrella term for symptoms inadequately explained by structural disease or damage. FSS show complex causality, and fall between the gaps in mainstream medical epistemology and/or mind-body dualism. Lack of explanations for FSS exacerbates uncertainty, anxiety and stigma for patients, and contributes to fragmented care and inappropriate management. We aimed to develop an open access health-educational resource that provides an acceptable, relevant, and usable explanatory model of FSS to internet users.
Methods
We carried out a participatory design study to develop the website bodysymptoms.org. Explanatory concepts were developed through iterative stages of dialogue between individuals with lived experience of multi-system FSS (n = 7), researchers, healthcare professionals and designers/developers. Initial explanatory components were collected from currently existing patient education about FSS, a review of the literature, and participants’ illness narratives. Principles were developed to filter, and organize these explanatory components into a coherent model. The model was translated into 5 European languages and through iterative rounds of feedback incorporated a diverse range of perspectives.
Results
We describe the explanatory model that developed through the bodysymptoms project, and considerations that arose through the dialogic process. The model is based on the body as a complex adaptive system with causal interactions operating across bio-psycho-socio-ecological levels. Mechanistic processes that can maintain persistent symptoms were chosen as the main nodes (or topics) of the model, and minor topics were structured to demonstrate interactions between mechanisms. Considerations that arose during the process included coherence across philosophic, scientific and clinical levels of explanation; a therapeutic model of agency, within which explanations empowered without blame; the need to introduce notions of biological time, like body rhythms and body memory; and the role of multi-media, embodied metaphors and lived experience narratives in communication of the explanatory model. Personalisation of the model was achieved through embedding the structure of the model into the graphical and navigational structure of the website, which allows website visitors to explore the model in a non-linear manner, tailored by relevance, acceptability, and prefered level of information.
Conclusion
We present results from a research in action study to develop a novel resource for understanding functional somatic symptoms. bodysymptoms.org is based on the model of the body as a complex system that adapts in personal ways. To explain FSS there is a need for new ways to understand the body and how we become unwell. Bringing diverse perspectives into dialogue generated new forms of knowledge and allowed the power of scholarship to be harnessed for immediate shared value.
1. To assess the current video gaming provisions on an inpatient CAMHS ward.
2. To gather feedback from young people on the ward on the current provisions and gather suggestions for improvements.
3. To implement any suggestions of improvements.
4. To organise regular group gaming sessions for groups and to allow access for individual use.
5. To gather feedback following implementation on how to improve further.
Methods
Using surveys, we gathered feedback on attitudes to recreational gaming, interest in gaming social events, preference for individual gaming and on thoughts of the current gaming facilities in a London inpatient CAMHS unit, from a cohort of young people admitted to the ward.
Based on this feedback we sourced funding for a Nintendo Switch from Gaming the Mind Charity and purchased a Nintendo Switch for the Unit along with preferred games.
Regular group gaming sessions were integrated into the ward activity schedule. Additionally, access for individual use was also facilitated.
Further feedback on implementation was gathered from the young people.
Results
Based on initial survey feedback, a majority of young people on the ward indicated that they enjoyed gaming and that it was a good way to “have fun, relax or socialise”.
Feedback suggested the current provisions on the ward (consoles and games) were outdated and not used frequently.
Nintendo Switch received most suggestions for best new addition to the ward.
Game suggestions included: Mario Kart 8 deluxe, Wii sports, Splatoon 3, Mario super smash bros and Minecraft.
After implementation of social gaming events into ward timetable, follow up feedback was positive, suggesting that the majority of young people who engaged in recreational gaming activities on the ward benefited from this. Feedback suggested it was beneficial in terms of mood, socialising, and as a distraction from difficult emotions.
Conclusion
Improving access to recreational video gaming consoles and games within inpatient settings is a valuable way to offer activities to improve mood and social interactions between young people in an inpatient CAMHS setting. Follow up research into efficacy would be of benefit.
On October 5, 2023, Ubisoft Entertainment SA (Ubisoft) released Assassin’s Creed Mirage, the thirteenth installment in its video-game series launched in 2007. Since its inception, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has engaged hundreds of millions of players around the world; the most recent estimates indicate that Mirage players number in the millions.1 Set in 9th-century Baghdad, the game centers on Basim Ibn Ishaq, a character introduced in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (2020). The authors of this article served as consultants and collaborators for the game, under the auspices of the Digital Lab for Islamic Culture and Collections (DLIVCC), based at the University of Edinburgh. As such, we were among the external historians and institutions who helped create and contribute to the game’s educational feature.2 This article offers reflections on our collective experiences working on Assassin’s Creed Mirage, reviews historical representation of Islamicate cultures in video games, discusses the remit of the DLIVCC consultancy, and identifies some structural challenges to diversifying and decolonizing video games and game-development processes.3 Lastly, we propose steps for scholars and institutions wishing to broaden the impact of their research through decolonization work across the academic, video games, and GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) sectors.
The community mental health team (CMHT) is actively involved in reviewing mental health patients who require commencing psychotropic medications. The responsibility to prescribe the psychotropic medications falls on the CMHT for the first 3 months. After this period, if the patient's mental health is stable, the prescribing role can be transferred to the GP by completion of an electronic shared care agreement (ESCA).
This project aimed to improve the management of emergency prescriptions (FP10s) requiring ESCA within the North Hub CMHT, BSMHFT focussing on reducing administrative time in receiving numerous urgent phone calls for repeat prescriptions, timely completion of ESCA and updating the electronic prescribing system.
Methods
Data collection was done by logging the numbers of the following on a weekly basis:
1. FP10s issued.
2. Calls related to FP10s.
3. ESCA sent.
Baseline data was collected over 11 weeks to analyse practice. Plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycle was used to improve the processes from January to August 2023. Identified PDSA cycles included:
1. Clinician prompt reminders to check ESCA status.
2. Document FP10s instances on issue and inform patient about ESCA during outpatient appointments.
3. A 4-week system for managing FP10s at reception desk.
4. Increase consistent use of and access to EPMA.
Data was collected again for 4 weeks in December 2023 to assess sustainability of the implemented changes.
Results
This project resulted in a 14% reduction in the number of FP10s requiring ESCA and a 27% reduction in the number of calls for FP10s from January to August 2023. Data measuring sustainability in December 2023 showed a total reduction of 64% from the baseline of 28 FP10s per week at the beginning of the project (January 2023) to an average of 10 FP10s issued per week in December 2023.
Conclusion
In conclusion, patients benefit from having a clear understanding of where their medications will be issued from thus improving their experience with the mental health service. Having effective processes in the CMHT enables medical professionals to complete the ESCA in a timely manner. Altogether this reduces burden on all professionals and reduces costs of prescribing by transferring the prescribing responsibilities to GPs. This project has been effective in reducing the number of weekly emergency FP10s issued. The 4-week system of managing FP10s at reception has now been included in the Medication Management's new procedure and guidance and is being introduced across all CMHTs in BSMHFT.
At-distance and out-of-region admissions form a significant proportion of inpatient admissions in CAMHS. The recent national “Far Away from Home” study which investigated the impacts of these admissions for young people, parents/carers and services identified an inconsistent and/or lack of easily accessible information about inpatient units. Parents and young people reported that when there was a lack of easily accessible information about the unit they would be admitted to, this increased their distress and negative views about the admission before they had even arrived. In contrast, those who found useful and positive information felt more reassured about the admission, even if it was far away. Our aim was to create an expert-by-experience designed standardised template of the minimum information that all inpatient units would be required to make publicly available.
Methods
We carried out regular expert consultation meetings with young people and parents/carers with lived experience to co-design a standardised template of information that units would provide for young people and their families on their websites and in printed form.
Results
In early meetings the information currently presented by inpatient units was reviewed and discussed. Young people and parents/carers highlighted what they found helpful and unhelpful as well as what was missing. The young people and parents/carers discussed the layout, aesthetics, and functionality that they would like to see on unit websites. They also discussed the content which would be helpful for young people and their parents individually as well as what both groups would want to know. This included realistic and practical information about the unit itself, visiting, local amenities and available funding support.
Conclusion
In collaboration with young people and parents/carers we have created an expert-by-experience designed standardised template of information that all inpatient units will be asked to provide on their website. Better information provision prior to admission will reduce anxiety and uncertainty for young people and their families. We anticipate this project will also contribute towards improved staff/patient/carer relationships because of clearer expectations and understanding.
"Euphoria,” an American television show portraying the lives of teenagers, centers around Rue Bennett, a seventeen-year-old biracial girl grappling with substance misuse and comorbid mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder. Rue's risky behaviors in the series mirror real-life challenges faced by adolescents dealing with substance misuse. This study aims to explore harm reduction strategies that could benefit Rue, emphasizing the need for such approaches to improve safety in non-abstinent adolescents. By focusing on harm reduction rather than strict abstinence, the goal is to meet individuals where they are in their journey and foster sustainable positive change.
Methods
Employing a qualitative approach, this study conducted a thematic content analysis of relevant episodes from seasons 1 and 2 of “Euphoria.” Additionally, a literature search was carried out using online databases, including PubMed, PsychINFO, and Google Scholar, to identify relevant literature on harm reduction strategies for adolescent opiate users from 2019 to 2024.
Results
The analysis uncovered multiple instances of Rue's risky behavior. Major themes included polydrug use, self-medication, overdose, association with dangerous individuals, self isolation and withdrawal management. Examining Rue's journey identified harm reduction strategies which could minimise her risk of harm, such as fentanyl test strips, Narcan, and psychoeducation in safer consumption practices, supported by existing literature.
Conclusion
Rue Bennett's character in “Euphoria” underscores the imperative need for harm reduction approaches in substance use interventions for adolescents. The study highlights the potential effectiveness of harm reduction strategies, including Narcan and psychoeducation in minimizing risks associated with opiate use. Rue's narrative emphasizes how these methods could contribute to creating a safer consumption environment for non-abstinent individuals. Integrating harm reduction principles into real-world interventions is crucial for promoting holistic well-being and challenging stigmatizing attitudes toward substance use.
To reach the target of 100% for VTE (venous thromboembolism) prophylaxis data submitted for all St Charles Older Adult inpatients.
Methods
It was found at the start of the QI project, the service was at 63% (August 2023). I reviewed this data and discussed it with the ward managers of the older adult inpatient wards and implemented two PDSA cycles. I went through the ward list of service users and noted on the database who had an outstanding VTE prophylaxis check. From this, I then created a section for the nursing handovers to include whether each service user had their VTE prophylaxis forms filled in and whether VTE prophylaxis was appropriately prescribed. The wards have a weekly MDT meeting where this could be discussed and all staff could be reminded to document the VTE data on the trust data system. I rechecked the data two months later to see if the data had improved. Following this, I created a VTE poster to be distributed via email to ward staff and hung up in the ward doctors' offices to help educate staff on the importance of VTE prophylaxis. The statistics were rechecked two months later for further improvement.
Results
At the start of the QI, it was found that the service was underperforming in reaching its target of 100% of the VTE prophylaxis data entry for all service users in older adult inpatient wards. After implementing the first PDSA cycle, the data increased to 84% compliance (October 2023 data). After implementing the second PDSA cycle, the data increased to 100% compliance (December 2023 data). The data showed both implementations had a significant impact on the data input and the target being reached. The new strategy has now been firmly placed into the team working pattern as a routine measurement and continues to be actively utilised.
Conclusion
In an older adult inpatient ward setting with service users who have co-morbidities, reduced mobility and risk of dehydration from self neglect, it is vital they are assessed appropriately for VTE risk factors and prescribed the appropriate prophylaxis. Once this was highlighted to the ward staff and an easy system of the PDSAs were implemented, the team are now able to actively input the data and provide optimal care for the service users.
During the Second World War, Germans, Austrians and Italians living in Great Britain were designated as ‘enemy aliens’ and consequently interned. The worsening situation on the continent in May and June 1940 stirred up hysteria that spies and saboteurs could be amongst the Germans and Austrians. Mass arrests started in May 1940, and Italians were soon caught up in the detentions when Mussolini declared war on 10 June, thus filling internment camps to capacity. Canada and Australia agreed to take some of the ‘most dangerous characters’, facilitating the most controversial aspect of internment – deportation – which led to the ultimate tragedy when the SS Arandora Star was torpedoed and sunk on 2 July 1940. Building on previous scholarship that focuses on either German or Italian internment, this article examines both government policy towards and the internee experience of these two groups on an equal footing, thus furthering integration of the Italian narrative within internment historiography.
The Personality Disorder Service in the Northern Health & Social Care Trust was originally set up to deliver evidence-based treatment for people with the diagnosis of personality disorder. This group of people historically have been stigmatised, excluded and let down by services, despite their complex needs and frequent history of childhood trauma. The team developed a Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT) programme originally commencing in 2013.
To identify recent completers of the MBT 2 18 month programme and to assess whether there was any reduction or change in pattern to the number of days spent as inpatient both during and after having completed the programme, whether there was a reduction in the frequency of same day assessments with community mental health teams or unscheduled care and finally whether there was any reduction in terms of volume of crisis assessments and presentations to Emergency Department.
Methods
Using validated Quality Improvement Methods, a Plan Do Study Act Cycle was commenced which involved identifying patients who had begun and finished the MBT programme and minimum of 12 months had passed since completion in order to follow-up.
We then broke down this data into 3 domains. By using EPEX, Paris and Electronic Care Record computer systems, it was possible to analyse days spent as inpatient, same day assessments and crisis assessments as well as Emergency Department attendance.
For these periods of time, they were split into pre-commencement of programme (18 months), during programme (18 months) and post-completion of programme (12 months) to see if there was any tangible decrease in these numbers.
19 service users were identified that had initially been referred to Personality Disorder Service between 2016 and 2018 and who subsequently began MBT2 programme between 2017 and 2019. Given the length of completion of the programme, this allowed us to gather a full set of data with regard to these patients up to completion of programme in 2021. Subsequent period of 12 months was then analysed post-completion of treatment taking us up to 2022.
Results
The average time spent in inpatient admission days prior to starting therapy for 18 months (n = 19) was 21.74 days, this decreased to 6.53 during therapy and 3.68 post-therapy (12 month follow-up) = 5.52 adjusted for 18 months. This represents a reduction of 74.61%.
The average number of same day assessments and unscheduled care (n = 8) seeking prior to admission was 1.38. This decreased to 0.75 during therapy and 0.88 post-therapy adjusted to 1.32 for 18 months, which represents a small decline of 4.35%.
Finally, the average number of Crisis contacts and Emergency Department assessments were 2.63 in the 18 months before commencing therapy, 1.26 during therapy and 0.58 in the 12 months post-therapy, 0.87 adjusted for 18 months. This represents a reduction of 66.92%
Conclusion
It is clear from analysis of the data that there has been a substantial decrease in time spent as admitted inpatient as well as number of contacts with Crisis Assessors and Emergency Departments in association with completion of the MBT 18 month programme.
This demonstrates that, by using an evidence-based and well-established programme, which carries a high time commitment for both service users and practitioners, it is possible to considerably reduce use of other, more acute services and keep patients with a diagnosis of EUPD out of hospital longer and on a sustained basis and also to reduce presentations to Emergency Departments which was often on the basis of self-harm and/or overdoses.
The dual result is that it can be validated objectively that service users are suffering less distress after having completed the programme, which will lead to better quality of life, whilst also reducing the burden on costly inpatient services with the end result being an important investment in mental health services in Northern Ireland and the prototype for the developing regional service.
Irritability is a common symptom in children and adolescents, often resulting in referral to mental health services and is associated with depression. Depression in adolescents and adults at familial risk of, and with depression, is associated with reduced risk-taking on the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) particularly when the chance of winning is high. However, little is known about risk-taking in irritability. This study tests the hypothesis that increased irritability is longitudinally associated with later risk-taking behaviour on the CGT; specifically, that increasing irritability is associated with lower risk-taking when the chance of a favourable outcome is high.
Methods
We conducted a longitudinal study of the biological offspring of parents of children with depression (n = 337). Irritability, the exposure, was measured at wave one using the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Assessment (CAPA). The primary outcome was risk-taking to obtain reward at varying probability ratios (6:4, 7:3, 8:2 and 9:1) measured by the Cambridge Gambling Task (CGT) at waves two and three. We investigated the longitudinal association between irritability at wave one and average risk-taking at each ratio across waves two and three using multi-level models. The extent to which risk-taking according to probability ratio varied with irritability was tested with interaction terms. We ran univariable models and then multivariable models.
Results
In univariable (n = 207; Coef. 0.006, 95%CI −0.011–0.023, p = 0.470), and fully adjusted (Coef. 0.011, 95%CI −0.007–0.029, p = 0.213) models there was no evidence of a main association between irritability and risk-taking on the CGT. There was evidence of an interaction between irritability and risk-taking ratio (p = 0.019). In fully adjusted models including the interaction, a one-point increase in irritability was associated with relatively higher risk-taking at the less favourable ratios (6:4 – 0.018 (95%CI −0.002–0.037) and 7:3 – 0.015 (95%CI −0.005–0.035)) relative to the more favourable ratios (9:1 – 0.001 (95%CI −0.019–0.021) and 8:1 – 0.011 (95%CI −0.008-0.031)).
Conclusion
We found no evidence of relationship between irritability and subsequent risk-taking on the CGT overall. However, there was some evidence that those with higher irritability were relatively more risk-taking when less likely to win compared with when a favourable outcome was more likely. These findings warrant further investigation of the association between prior irritability and later depression in a larger community cohort. If prior irritability and depression are both associated with risk-taking, this strengthens the case for focussing on risk-taking as a potential target for preventive intervention.
The audit aimed to study missed seizure frequency, management, and restimulation rate at NHFT's ECT clinic.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of ECT treatments administered between October 1, 2021, and March 21, 2023, collecting data on stimulation frequency and doses, duration of motor seizures and EEG activity, and patients' demographics. The study compared current practice with the NHFT ECT protocol, which defines missed seizures as treatments failing to induce convulsions and EEG activity. Management entails restimulation at least once or twice according to the stimulus dosing protocol during the seizure-threshold (ST) determination phase or by increasing the dose by 10% (50 millicoulombs) during the treatment phase, alternatively recording reasons for not re-stimulating. The ratio of missed seizures to total stimulations was used to determine the missed seizure rate, and the ratio of total restimulations to missed seizures was used to calculate the restimulation rate.
Results
The clinic provided 268 treatment sessions and 26 courses of bilateral ECT to 23 patients aged 17–84 years, primarily female (60%) and Caucasian (74%), with a 12.6% missed fit rate and a 67.5% restimulation rate. Thirty missed seizures occurred during the initial ST determination phase, with twenty-two restimulated. Four of these could not be restimulated due to the maximum limit of three stimulations per ECT session. Seven missed seizures occurred later in the treatment phase, with three restimulated. For restimulations during the seizure-threshold determination phase, only eight of the twenty-two restimulation doses matched the stimulus dosing chart, and over half of these patients were stimulated at a lower-than-recommended dose. Once a seizure was generated and the threshold was identified, suboptimal maintenance doses were chosen, with 47% of patients stimulated on the same dose and 37% on doses only marginally over the ST in consecutive sessions. During the treatment phase, two out of three restimulations were performed with a dose lower than the specified 10% increase. The reasons for deviating from the guidelines were not documented.
Conclusion
National audits of ECT clinics in 1981 and 1992 showed 50% and 25% missed seizure rates, respectively. Bridgend ECT Clinic maintained a missed fit rate of ≤5% over a 6-year period, which is half that of NHFT. Missed seizures have been associated with treatment failure and post-ECT adverse effects; hence, to effectively manage them, we propose that all ECT administration personnel be familiar with the NHFT ECT protocol, including the stimulus-dosing protocol, and document any clinical grounds for deviations.
In line with the 2023 legislative change and move to the New Standard of CESR, this will be an informative and educational presentation directed at CESR applicants, and Local Trusts who wish to implement support for CESR. With this suite of support we aim to dispel concerns relating to CESR.
Methods
Mapping guidance to the New Standard of CESR. Production of College guidance in line with the legislative changes, to support success in CESR. Building a CESR Network for all stakeholders.
Results
Delivery of training, a suite of guidance and CESR Roadshows across the four nations.
Conclusion
Creating awareness and spreading communication. Ongoing support for Applicants, Trusts and other CESR stakeholders. Clarity for Applicants, particularly in relation to which Cohort to select, what evidence to include and how to submit a successful application first time.
Psychosis is a common neuropsychiatric symptom associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), with prevalence rates of up to 75%. Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) is associated with increased morbidity, caregiver burden, depression, poorer quality of life and progression of dementia. It has also been shown to be a strong predictive factor for long term care placement, and results in up to 71% increase in risk of mortality compared with PD patients free from psychotic symptoms. Use of antipsychotics for PDP is common, with up to 35% of PD patients prescribed at least one antipsychotic within 7 years of PD diagnosis. This systematic literature review aims to search, appraise and synthesise the best available and most up-to-date evidence for the use of antipsychotics in the treatment of PDP, and their effects on PD motor symptoms.
Methods
We carried out a comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA statement for systematic reviews.
Results
Four studies investigated quetiapine, three investigated olanzapine, two investigated clozapine and a further two investigated pimavanserin. Both quetiapine and olanzapine showed no significant improvement for PDP over placebo, however meta-analysis of olanzapine groups showed significant motor worsening, UPDRS +2.89 (95% CI 1.22 to 4.56) compared with placebo. Clozapine showed a significant improvement in psychosis vs placebo in both studies, with a large effect size in their primary outcome measure; -0.82 (95% CI -1.37 to -0.26), -0.89 (95% CI -1.42 to - 0.36). Pimavanserin showed significant improvement in psychosis vs placebo -0.48 (95% CI -0.77 to -0.18). Quetiapine, clozapine and pimavanserin showed no significant worsening in motor scores vs placebo group.
Conclusion
Although Olanzapine and Quetiapine are commonly used to treat psychotic symptoms in Parkinson's Disease, the only medication with robust evidence is Clozapine. This finding may have implications for service delivery.
• Identify themes in experience of Postpartum Psychosis (PP) recovery in Mother and Baby Units (MBUs) from the perspective of mothers, partners and MBU professionals.
• Develop a Conceptual Framework of recovery from PP in the MBU setting.
Methods
Systematic review using published and unpublished literature identified through database searches and grey literature sources. A narrative synthesis approach was taken and used to form a Conceptual Framework of recovery from PP in the MBU setting.
Results
Four databases were searched, yielding 8 includable studies. A further 3 grey literature sources met the inclusion criteria. Most of the sources focussed on the womens' experience of recovery.
Stakeholders experienced MBUs as providing a positive therapeutic milieu for recovery. The broad themes identified for improvement encompassed: knowledge of PP, accessibility of services and discharge practises.
Conclusion
This review provides valuable insights into the experience of recovery from PP within UK MBUs from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders. Areas for improvement identified include antenatal education on PP, knowledge of PP amongst non-specialist healthcare professionals, partner involvement in care, and discharge processes.
The outcomes of this review have the potential to shape the design, implementation, and expansion of MBUs and their practices both nationally and internationally.
To review compliance with current blood monitoring guidelines of Older Adult Community Mental Health (OACMHT) patients who are on clozapine within the community teams of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust. This is for full blood count, prolactin, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C), liver function, renal function, lipid profile, glucose, and clozapine assay.
Methods
Our trust guidelines state the following blood parameters should be monitored every 6 months:
1. Full Blood Count (FBC)
2. Glucose (fasting if possible)
3. Prolactin
4. Urea & electrolytes (U&E)
5. Lipid profile (fasting if possible)
6. Liver Function Tests (LFT)
7. HbA1c (annually)
8. Clozapine plasma assay (annually)
We reached out to the medical secretaries of the following OACMHTs: Wyre Forest, Malvern Evesham & Pershore, Worcester & Droitwich, Redditch & Bromsgrove to collate a list of patients on clozapine. We then retrospectively looked at blood test results in the past 1 year from 31.12.22 to 31.12.23 and assessed compliance of the 8 haematological parameters.
Results
In total, 7 patients were identified across the 4 OACMHTs caseloads who were on clozapine. In the past 1 year, we would expect 2 episodes of monitoring for FBC, Glucose, U&E, Prolactin, Lipid profile, and LFT, as well as 1 episode of HbA1C and clozapine drug levels.
Compliance for FBC monitoring for 2 episodes was achieved for 100% (n = 7) of the patients. Compliance for 2 episodes of glucose and prolactin monitoring were 0%. Compliance for 2 episodes of renal profile monitoring was 57% (n = 4), but 86% (n = 6) of the patients had at least 1 episode of renal profile monitoring. Compliance for 2 episodes of Lipid profile monitoring was 0%, however 43% (n = 3) of the patients had at least 1 test. In terms of LFTs, 71% (n = 5) of the patients achieved the expected 2 episodes of monitoring, and 100% of them at least 1 episode of monitoring. For HbA1C monitoring, 100% of the patients had the expected 1 episode of monitoring annually. For clozapine plasma levels, 43% (n = 3) of the patients achieved their expected annual episode of monitoring.
An interesting observation of note was that a number of blood parameter investigations were performed by GPs/hospitals as part of another investigation, not exclusively for the sole purpose of clozapine monitoring. For example, 50% of the U&Es, 33% of lipid profiles, 71% of LFTs, and 43% of HbA1c tests were done by the GP/hospital.
Conclusion
The OACMHTs within our trust achieved 100% compliance with FBC and HbA1c monitoring in the past 1 year. 71% compliance was achieved with LFT monitoring, 57% was achieved with U&E monitoring and 43% compliance was achieved with the annual clozapine monitoring.
With regards to tests done by GP/hospitals, on one hand, repeated phlebotomy of patients would come with increased direct medical (equipment, facilities) and non-medical (time) cost to service and intangible costs (pain) to patients. It would also not be cost effective to repeat these tests if done recently. Hence one could use recent test results as part of their monitoring routine. However, if these patients do not happen to see their GPs or have a hospital admission for unrelated issues, would they have missed their ideal monitoring targets? This unpredictability of timely monitoring raises the question of whether there is a need for the creation/standardisation of clozapine clinics within the OACMHTs, especially if the clozapine patient caseloads continue to grow.
There is still little information available on the negative impact of online activities on psychotic experiences. This limitation is further compounded for online gaming, where even a beneficial impact has been suggested via the evocation of positive emotions. We aimed to examine how problematic online gaming (POG) is associated with subsequent psychotic experiences in adolescents.
Methods
This birth cohort study employed randomly sampled adolescents born between September 2002 and August 2004. The eligibility criterion was those who did not have psychotic experiences at age 14. We analyzed the association between POG at age 14 and subsequent psychotic experiences at age 16. Adolescents were categorized into the no, low, and high POG groups based on the behaviors and emotions related to online gaming at age 14. Missing data were handled using random forest imputations.
Results
A total of 1722 adolescents without psychotic experiences at age 14 were analyzed. At age 16, 55 adolescents exhibited psychotic experiences, while 225 showed potential psychotic experiences. Compared with the no POG group, a higher risk of psychotic experiences was shown in both the low (RR 1.93, 95% CI 1.74–2.15) and high (RR 2.81, 95% CI 2.50–3.15) POG groups. Findings were consistent when analyzing potential psychotic experiences.
Conclusion
POG appears detrimental to the development of psychotic experiences in adolescents. Our findings provide public health implications in the context of policymaking.
Background. The importance of the social determinants of health (SDOH) is increasingly recognised. However, medical students are taught about them as epidemiological facts. We established a programme in North Wales involving prison placements for medical students, accompanied by specific teaching to contextualise SDOH to individual patients’ mental health problems. This is being evaluated over a four-year follow-up. We report findings of qualitative evaluation of the second-year cohort.
Methods
Individual interviews with students and free text data from questionnaires were analysed thematically.
Results
Previous teaching about SDOH:
• “You do not understand until you see it in your own life. Lectures do not always deliver a point.”
• “Mentioned but not very explicit session like here.”
Baseline knowledge and attitudes to SDOH
• “I knew mental health and social determinants are a lot intertwined, but I would not have thought of it in such depth before coming here.”
• “I knew what SDOH were, but I have not seen it on this scale.”
• “Some students related the teaching to their personal experience of hardship.”
Prison placement
“I think the prison placement has given invaluable teaching about psychiatric conditions.”
“I…think it helps widen experiences in medicine, seeing a different perspective of healthcare.”
“I enjoyed the prison experience. It gave me the social aspects of health, and especially in the prison, it is clear and visible.”
Impact of the placements
“Humbling experience. A lot of patients I saw had some sort of childhood trauma.”
“Maybe I will be treating someone that is not as privileged or someone who's been in prison, so it's important…”
“Learned to have confidence when taking patient history. Do not feel awkward when asking medical questions such as suicide.”
SDOH incorporation into medical education
“Introducing the modules in medical school would be good before the students meet the patients, as the social aspect is a big part of the history.”
“These sessions need to be integrated throughout the module rather than at one point as social determinants also play a role in other specialities, not only psychiatry.”
Conclusion
In previous publications, we reported positive responses to prison placements. By integrating a module about SDOH, students can develop a broader understanding of health and gain the awareness needed to address these factors in clinical practice.