Studies on patient-student relationships have to date largely focused on student attitudes. This study explores attitudes of patients with psychiatric illness in Ireland, towards medical students. Patients’ experience of consent for student involvement is an area of concern in previous studies and is also quantified here.

This was a mixed-methods cross-sectional survey of Irish adult psychiatric patients. Quantitative analysis was carried out using SPSS 22 (Statistical Product and Service Solutions, Version 22, IBM). Differences on Likert score between groups (male/female, hospital site, past experience with students/ no experience) were analysed using ordinal logistic regression with a p-value below 0.05 being significant. Qualitative data were analysed by thematic analysis using OpenCode 4.03

A total of 340 patients completed the survey. The mean age (sd) was 44.8 (16.3). 52.8% were female, 75.2% were outpatients. 24.3% had never met a medical student. Most patients were comfortable seeing students, but preferred students being passive observers. Patients with previous student experience had higher comfort levels and more positive attitudes. Although most patients (63.7%) strongly agreed they had been asked for consent, only 49.3% felt they had been given sufficient information. Qualitative data revealed preference for adequate information and notice of involvement. Patients felt pressured by student presence in certain circumstances.

Psychiatric patients are comfortable with students but many feel inadequately informed. Patients recognise the benefits of interacting with students. More information is needed regarding circumstances in which patients give consent to involvement with students

To obtainconsensus from non-consultant hospital doctors and consultants indeveloping a eLearning module for teaching non-consultant hospital doctorsabout delirium

1) A questionnaire to assess knowledge regarding deliriumwas administered to Medical NCHDs and toPsychiatry NCHDs. A 50 minute teaching session was provided to the PsychiatryNCHDs, which included an existing e-learning module for undergraduateson delirium developed in University College Dublin(UCD). Followingthis feedback was obtained regarding the module and what changes would berequired for it to meet the training needs of non consultant hospital doctors.

2) In the first step of the DELPHIprocess, feedback from medical consultants was obtained in relation to thethemes and topics to be included in the delirium e-learning module.

•In the first iteration of the DELPHI process, both NCHDs and Consultants identified relevant learning outcomes for an eLearning module on delirium for postgraduate medical trainees.

The next iteration of the DELPHI process will refine the themespreviously identified in order to achieve consensus among the NCHD andconsultant groups surveyed. This will be the basis for the design of aneLearning module about delirium.

This study was to assess the attitudes and practice of, senior psychiatric trainees with regard to bibliotherapy.

A brief online survey was used to assess the attitudes to and practice of bibliotherapy among senior psychiatric trainees in Ireland. There were 34 responses out of 82 (response rate 41.5%). Respondents were asked to indicate their agreement with three statements.

The majority 27 (79.4%) strongly agreed or agreed that they were comfortable recommending books, with none strongly disagreeing and 4 (11.8%) disagreeing. Over half 20 (58.8%) of respondents strongly disagreed or disagreed that self help books could only be a poor substitute for psychotherapy or counselling, with none strongly agreeing and 2 (5.9%) agreeing. Many 19 (55.9%) disagreed or strongly disagreed that self help books could do more harm than good, with 8 (23.5%) agreeing or strongly agreeing. Finally respondents were asked to state their awareness of prescribe-a-book schemes. 4 (11.8%) respondents reported awareness, with 30 (88.2%) unaware of any such schemes.

Although majority of senior psychiatric trainees were comfortable recommending self help books and did not consider them harmful, most were unaware of such schemes in Ireland.