11 results
Gogledd Cymru-Peer Supervision in Psychotherapy (GC-PSP): What Are Lessons Learned After Two Years?
- Jiann Lin Loo, Manjula Simiyon, Rajvinder Singh Sambhi
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 9 / Issue S1 / July 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 July 2023, pp. S29-S30
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Core trainees in psychiatry (CT) must attain competencies in at least two psychotherapy modalities before they are allowed to sit for the final Royal College of Psychiatrists’ membership exam. The common training approaches in the United Kingdom include regional training workshops, weekly Balint groups, and access to individual supervision. Some CTs express their wish to have extra opportunities to practice psychotherapeutic skills and discuss cases in order to enrich their experience in learning psychotherapy. Therefore, the peer-led GC-PSP, i.e. Gogledd-Cymru (North Wales) Peer Supervision in Psychotherapy is conceptualised as a quality improvement project (QIP) for North Wales CTs. This article aims to illustrate the lessons learned after two years of GC-PSP.
MethodsA baseline survey was done to identify trainees’ ideas, concerns, and expectations in psychotherapy training and weekly one-hour supervision sessions were set up in May 2021. Sessions were facilitated by a speciality trainee (ST) in psychiatry with experience in psychotherapy. The agenda was determined on the day based on the specific issue or expectation brought up by trainees which could include: clarification of psychotherapeutic concepts and knowledge learned elsewhere, skill training through role-playing, case formulation of clinical encounters, discussions on suitable intervention, and any topics that were relevant to psychotherapy or combination. Subsequent written and verbal feedback was gathered.
ResultsA total of 48 sessions had been conducted in two years, with 37.5% covering knowledge teaching, 45.83% skills training, and 39.58% case-based discussions. The top five modalities requested by CTs included: cognitive behavioural therapy (32.35%), psychodynamic therapy (20.59%) acceptance and commitment therapy (17.65%), motivational interview (11.76%), and behavioural activation (8.82%). The overall attendance had been inconsistent, ranging from no attendees and the highest of eight attendees comprising medical students, foundation year trainees, core psychiatry trainees, general practitioner specialist trainees, and specialist registrars.
ConclusionAlthough inconsistent attendance results in the repetition of discussions and topics, all trainees feel the extra sessions support their learning in psychotherapy in a safe space as they feel the small group discussion allows more active participation and they are able to learn from others on top of their individual supervision (positive Kirkpatrick level 1 reaction). All trainees wish to have this initiative continued and prefer a semi-structured rather than totally flexible agenda so that they can plan for their attendance, which can be a consideration for future implementation.
Audit on the Adherence to Guidelines for the Management of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in a General Hospital
- Manjula Simiyon, Rob Connah, Rhian Proffitt, Sharon Downes, Jennifer Jarvis, Catherine Baker
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 9 / Issue S1 / July 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 July 2023, pp. S177-S178
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Problematic drinking of alcohol is a common problem in the United Kingdom. As alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) suppressant, when a chronic user abruptly stops drinking alcohol, the alcohol-mediated CNS inhibition is withdrawn and the glutamate-mediated CNS excitation is left unchecked leading to a total excitation of the CNS. This results in alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). The aim of this audit was to assess the compliance to the health board's policy for management of AWS available in the intranet as NU16 which was developed based on the NICE guidelines, across the wards in the General hospital. We aimed to assess compliance concerning four aspects:
1. Initial clinical and laboratory assessment
2. Prescribing for alcohol detoxification (benzodiazepines and vitamins)
3. Scoring of and adherence to CIWA-Ar
4. Specialist advice during the admission
MethodsWe requested for the case records of patients admitted to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital during May 2022 with problematic alcohol consumption. We have received 56 case notes from the medical records department among which, 50 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A case report form was prepared based on the NU16 and anonymized data were collected.
ResultsAverage age of the participants was 56 years ranging from 21 to 95.There were 29 males and 21 females. Mean days in the hospital was 3.25(+0.88). Only 4% of the records had complete documentation of drinking history, 84% had documentation of physical examination, and 20% had the documentation of signs of Wernicke's encephalopathy. CIWA-Ar was applied in 44% with correct scoring only in 24%. Compliance to laboratory investigations varied from 16% for gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) to 84% for full blood count. Benzodiazepines were prescribed for 38%, oral thiamine was prescribed for 58%, 42% had two pairs of intravenous pabrinex three times a day and 6% had received 1 pair once a day. Benzodiazepine regimen was completed in 75% and alcohol liaison opinion was obtained only in 16%
ConclusionWe could find that there were omissions in multiple areas of adherence to the guidelines in all the four domains. Alcohol liaison team is conducting special training programs for the management of AWS for all the clinical staff in the general hospital with the aim that compliance should improve in the near future.
Assessment of Knowledge About Frailty Syndrome Among Doctors and Its Intervention: A Literature Review
- Jiann Lin Loo, Manjula Simiyon, Catrin Thomas, Shona Ginty, Wamiqur Rehman Gajdhar, Sioned Mai Griffiths, Mohammed Ibrahim Hassan Ibrahim
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 9 / Issue S1 / July 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 07 July 2023, p. S49
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Under-detection of frailty syndrome or sarcopenia can result in significant mortality and morbidity among elderly patients, especially in old-age mental health settings. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure doctors are equipped with the competency of early identification and management of frailty syndrome. To date, there is limited information about any systematic approaches to assess and improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice of doctors about frailty syndrome. This literature review is aimed to identify the tools used to assess the knowledge of doctors about frailty syndrome and the available educational intervention to improve doctors’ knowledge.
MethodsA literature search was performed in Google Scholar, PubMed, SCOPUS, Ovid, and EMBASE using the keywords of “frailty syndrome” AND “knowledge” AND “doctors”. Data collected included the assessment tool used to understand the knowledge level and the intervention used to improve the knowledge. The inclusion criteria were: studies published in English in the last 10 years which assessed the knowledge of doctors about frailty syndrome.
ResultsThere were five studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria after the title and abstract screening, two from the Americas, two from Europe, and one from Australia.
The target group of studies involved general practitioners and doctors working in the primary healthcare setting (three), orthopaedic surgeons (one), and doctors working in the trauma setting (one). Two of the studies included non-medical healthcare practitioners as their participants.
One study used qualitative semi-structured individual interviews, two used a self-report questionnaire, one combined knowledge testing and self-report questionnaire, and one study compared the clinical assessment with a validated tool.
Only one study provided an educational intervention, i.e., a single-day training course conducted by three geriatricians.
ConclusionDespite a comprehensive search, there were limited studies identified on this topic. The methods used to assess doctors’ knowledge about frailty syndrome are heterogeneous and no standardised tool has been identified in the process. There is only one study using educational intervention to improve knowledge, which was found to be effective and sustainable based on the change in self-perception, i.e. Kirkpatrick Level 1 of evaluation. There is a need to develop systematic assessment approaches or tools and training modules to improve the knowledge of doctors about frailty syndrome. Nevertheless, this review is limited only to studies published in English.
Association Between Executive Dysfunction and Relapse of Alcohol Dependence After Deaddiction Treatment – a Cross-Sectional Study From India
- Pavithra Ethirajan, Manjula Simiyon, Manikandan Mani, Jiann Loo, Pradeep Thilakan
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 8 / Issue S1 / June 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 20 June 2022, p. S73
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To assess the association between executive dysfunction and the severity of alcohol dependence, age at first drink, and the number of deaddiction treatments in the past (indicating current relapse).
MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out in the in-patient unit of the Department of Psychiatry of a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. Institutional Ethics committee approval was obtained. 43 Adult patients who were diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), admitted for deaddiction treatment, whose withdrawal symptoms were adequately treated, and who did not have a severe mental or physical illness were included in the study. The hospital has the policy to offer 21 days of inpatient treatment which comprises of detoxification, motivation enhancement therapy, group therapy, and family interventions. Only those patients previously treated in the same hospital were considered to maintain, homogeneity. After briefing the patients about the procedure, a participant information sheet was provided and informed consent was obtained. A semi-structured proforma was used to collect the demographic details and information regarding alcohol consumption. AUDIT (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test) Questionnaire was used to assess the severity of alcohol dependence. After familiarising the participants with the study and the procedure, their executive function was assessed using Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB).
ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 36(SD 7.8) years. The mean age of the first drink was 21 years (SD 6). The mean duration of alcohol dependence was 5.6(SD 3.6) years. The total number of de-addiction treatments was 2.2(SD 1.2). 58% at least had a middle school education, 30% were unemployed and 48.2% belonged to lower socioeconomic status. 72% were married and 60% had a family history of significant alcohol consumption. The average duration of total abstinence was 147.5(SD 74) days. 86% consumed spirits and 14% consumed arrack regularly. The mean score on the AUDIT scale was 26.8 (SD 7.3). The mean FAB score was 11.2(SD 4.2). 53.4% had a score of less than or equal to 12 indicating executive dysfunction. Age, (p-value-0.02) number of de-addiction treatments (p-value- 0.014) and the AUDIT score (p-value-0.04) had statistically significant negative correlation with the FAB score. Age had a positive correlation with the number of de-addiction treatments
ConclusionThere is a bidirectional relationship between alcohol use and executive dysfunction. By establishing a significant association between executive dysfunction and the number of de-addiction treatments indicating relapses, this study reiterates the importance of assessing executive dysfunction among this population, to prevent relapses. It can be used as a high-risk indicator for relapse and adequate preventive measures should be in place while treating these patients.
An Audit on the Adherence to Antipsychotic Prescription Policy for the Management of Delirium in the Medical Wards
- Manjula Simiyon, Jiann Loo, Catherine Baker, Peter Lepping, Steven Jones
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 8 / Issue S1 / June 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 20 June 2022, p. S176
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This audit aimed to assess the adherence to the anti-psychotic policy for delirium in the medical wards. It aimed to assess compliance with each of the guidelines mentioned in the health board's policy which is based on the National Institute for Health and Cares Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
MethodsAfter registering the audit, the Acute medical ward was approached for the hospital numbers of all the patients admitted in the months between January and March 2021, and 70 case records were screened. Case notes of patients above 18 years who were diagnosed with delirium including those after managing alcohol withdrawal were included. Those who were admitted only with alcohol withdrawal delirium were excluded. 47 case records were selected for data collection. A proforma was prepared based on the policy available in the intranet and data were entered.
ResultsRetrospective data of 47 patients who had delirium were analysed which included 18 males and 29 females. The mean age of the participants was 80.7 years (range 40–101; SD + 30). The mean days of referral after admission were 28(+7.07). 34%were diagnosed to have delirium by the treating team,8.5% were diagnosed by the Emergency Department (ED) team and 57.4% were diagnosed by the liaison psychiatric team. 57% had another psychiatric diagnosis. The cause for delirium was mentioned in 55% of the records and the most common cause was urinary tract infection (31%) followed by multifactorial delirium (27%). Antipsychotics were prescribed for 57% and among those who received 74% received risperidone, 15% received olanzapine, and 11% haloperidol. Compliance was 100% in prescribing appropriate antipsychotics, maximum dose, investigations (expect x-ray chest and CT scan), only 54% compliance was observed with regards to stopping the antipsychotic before discharge and in 23% it was mentioned to be monitored by the GP and another 23% by the treating team.
ConclusionThis audit has displayed the lacuna in the prescription of antipsychotics for patients diagnosed with delirium. Periodic programs will be planned and executed for training the liaison practitioners and the staff in the medical wards regarding the diagnosis and management of delirium especially the prescription of antipsychotics. A re-audit will be conducted after 6 months.
Do Chronotypes Influence Problematic Mobile Phone Use and Sleep Quality Among the Doctors? – a Cross-Sectional Study From India
- Prathyusha Gopalakrishnan, Manjula Simiyon, Manikandan Mani, Pradeep Thilakan
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 8 / Issue S1 / June 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 20 June 2022, p. S73
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This study aimed to determine the prevalence of problematic mobile phone use and its association with the chronotypes among the doctors of a medical college hospital in Puducherry, India. It also aimed to assess the feasibility of the University of Rochester Modified CAGE Questionnaire as a brief screening tool for problematic mobile phone use.
MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. After obtaining the Institutional ethics committee approval, doctors including consultants, higher trainees, core-trainees, and junior doctors working in various departments were approached and requested to participate in the study. Those who agreed were provided with the participant information sheet and written informed consent was obtained. Part-A of the questionnaire contained requests for personal and professional details and part B had the following questionnaires to assess problematic mobile phone use, chronotypes, phantom ringing and vibration and, sleep quality.
• Problematic use of mobile phone scale (PUMP)
• Reduced Morningness Eveningness Questionnaire (r MEQ)
• Questionnaire for Phantom ringing and Phantom vibration
• The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
• University of Rochester Modified CAGE Questionnaire
• Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Nonparametric tests were used as the data were skewed. The data were summarized by frequencies and percentages for categorical variables and median and interquartile range for continuous variables. The chi-square test was used to find the association between two categorical variables. Kruskal Wallis test was used to compare the chronotype with the continuous variables such as CAGE total, PUMP, and PSQ score. Correlation between different continuous variables was studied by using Spearman rank correlations. Kappa statistics were used to evaluate the concordance between PUMP and the University of Rochester Modified CAGE questionnaire.
ResultsNeither type (NT) was the most common chronotype (41.5%), followed by morning type (38%) and evening type (20%). Eight (5.6%) doctors had problematic mobile phone use, and 38(26.8%) had poor sleep quality. Evening chronotype (p-value- 0.002), being a female (p-value- 0.014), working in a clinical department (p-value 0.017) and experiencing phantom ringing (p-value- 0.001) had significant association with higher PUMP score. Even though females had a higher median PUMP score, problematic mobile phone use was more among males. University of Rochester Modified CAGE Questionnaire had a sensitivity of 81.73% (73–88.6%), and a specificity of 28.95% (15.4–45.9%).
ConclusionDoctors should be aware of their mobile phone usage. This study has reiterated the predilection evening chronotype has for behavioral addictions and doctors of evening type should be extra cautious.
Reasons for Relapse After In-Patient De-Addiction Treatment for Alcohol Dependence – a Qualitative Analysis From India
- Pavithra Ethirajan, Manjula Simiyon, Pradeep Thilakan
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 8 / Issue S1 / June 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 20 June 2022, p. S72
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To explore the reasons for relapse after receiving in-patient detoxification and de-addiction treatment for alcohol dependence syndrome, through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis.
MethodsThis study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. After obtaining Institutional ethics committee approval, patients of 18 years and above, who were admitted for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, were approached and informed consent was obtained. Patients were screened with Clinical Institutes Withdrawal Assessment-Alcohol Revised (CIWA-Ar) and 15 patients who scored less than 7, who did not have any severe medical or psychiatric illness, whose cognition was intact according to Hindi Mental Status Examination (HMSE) and those who had two de-addiction treatments in the past were recruited. In-depth interviews were conducted in Tamil, audio-recorded, and transcribed. A semi-structured guided interview format was used to gather their narratives. The transcripts were translated to English on the same day and a step-by-step thematic analysis recommended by Braun et al was followed. The interviews were conducted in a soundproof room ensuring privacy and confidentiality. The recorded audios and the transcripts were firewall protected. The transcripts were read multiple times to familiarize the investigators. By using a general inductive method the data were retrieved, coded, and systematically organized according to patterns and themes. Two investigators coded the transcripts separately and any conflict was resolved by discussion. Thematic saturation was attained with the 14th transcript but the coding was completed for all 15 manuscripts. The mean age of the participants was 26.4 years.
ResultsThe analysis resulted in the identification of reasons attributed by the patients for resuming drinking after receiving in-patient detoxification and de-addiction treatment for 21 days. This 21 days deaddiction program comprises of detoxification, motivation enhancement therapy, group therapy, and family interventions. The reasons for relapse included peer pressure, confidence that they will not become dependent again, craving, stressors, and health issues such as pain and insomnia and to test whether the treatment works or not. Reasons for the delay in help-seeking were lack of motivation, poor social support, financial constraints, lack of hope in medical treatment, did not feel the necessity to take treatment, fear of whether the doctors would be upset for relapsing again and, the guilt of letting down the treatment team. The reasons why they finally came for treatment were having severe withdrawal symptoms, pressure from a family member or employee, guilt and a desire to change, and fear of dying.
ConclusionThis research provides avenues to understand patients’ perspectives on relapse of alcohol dependence. Understanding these would be beneficial in psychotherapy while managing relapses. It also helps us to reflect on our practice and to address these issues before discharging the patients to minimize the relapses.
The Evaluation of North Wales SPiCE: Special Preparation in CASC Examination
- Jiann Lin Loo, Catrin Thomas, Manjula Simiyon, Rahul Malhotra, Nikhil Gauri Shankar, Sarmishtha Bhattacharyya
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 8 / Issue S1 / June 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 20 June 2022, p. S26
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As part of the effort to support core psychiatry trainees in North Wales to prepare for their CASC (Clinical Assessment and Skill Competency) exam, the North Wales SPiCE (Special Preparation in CASC Examination) Project has been initiated. This article aims to evaluate the SPiCE based on medical educational principles.
MethodsA total of five candidates preparing for the CASC exam expressed interest and an organising committee was set up. Examiners consisted of a consultant and four specialist registrars while role players were recruited from non-exam sitting junior trainees. Five mock CASC stations were written and role-players were calibrated accordingly. The stations included: History taking for a patient with FTD (frontotemporal lobe dementia), MSE (Mental state examination) of a patient with mania and psychosis, explanation of CBT (cognitive-behavioural therapy), breaking bad news of NMS (neuroleptic malignant syndrome), and explanation of ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). The mock exam was conducted virtually using Microsoft TeamsTM. The specialist registrars’ performances in feedback provision were assessed for their teaching using the AOT (Assessment of Teaching) form by the consultants. For core trainees who had played the part of organising committee members and role players, their volunteerism and educational management experience were assessed using the DONCS (Direct Observation of Non-clinical Skill) form by specialist trainees.
ResultsAll five candidates passed all the stations (consists of both borderline pass, pass) in the mock exam with 25% improvements in confidence level were seen among candidates in four stations, i.e. ECT explanation, breaking bad news of NMS, CBT explanation, and MSE of a patient with mania and psychosis. All candidates feel the SPiCE programme was useful in helping their final preparation and they would recommend it to other candidates. Four of the candidates sat for the immediate CASC diet after the SPiCE received a pass result. All specialist registrars received positive AOT feedback for their teaching and all non-exam sitting junior trainees received positive DONCS feedback for their spirit of volunteerism and collaborative teamwork.
ConclusionThe main strength of the SPiCE project is it utilises existing resources and volunteerism of the organising committee while its main limitation is it has only five stations rather than 16 stations in the real exam. Although the mock exam has improved the confidence of candidates and the majority of candidates pass the exam immediately after that, the causal link between the SPiCE and candidates’ results cannot be conclusively established given all candidates have a good baseline.
Adherence to Public Health England (PHE) guidance for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in north Wales mental health unit- a regional audit
- Asha Dhandapani, Sathyan Soundararajan, Alberto Salmoiraghi, Shona Ginty, Tajnin Mitu, Justina Akinlua, Catrin Thomas, Rahul Malhotra, Zeenish Azhar, Haseeb Bhutta, Hanani Taib, Nikhil Gauri Shankar, Vikram Bhangu, Gathoni Kamau, Elizabeth Chamberlain, Anna Mackenzie, Henrik PAHLEN, Hannah Lock, Aniis Rymansaib, Pauline Mclean, Rodrigo Trujillo, Manjula Simiyon, Adam Chappell, Agnieszka Gross, Gaynor Gaskell
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- BJPsych Open / Volume 7 / Issue S1 / June 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 June 2021, p. S318
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To ensure that the PPE guidance is strictly adhered to.
To ensure that patient care is not compromised.
To help us in areas of need in order to educate the staff regarding the techniques of PPE and thus ensure patient and staff safety and care during the pandemic.
MethodNovel coronavirus 2019 was first described in December 2019 in Wuhan in China. Since those initial few cases, it has rapidly proliferated to a global pandemic, putting an inordinate amount of strain on healthcare systems around the world. We believe that the technique of donning and doffing if followed as per PHE guidelines would be of help in both preventing the infection and improve the care and safety of both patients and staff.
This Audit includes both In-patient and Out-patient units in Psychiatric services across North Wales. Data were collected from 19 units out of 39. We observed covertly 325 staff members belonging to various cadres. Apart from the Donning and Doffing techniques, we also observed the availability of designated areas for this purpose and the availability of PPE as well.
Data collection was by junior and senior doctors from various sites of the mental health unit in North Wales. A proforma was provided, the standards were based on PHE guidelines.
ResultIt was noted that just about 50% of the staff followed donning as per guidance. Amongst all three sites, the Central team showed a better adherence with 85% of them donning PPE correctly. whereas only 22% adhered to donning in the West team.
Only 21% of them managed to doff PPE as per guidance amongst all 3 centres in North Wales.
It was also noted that there are no designated areas to Don and Doff in outpatient units. Staff, in general, seem to not adhere to the guidance of utilising a mask, especially when within 2 meters distance of other staff.
ConclusionWe will be presenting the Audit at the regional meeting. After discussion with the infection prevention control team and Health and safety lead, we intend to improvise the wards with designated areas for donning and doffing. Teaching sessions for the staff in all three sites, reminders in various areas of the community mental health units and inpatient units.
We are hoping that these recommendations will help us in achieving our aim of health and safety during this pandemic.
An audit of admission clerking of patients in Heddfan, Adult Mental Health Unit in BCUHB - north Wales
- Asha Dhandapani, Sathyan Soundararajan, Manjula Simiyon, Vinila Zachariah, Rajvinder Sambhi
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 7 / Issue S1 / June 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 June 2021, p. S75
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To ensure admission clerking includes salient features needed for the management of both physical and mental health of the patient and also to aid in administrative purposes.
MethodThe audit included a team of doctors reviewing the admission clerking notes for 50 patients in the General Adult Psychiatric unit in-patient ward.
We created a standard questionnaire-based on Intended learning outcome of core training in psychiatry CT1-CT3 from Royal College of Psychiatry and standard textbooks.
Our aim is to achieve 100 % compliance in clerking
ResultIt was noted that only 30% wrote their GMC number, 4% added route of admission of the patient and a mere 8% filled the Consultants name. Though almost everyone had written the presenting complaints, the other aspects such as history of presenting illness, medical and family history, Allergy status and substance misuse history were missing in many clerking notes. None of them had filled in details of personal history and very few did a risk assessment.
Further lacuna was noted with Mental state examination. Physical examination was also noted to be incomplete. While more than 50% had completed the Blood investigations and ECG, half of them had not documented it and that meant searching in the entire file. A mere 20% filled the nursing observation level whilst none had completed the formulation in the notes.
ConclusionAdmission clerking is a vital source of information that would be needed for the formulation of patients diagnosis and future management.
Apart from this, it also is needed for further continuity of care.
Hence this vital source of information will need to be shared with the junior doctors who will be clerking the patient and seeing them in the first instance.
We, therefore, intend to create a complete clerking proforma along with physical health proforma to aid us in this respect.
We will audit initially in the first round and then plan to introduce a proforma for Clerking and physical examination based on the findings.
We will re-audit to see if the standards are achieved after using the proforma and will consider a Quality improvement project based on this topic
What can be found in the spam folder? a self-study from junior researchers in psychiatry
- Nikhil Gauri Shankar, Jashan Selvakumar, Jiann Lin Loo, May Honey Ohn, Sze Hung Chua, Asha Dhandapani, Manjula Simiyon, Jawad Raja
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- Journal:
- BJPsych Open / Volume 7 / Issue S1 / June 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 June 2021, pp. S250-S251
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Thriving on the pressure of “publish or perish” experienced by academicians, the industry of predatory publishers with dubious quality has mushroomed and gained their notoriety. The battle of uncovering predatory publishers, including Beall's list, has proven to be tough given the huge monetary gain generated by the predatory publishers. It may be difficult for an inexperienced junior researcher to identify those predatory publishers’ soliciting emails, which may disguise as a reputable journal's article-commissioning process. To date, there is a limited systematic approach to identify such emails. Hence, this research is aimed to describe the common features of soliciting emails from publishers which appeared to be predatory.
MethodThis self-study involved reviewing the content of emails in the spam folder of authors, a team of junior researchers in psychiatry, for a month. Emails included in this study were soliciting emails relevant to publications and the following were reviewed: types of solicitation, sentences used, strategies used, and information available in the public domain of their webpages. Informative types of emails were excluded.
ResultThe solicitation could include: 1) request for a manuscript to be published a journal article, 2) request for a thesis to be published as a book, 3) request to write for a book chapter, 4) invitation to be an editorial member or a reviewer with the offer of free publishing, 5) invitation to be a speaker for a conference, and 6) proofreading services. The publisher may cite a published article of the author from another journal, which was the source where they identified the author's email. Common strategies used for solicitation included: 1) promising a fast-tracked and guaranteed publication, 2) using compliments that appeared to be inappropriate, 3) repetitive emails, and 4) using argumentum ad passiones to induce guilt. The common features of the webpages of those publishers included: 1) open access publishing as the only option, 2) extensive list of indexing services excluding well-established indexing agencies, and 3) the publisher has a huge collection of journals in different disciplines.
ConclusionIt is hoped that these findings will help junior researchers in psychiatry to stay vigilant to avoid falling into the trap of predatory publishers, which may result in financial loss and loss of work to plagiarism. Total eradication of those predatory soliciting emails is unlikely despite the advancement of spam filtering technology, which necessitates a more united effort from different stakeholders to come out with a probable solution.