Royal College of Psychiatrists Research This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

The evolving mental health landscape in Singapore [Reflection]
Singapore is a multi-ethnic Asian society with a unique sociocultural and economic background. This is an overview of the characteristics of psychiatry in this nation in terms of service provision, mental health funding, education and training, and the challenges it faces in the midst of an evolving mental health landscape. Over the past 5 years, Singapore has maintained a closer tie with the Royal College of Psychiatrists through the the College’s Membership examination. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - July 1, 2014 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ho, C. S. H., Ho, R. C. M., Mahendran, R. Tags: Reflection Source Type: research

Undertaking clinical audit, with reference to a Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health audit of lithium monitoring [Special articles]
This article addresses some of the practical steps involved in conducting an audit project, and, to illustrate key points, draws on lessons learnt from a national, audit-based, quality improvement programme of lithium prescribing and monitoring conducted through the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health. (Source: Psychiatric Bulletin)
Source: Psychiatric Bulletin - June 2, 2014 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Paton, C., Barnes, T. R. E. Tags: Special articles Source Type: research

[Editorial] Mental health and wellbeing in children and adolescents
On March 25, an important milestone was reached in making children's and adolescents' mental health, wellbeing, and development everyone's business. A UK consortium, including the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of General Practitioners, and others, launched a new website, MindEd, funded by the Department of Health and aimed at any adult who is working with children, young people, and families. It consists of free online information and education modules that support anyone interested in recognising what healthy behaviour and development is, how wellbein...
Source: LANCET - April 4, 2014 Category: Journals (General) Authors: The Lancet Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

The long case: a case for revival? [Editorials]
Until 2003 the long case was the clinical component of the two summative examinations for the Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych). This changed to an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) format, initially for the Part I examination, and more recently to the Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies (CASC) at the end of 3 years of basic training. Although there are distinct advantages to the objective, competency-based assessment, questions remain on its validity. The expectation that formative workplace-based assessments would fill in the void left by the loss of the long case has n...
Source: Psychiatric Bulletin - December 2, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Michael, A., Rao, R., Goel, V. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research

[Editorial] New guidelines on transgender health
Seeking treatment for gender dysphoria, the variance between the gender identity and the visible sex of an individual, can be extremely distressing. People often avoid seeking help because they fear ridicule, guilt or shame, or have concerns about delays in getting treatment. A report published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists on Oct 25, after 10 years of multidisciplinary collaboration and endorsed by 13 different organisations, is the UK's first set of good practice guidelines for assessing the needs of adults with gender dysphoria. (Source: LANCET)
Source: LANCET - November 2, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: The Lancet Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

Benzodiazepines: Risks and benefits. A reconsideration
Over the last decade there have been further developments in our knowledge of the risks and benefits of benzodiazepines, and of the risks and benefits of alternatives to benzodiazepines. Representatives drawn from the Psychopharmacology Special Interest Group of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Association for Psychopharmacology together examined these developments, and have provided this joint statement with recommendations for clinical practice. The working group was mindful of widespread concerns about benzodiazepines and related anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs. The group believes that whenever benzodiaz...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - October 15, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Baldwin, D. S., Aitchison, K., Bateson, A., Curran, H. V., Davies, S., Leonard, B., Nutt, D. J., Stephens, D. N., Wilson, S. Tags: Commentary Source Type: research

Could more than three million older people in England be at risk of alcohol-related harm? A cross-sectional analysis of proposed age-specific drinking limits
Conclusion: age-specific drinking recommendations proposed in the Royal College of Psychiatrists Report would increase the number of older drinkers classified as hazardous alcohol consumers to a level greater than found among young adults aged 16–24. (Source: Age and Ageing)
Source: Age and Ageing - August 16, 2013 Category: Geriatrics Authors: Knott, C. S., Scholes, S., Shelton, N. J. Tags: Research Papers Source Type: research

Trends in cultural psychiatry in the United kingdom.
Abstract Cultural psychiatry in the United Kingdom exhibits unique characteristics closely related to its history as a colonial power, its relationship with Commonwealth countries and the changing socio-demographic characteristics of its diverse population throughout the centuries. It is not surprising, therefore, that the emergence of this discipline was centred around issues of race and religion. After a brief historical review of the development of cultural psychiatry and the mention of pioneering intellectual and academic figures, as well as the evolvement of the field in organizations such as the Roya...
Source: Advances in Psychosomatic Medicine - July 4, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bhui K Tags: Adv Psychosom Med Source Type: research

Workplace-Based Assessments in Psychiatry: Evaluation of a Whole Assessment System.
CONCLUSION There is evidence that with suitable training of assessors and trainees, WPBAs can be introduced and are feasible in assessing some competencies. PMID: 23771296 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: The Journal of American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training)
Source: The Journal of American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training - June 19, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Tags: Acad Psychiatry Source Type: research

Taking Spiritual History in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review of Instruments
Conclusions: FICA, SPIRITual History, FAITH, HOPE, and Royal College of Psychiatrists scored higher in our analysis. The use of each instrument must be individualized, according to the professional reality, time available, patient profile, and settings. (Source: Explore)
Source: Explore - May 1, 2013 Category: Nursing Authors: Giancarlo Lucchetti, Rodrigo M. Bassi, Alessandra L. Granero Lucchetti Tags: Review Source Type: research

Student mental health: a cause for concern?
A few minutes wisely invested in an internet search of ‘student mental health’ results in access to a very wide range of resources. Some are student friendly, for example the website http://www.studentsagainstdepression.org. Some are focused on policy-makers and practitioners in higher education, an example being the guidance provided at Lancaster University on mental health planning, guidance and support. In a previous editorial the establishment and contribution of the ‘Mental Well-being in Higher Education’ (MWBHE) group was noted. This group has representation from the British Association for Co...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - April 12, 2013 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Towl, G. Tags: Confidentiality, Informed consent, Legal and forensic medicine Editorials Source Type: research

Clinical dashboard: use in older adult mental health wards [Original papers]
Aims and method To explore the experiences and attitudes of mental health professionals working in acute elderly care to a new clinical dashboard system. Metrics were identified from the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Accreditation for Inpatient Mental Health Services - Older People (AIMS-OP); these were tracked from baseline to 6 months. A questionnaire was developed and distributed across the three clinical areas involved in the clinical dashboard mental health pilot. Results Staff completed the questionnaire 3 months after the initial implementation. At this point the benefits of the introduction of the dashboard...
Source: Psychiatric Bulletin - March 1, 2013 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Daley, K., Richardson, J., James, I., Chambers, A., Corbett, D. Tags: Original papers Source Type: research

Student mental health; below the radar?
In 2011, the Royal College of Psychiatrists issued a report on the mental health of students in higher education. The report made recommendations for psychiatrists and the National Health Service, for Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and a broader category of ‘all sectors’. One of the challenges of working with this potential group of patients is that students may well live within the area of the university for around half the year and elsewhere for the other half. Organisationally, this can create additional problems when compared with those with a fixed address the year round. The report emphasises the impo...
Source: Evidence-Based Mental Health - January 9, 2013 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Towl, G. Tags: Editor's choice, General practice / family medicine, Suicide (psychiatry), Competing interests (ethics) Editorials Source Type: research