Psychiatric expert evidence and the new partial defences of diminished responsibility and loss of control [Articles]
Psychiatric expert witnesses instructed to undertake assessments of defendants charged with murder should be familiar with the partial defences of diminished responsibility and loss of control. The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 enacted major amendments to the partial defence of diminished responsibility and introduced a new defence of loss of control to replace the provocation partial defence. In this article, the changes to the law are described with particular focus on the implications for the psychiatric assessment. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Nathan, R., Medland, S. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Improving patient care through CPD: revised guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists [Articles]
Continued learning is essential to doctors’ safe and effective practice throughout their careers. To improve the care they provide, they need not only to acquire new knowledge and skills but also to consider how their current practice compares and what they need to change. Such reflection is not usually automatic; time, and often help from peers, is needed to make it effective; formalised, this is continuing professional development (CPD). Revised guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists emphasises the importance of linking learning to improved practice through reflection and promotes the CPD peer group&rsquo...
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Brookes, G. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
The value of psychiatrists in leadership and management [Articles]
The health and social care landscape in the UK is changing, and there is now, more than ever, a real need for doctors to embrace leadership and management. Evidence shows that medical leadership is associated with better outcomes for patients. Psychiatrists are particularly well suited to such roles, given the interpersonal skills and self-awareness that they develop in their training. In this article, we examine the role of the psychiatrist in leading at a patient, team and organisational level and the impact this has. We also discuss different leadership and manage ment styles. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Perry, J., Mason, F. L. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
The current state of psychiatric and mental healthcare in Argentina [Reflection]
This brief article gives key demographic, socioeconomic and health information for the Argentine Republic, with special emphasis in the field of psychiatry and mental health. It also informs about the country’s mental health legislation and ongoing epidemiological research projects. It points out deficiencies and obstacles encountered in meeting the population’s healthcare needs, and suggests developments to improve this situation. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Stagnaro, J. C. Tags: Reflection Source Type: research
Statistical analysis: a practical guide for psychiatrists [Articles]
This article is a practical guide for psychiatrists who want to apply basic and straightforward statistics in their research. It describes ways of summarising data and provides an overview of statistical tests for comparing patients’ characteristics. Measures of association such as correlation and regression are also explained, along with principal components analysis, a method for reducing the dimensionality of data. Explanations are clarified using data from the published studies. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Nikolaou, V. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
The beginning of the end of prohibition: the politics of drug addiction [Articles]
Misuse of drugs such as opium, cocaine and cannabis was common around the world before the First World War and it provided a valuable market for the colonial powers. There seems to have been a brief period of sobriety between the two World Wars, along with widespread criminalisation of drug dealing and use, followed by an explosion of the illicit drug market and the hugely expensive US-led ‘war on drugs’. The cost and impracticality of drug criminalisation, together with changes in Western public opinion, mean that cannabis legalisation has very recently been accepted in some countries and drug prohibition is b...
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Luty, J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Lessons from akrasia in substance misuse: a clinicophilosophical discussion [Articles]
This article explores the philosophical concept of akrasia, also known as weakness of will, and demonstrates its relevance to clinical practice. In particular, it challenges an implicit notion of control over one’s actions that might impede recovery from substance misuse. Reflecting on three fictional case vignettes, we show how philosophical work on akrasia helps avoid this potentially harmful notion of control by supporting a holistic engagement with people for whom substance misuse is a problem. We argue that such engagement enhances their prospects of recovery by focusing on agency over time, as opposed to indivi...
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Radoilska, L., Fletcher, K. D. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Ketamine as a rapid antidepressant: the debate and implications [Articles]
This article debates the question of ketamine as an antidepressant, considering the drug’s addictive potential, ethical concerns about prescribing a hallucinogen, the evidence base and motives behind ketamine trials. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Ho, R. C. M., Zhang, M. W. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Ketamine: a novel antidepressant with a fast onset of action?: COMMENTARY ON... COCHRANE CORNER [Round the corner]
Glutamate receptor modulators, including ketamine, are possible candidates for new antidepressants with a novel mode of action. The pair of reviews discussed in this month’s Round the Corner considered their use in treating unipolar major depression and bipolar depression. Promising results were seen for ketamine, but further studies are needed, in particular to investigate whether the benefits are sustained or can be extended by repeated or adjunctive treatment, whether ketamine is effective in treatment resistance, whether other modes of administration are as effective as the intravenous route and the long-term adv...
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Smith, K., Attenburrow, M. J. Tags: Round the corner Source Type: research
Ketamine and other glutamate receptor modulators for depression in bipolar disorder in adults [Cochrane corner]
(Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: McCloud, T. L., Caddy, C., Jochim, J., Rendell, J. M., Diamond, P. R., Shuttleworth, C., Brett, D., Amit, B. H., McShane, R., Hamadi, L., Hawton, K., Cipriani, A. Tags: Cochrane corner Source Type: research
Ketamine and other glutamate receptor modulators for depression in adults [Cochrane corner]
(Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Caddy, C., Amit, B. H., McCloud, T. L., Rendell, J. M., Furukawa, T. A., McShane, R., Hawton, K., Cipriani, A. Tags: Cochrane corner Source Type: research
New from CPD Online [CPD Online]
(Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - June 30, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Tags: CPD Online Source Type: research
Will the journal club survive?: COMMENTARY ON... ARE JOURNAL CLUBS USEFUL IN TEACHING PSYCHIATRY? [Commentary]
We outline benefits and problems of introducing internet-based approaches (e.g. e-learning, social networking) into journal clubs. We also look at potential risks to the continuing existence of clubs posed by the changing health economy and the move in psychiatry from clinical medicine to community care. Overall, we are optimistic for the journal club’s survival. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - May 1, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: MacLaren, T., Warner, J. Tags: Commentary Source Type: research
Are journal clubs useful in teaching psychiatry? [Articles]
Journal clubs are a mandatory aspect of psychiatric training in the UK, yet are not always seen as a stimulating experience. Clarifying the aim of the club and tailoring it to the needs and wishes of the audience is an essential step. Teaching skills in critical appraisal is often seen as the main purpose of journal clubs. Depending on the audience, being able to formulate questions from clinical dilemmas, search the literature, and integrate research evidence, clinical expertise and the patient’s needs and wishes may be as important. Linking these tasks in the journal club with routine clinical practice increases th...
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - May 1, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Swift, G. Tags: Articles Source Type: research
Being a College tutor for psychiatry trainees [Refreshment]
College tutors for psychiatry trainees are National Health Service (NHS) consultants who have responsibility for organisation and delivery of postgraduate education and learning opportunities for the core trainees in NHS trusts. College tutors are responsible for monitoring the progress of trainees through the core training schemes. Tutors have various roles and responsibilities in teaching and training. Being a tutor can be a rewarding experience and any consultant interested in postgraduate teaching should consider becoming one. (Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment)
Source: Advances in Psychiatric Treatment - May 1, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Hosalli, P. Tags: Refreshment Source Type: research
