Information giving challenges and support strategies at the time of a mental health diagnosis: qualitative views from Australian health professionals

2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 735-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyssa C. Milton ◽  
Barbara Mullan ◽  
Caroline Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Australian Health ◽  
Information Giving ◽  
Support Strategies ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Efficacy of an Intervention to Reduce Stigma Beliefs and Attitudes Among Primary Care and Mental Health Professionals: Two Cluster Randomized-Controlled Trials

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco José Eiroa-Orosa ◽  
María Lomascolo ◽  
Anaïs Tosas-Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Health Centres ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Although it may seem paradoxical, primary care and mental health professionals develop prejudices and discriminatory attitudes towards people with mental health problems in a very similar way to the rest of the population. The main objective of this project was to design, implement and evaluate two awareness interventions respectively tailored to reduce stigma and discrimination beliefs and attitudes towards persons with a mental health diagnosis among primary care (PC) and mental health (MH) professionals. These interventions were developed by Obertament, the Catalan alliance against stigma and discrimination in mental health. The TLC3 (Targeted, Local, Credible, Continuous Contact) methodology was adapted to the Catalan PC and MH professional contexts. Activists with lived experience of mental health diagnosis carried out awareness-raising interventions in PC and MH health centres. The efficacy of these interventions was evaluated using two prospective double-blind cluster-wait-list-randomized-controlled trial experimental designs. Stigmatizing beliefs and behaviours were measured with the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care Providers in primary care centres and with the Beliefs and Attitudes towards Mental Health Service users’ rights in mental health centres. Positive reductions in both PC and MH professionals’ stigmatising beliefs and attitudes were found in the 1-month follow-up, although a ‘rebound effect’ at the 3-month follow up was also detected. This emphasizes the importance of the continuity of the presence of anti-stigma activities and messages. Attrition rates where high, which can hamper the reliability of the results. Further follow-up studies should enquiry effects of long-term interventions aimed at reducing stigmatising beliefs and attitudes among primary care and mental health professionals.

scholarly journals An evaluation of communication barriers and facilitators at the time of a mental health diagnosis: a survey of health professional practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Milton ◽  
B. Mullan ◽  
C. MacCann ◽  
C. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Communication Practice ◽  
Barriers To Communication ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Aims.To examine health professionals’ views and practices relating to the specific barriers to communication that arise at the time of mental health diagnosis, and the strategies used to support individuals throughout this process.Methods.An online survey of the beliefs and practices of 131 mental health clinicians working in different clinical settings across Australia was conducted.Results.Exploratory factor analysis of the items relating to barriers to communication resulted in three latent factors (‘stigma, diagnosis and risk’; ‘service structure’; and ‘individual circumstances’ such as the person receiving the diagnosis being young, having a culturally and linguistically diverse background or being unwell at the time of conversation). Using linear regression it was found that variance in ‘stigma, diagnosis and risk’ was significantly explained by whether participating clinicians had medical training, their experience working with serious mental health problems, their confidence handling distress and attitude towards diagnosis. Variance in ‘individual circumstances’ was significantly explained by participating clinicians’ confidence handling distress. The most frequently used strategies to support diagnostic discussions centred on the health professionals’ communication skills, gauging the individual's perception of their circumstances, responding with empathy, following-up after discussion, addressing stigma concerns, using collaborative practice and setting up for the conversation.Conclusions.Three main areas for health professionals to reflect on, plan for and ultimately address when discussing news with the individual concerned emerged (‘stigma, diagnosis and risk’; ‘service structure’; and ‘individual circumstances’). Variations in practice indicate that practitioners should be cognisant of their own beliefs and background and how this impacts their communication practice.

The mental health of Australian medical practitioners during Covid-19

2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110108
Author(s):  
Michelle Anne Adams ◽  
Matthew Brazel ◽  
Richard Thomson ◽  
Hannah Lake
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Junior Doctor ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Psychological Distress Scale ◽  
Distress Scale ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Objectives: To ascertain whether doctors were experiencing higher rates of distress during Covid-19 and whether this was impacted by demographic factors. Our hypotheses were that being a junior doctor, having a previous mental health diagnosis and treating Covid-19 positive patients would predict higher rates of distress. Methods: Cross-sectional survey conducted via Survey Monkey. Voluntary participants were recruited from the mailing list of a national-based referral service for doctors to psychiatrists. Distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Demographic factors were analysed for predictive value of a higher rating on the K10. Areas of concern in relation to Covid-19 and preference for support services were measured on a Likert scale and compared to levels of distress. Results: The rate of very high distress was 15%. Being a junior doctor and having a previous mental health diagnosis were predictive factors of a higher K10 score. K10 was not affected by likelihood of contact with Covid-19-positive patients. Social isolation had a larger impact on mental health in the context of a previous psychiatric diagnosis. Face-to-face assessments were preferred. Conclusions: Rates of distress in doctors have been higher than baseline during Covid-19. Some groups have been particularly vulnerable.

scholarly journals Do the Guidelines for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS) Facilitate Mental Health Diagnosis?

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M. Gadomski ◽  
Melissa B. Scribani ◽  
Nicole Krupa ◽  
Paul L. Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Preventive Services ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Off-label antipsychotic use patterns among Texas Medicaid adults 2013–2016

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (14) ◽  
pp. 1045-1053
Author(s):  
Shuang Chen ◽  
Jamie C Barner ◽  
Eun Cho
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Mental Health Disorder ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Second Generation Antipsychotic ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Aim: To describe trends in off-label antipsychotic use among Texas Medicaid adults and examine whether demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with off-label use. Methods: Three diagnostic groups (i.e. no diagnosis, on label and off-label) were created based on mental health disorder diagnoses and related antipsychotic prescriptions. Results: During 2013–2016, the prevalence of off-label antipsychotic use decreased from 22.5% to 17.4% and the proportions of no mental health diagnosis remained stable (7.3–9.4%). Patients aged ≥25 years and second-generation antipsychotic users had significantly lower odds of receiving antipsychotics off-label or with no diagnosis. Conclusion: Compared with previous Medicaid database studies, the proportions of off-label antipsychotic use and antipsychotic use with no concurrent psychiatric diagnosis were notably lower.

scholarly journals Considerations in Designing Digital Peer Support for Mental Health: Interview Study Among Users of a Digital Support System (Buddy Project) (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nazanin Andalibi ◽  
Madison K Flood
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support System ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Health Diagnosis

BACKGROUND Peer support is an approach to cope with mental illness, and technology provides a way to facilitate peer support. However, there are barriers to seeking support in offline and technology-mediated contexts. OBJECTIVE This study aims to uncover potential ways to design digital mental health peer support systems and to outline a set of principles for future designers to consider as they embark on designing these systems. By learning how existing systems are used by people in daily life and by centering their experiences, we can better understand how to design mental health peer support technologies that foreground people’s needs. One existing digital peer support system is Buddy Project, the case study in this paper. METHODS This paper reports on an interview study with Buddy Project users (N=13). Data were analyzed using the constant comparative approach. RESULTS Individuals matched through Buddy Project developed supportive friendships with one another, leading them to become each other’s peer supporters in their respective journeys. It was not only the mental health peer support that was important to participants but also being able to connect over other parts of their lives and identities. The design of Buddy Project provided a sense of anonymity and separation from pre-existing ties, making it easier for participants to disclose struggles; moreover, the pairs appreciated being able to browse each other’s social media pages before connecting. Buddy Project has an explicit mission to prevent suicide and demonstrates this mission across its online platforms, which helps reduce the stigma around mental health within the peer support space. Pairs were matched based on shared interests and identities. This choice aided the pairs in developing meaningful, compatible, and supportive relationships with each other, where they felt seen and understood. However, the pairs were concerned that matching based on a shared mental health diagnosis may lead to sharing unhealthy coping mechanisms or comparing themselves and the severity of their experiences with their peers. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study shed light on desirable features of a digital mental health peer support system: matching peers based on interests and identities that they self-identify with; having an explicit mental health–related mission coupled with social media and other web-based presences to signal that discussing mental health is safe within the peer support ecosystem; and not matching peers based on a broad mental health diagnosis. However, if the diagnosis is important, this matching should account for illness severity and educate peers on how to provide support while avoiding suggesting unhelpful coping mechanisms; allowing for some degree of anonymity and control over how peers present themselves to each other; and providing relevant information and tools to potential peers to help them decide if they would like to embark on a relationship with their matched peer before connecting with them. CLINICALTRIAL

scholarly journals Neonatal outcomes among pregnant individuals with co-occurring opioid/methamphetamine use disorders and mental health diagnosis

2022 ◽  
Vol 226 (1) ◽  
pp. S361-S362
Author(s):  
Marcela Smid ◽  
Amanda A. Allshouse ◽  
Kristine Campbell ◽  
Michelle P. Debbink ◽  
Gerald Cochran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
Methamphetamine Use ◽  
Health Diagnosis

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) in children

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-105
Author(s):  
L. K. Karimova ◽  
V. O. Belash
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Functional Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Diagnosis ◽  
The Family ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Post Intensive Care Syndrome ◽  
Health Diagnosis

The survival rate of children who require intensive care for life-threatening diseases or injuries has recently increased significantly. In pediatric intensive care, a decrease in mortality is accompanied by an increase in morbidity. This trend has led to a shift in focus of attention from reducing mortality to optimizing outcomes in critically ill patients. A broader approach and focus on outcome in critically ill survivors has been greatly facilitated by the development of a concept that integrates post-intensive care (PIC) diseases into Post Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). The concept of PIC syndrome implies the occurrence of disorders in patients after IC in three main areas: mental health, cognitive functions and physical health, and also takes into account the state of the family of surviving patients, in particular, parents, who often have a deterioration in mental health. Diagnosis and treatment of this condition involves the work of a multidisciplinary team, in which it is desirable to include an osteopathic doctor in order to more effectively and timely diagnose and correct reversible functional disorders.

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