scholarly journals Current issues in Scandinavian acute psychiatric wards

2006 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Torleif Ruud ◽  
Nils Lindefors ◽  
Anne Lindhardt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Psychiatric Units ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Wards ◽  
Field Information ◽  
The Right

AbstractThe aim of the paper is to provide an overview of some of the most important issues faced by acute inpatient facilities in three Scandinavian countries, including reflections and critical remarks for discussion in this field. Information was drawn from scientific articles and official reports published in recent years, as well as the authors' own knowledge of acute facilities in their home countries. Acute inpatient facilities, including General Hospital Psychiatric Units (GHPUs), in all Scandinavian countries have several issues and problems in common, which include the organisation and capacity of acute services, the assessment of dangerousness and suicidality, the use of coercion and efforts to reduce coercion, the need to define and improve the quality of acute services, and the necessity to improve collaboration and continuity between acute services and other services. Although the emphasis some of these issues receive can vary across the three countries, Scandinavian mental health professionals (and policy makers) have begun to systematically share their experiences in developing a growing spirit of collaboration. Despite the role of welfare state and the deployment of substantial resources in Scandinavian countries, mental health practitioners are struggling to implement best practices in acute wards, to develop differentiated forms of acute services, and to reach the right balance and coordination between acute services and other services.

Documentation and Record Keeping Are Burdens to Be Completed as Quickly as Possible

2019 ◽  
pp. 117-122
Author(s):  
Jeffrey E. Barnett ◽  
Jeffrey Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Legal Obligations ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Care Information ◽  
Clinical Records

Documentation and record keeping are not known as the most enjoyable aspects of being a mental health clinician. Yet, as this chapter explains, they play a vital and important role in meeting one’s ethical and legal obligations. Further, it is explained how timely, thorough, effective documentation can help mental health practitioners to fulfill their obligation to provide the highest possible quality of care. Information is also provided on how clinical records may be needed in the future, and the risks associated with minimal or absent documentation. The role of documentation as a risk management strategy, to meet legal requirements, and to assist in providing high-quality care are each addressed. Specific guidance is provided on the needed components of effective documentation.

Empirically Validated Treatments: Health Psychology Interventions

1997 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-8
Author(s):  
Jack E. James
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Behaviour Pattern ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Psychological Practice ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Health Practitioners

Whereas King's (1977) focus was clinical psychology, the present commentary considers empirical validation of psychological practice in health settings. Comparisons are made with the fact that most diagnostic and therapeutic medical practices in use have yet to be empirically validated. At the population level, modern medicine does not appear to have had a large impact on any of the major causes of premature death, past or present. Conversely, there is strong evidence that all current major causes of death are closely related to behaviour pattern. However, there are formidable obstacles to the uptake and future development of behavioural interventions in health settings. Issues subsumed under the rubric of quality of care are particularly important, including appropriateness (treatment should not be applied when it is not needed — avoidance of overservicing), and necessity (treatment should be available to persons in need — avoidance of underservicing). The general public, health practitioners, and health policy makers are relatively uninformed about relevant psychological practices and about the central role of psychological processes in all aspects of human health.

Fitness and Competency Issues in Canadian Criminal Courts: Elucidating the Standards for Mental Health Professionals

1994 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 198-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen E. Whittemore ◽  
James R.P. Ogloff
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Legal Issue ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Criminal Courts ◽  
Criminal Proceedings ◽  
Legal Proceedings ◽  
Health Practitioners

The issue of competency arises at various stages of criminal proceedings in an effort to protect those individuals who are unable to participate in the legal process. The competency question is a legal issue ultimately decided by a judge. However, mental health professionals are often called upon to provide insight into an individual's level of competence. To date, the standards by which an individual is found competent have remained far from clear. This creates a problem for clinicians who are requested to make competency evaluations. This article addresses the competency issues as they arise at various stages of legal proceedings in order to determine the standards that are applied by the courts. Furthermore, given the importance placed on mental health evaluations of competency, the role of mental health practitioners will be addressed as it pertains to the competency question at each juncture in the criminal justice system.

It Is Best to Provide Minimal Information When a Referral Source Requests Information About a Client

2019 ◽  
pp. 123-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey E. Barnett ◽  
Jeffrey Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Treatment Providers ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Client Expectations ◽  
Diversity Issues ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Minimal Information

It is a common occurrence for mental health practitioners to receive requests for information about clients from their referral sources. Concerns about safeguarding each client’s confidentiality may result in a misunderstanding about how to respond to these requests. This chapter addresses mental health professionals’ ethical, legal, and clinical obligations to both their clients and referral sources. How to address these obligations so that clients’ best interests are served is explained. This includes discussing the role of the informed consent process with clients, educating referral sources on confidentiality obligations, and explaining how to work collaboratively with other treatment providers, so that client treatment is coordinated. Client expectations, diversity issues, striking a balance between competing needs, and applying a thoughtful decision-making process to determine which information to share and how to best share it are all addressed.

scholarly journals Addressing Mental Health Needs of Refugees

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 287-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Rousseau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Host Countries ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Scarce Resources ◽  
Refugee Mental Health

Throughout history, refugees have alternatively been seen as entitled victims of adversity or as threats or abusers of host countries scarce resources. Within the present globalized context, ambivalent public perceptions of refugees are shattering the protective nature of the post migratory environment in refugee receiving countries. This raises new challenges for refugees’ mental health and calls for systemic responses to address both pre-migratory trauma and losses and post migratory adversities. Recent evidence on the effectiveness of mental health treatment for refugees confirms the utility of trauma-focused psychotherapy and the limits of psychopharmacology for stress related disorders in this group. Training of mental health professionals may improve the quality of care for refugees by deconstructing prevalent prejudices about them and promoting empathic understanding. Mental health professionals may also advocate by providing information about social determinants refugee mental health to policy makers and promoting psychosocial interventions and protective social policies.

The future role of the psychiatrist in Europe – a UEMS perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
M. Hermans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Future Role ◽  
Personal Opinion ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Many

SummaryThe author presents his personal opinion inviting to discussion on the possible future role of psychiatrists. His view is based upon the many contacts with psychiatrists all over Europe, academicians and everyday professionals, as well as the familiarity with the literature. The list of papers referred to is based upon (1) the general interest concerning the subject when representing ideas also worded elsewhere, (2) the accessibility to psychiatrists and mental health professionals in Germany, (3) being costless downloadable for non-subscribers and (4) for some geographic aspects (e.g. Belgium, Spain, Sweden) and the latest scientific issues, addressing some authors directly.

scholarly journals Understanding factors relevant to poor sleep and coping methods in people with schizophrenia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Ching Chang ◽  
Megan C. Chang ◽  
Yun-Jou Chang ◽  
Ming-De Chen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sleep Quality ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Coping Methods

Abstract Background Sleep disruption is pervasive in people with schizophrenia, but few studies have explored their sleep experiences. This study aims to identify factors relevant to sleep problems and explore coping methods used by community-dwelling people with schizophrenia. Methods Eighteen participants with schizophrenia were recruited from three mental health centers in Taiwan. They completed a semi-structured interview and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) assessment. The Person-Environment-Occupation model offered a framework to assess factors related to sleep. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data analysis. Results Factors related to sleep were classified under person, environment, and occupation domains. The person domain included three subthemes: psychiatric symptoms, unpleasant emotions, and frustration about sleep. The environment domain included three subthemes: sensory intrusions from the environment, quality of bedding, and roommates. The occupation domain included sleep interruption and sleep preparation. There were notable discrepancies in sleep quality between the participants’ narratives and their PSQI global scores. Regarding coping methods for poor sleep, sleep medication was the primary strategy while some participants also used other strategies, such as modifying the environment, adjusting routines, or engaging in activities that improve sleep quality. Conclusions Psychiatric symptoms and nightmares were identified as unique sleep disruptions in people with schizophrenia, and poor economic status was also found to impact their sleep. The sleep quality of people with schizophrenia tends to be poor, as identified by the PSQI, even though they may have positive perceptions of their sleep quality. Our participants appeared to prefer to take hypnotics to address their sleep problems, which may be due to limited knowledge about alternatives. Mental health professionals are encouraged to receive training in the application of non-pharmacological approaches to support their clients’ issues related to sleep.

scholarly journals A nudge in the right direction: the role of food choice architecture in changing populations' diets

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
H. Ensaff
Keyword(s):  
Food Choice ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Choice Architecture ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
The Right ◽  
Care Costs

Populations' diets typically fall short of recommendations. The implication of this on ill health and quality of life is well established, as are the subsequent health care costs. An area of growing interest within public health nutrition is food choice architecture; how a food choice is framed and its influence on subsequent food selection. In particular, there is an appeal to manipulating the choice architecture in order to nudge individuals' food choice. This review outlines the current understanding of food choice architecture, theoretical background to nudging and the evidence on the effectiveness of nudge strategies, as well as their design and implementation. Interventions emphasising the role of nudge strategies have investigated changes to the accessibility, availability and presentation of food and the use of prompts. Empirical studies have been conducted in laboratories, online and in real-world food settings, and with different populations. Evidence on the effectiveness of nudge strategies in shifting food choice is encouraging. Underpinning mechanisms, not yet fully explicated, are proposed to relate to salience, social norms and the principle of least effort. Emerging evidence points to areas for development including the effectiveness of choice architecture interventions with different and diverse populations, and the combined effect of multiple nudges. This, alongside further examination of theoretical mechanisms and guidance to engage and inspire across the breadth of food provision, is critical. In this way, the potential of choice architecture to effect meaningful change in populations' diets will be realised.

Quality of service and commitment to tobacco dependence treatment for individuals living with mental disorders in France: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
pp. 002076402110429
Author(s):  
João M Castaldelli-Maia ◽  
Priscila D Gonçalves ◽  
Danielle R Lima ◽  
Helena F Moura ◽  
Gisèle Apter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Quality Of Service ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Tobacco Dependence ◽  
Treatment Quality ◽  
Tobacco Treatment

Background: There are remarkably high smoking rates in patients living with mental disorders (PLWMD), and the absence of a specific treatment policy for smoking cessation for these patients worldwide. The present study aimed to (i) investigate the quality of service and commitment to tobacco dependence treatment, and (ii) produce high-quality French versions of the Index of Tobacco Treatment Quality (ITTQ) and Tobacco Treatment Commitment Scale (TTCS). Methods: ITTQ and TTCS were used to assess French mental health professionals ( n = 80). Both scales were translated from their original language following standard procedures (i.e. forward translation). Descriptive analysis for total score, each factor and item were calculated for the entire sample, followed by subgroup analysis by gender, and role of the practitioner. Results: Nurses presented higher levels of both treatment commitment and treatment quality in their mental health care units, compared to psychiatrists, and residents. Overall, counseling offering was low and there was a perception that it is unfair to take tobacco away from PLWMD. In the other hand, there were high levels of smoking assessment and perceptions that nicotine dependence should be included in drug treatment programs. Conclusions: There is a gap in tobacco treatment implementation for French PLWMD. The present pilot study alerts about the problem, and should stimulate larger studies validating such measures for wide use with French-speaking mental health professionals. French nurses presented higher levels of both treatment commitment and quality, and could be in a leadership position for such implementation. Encouraging the implementation of tobacco counseling within conventional mental health treatment is critical to improve cessation rates among this population. There is a potential for the sustainability of tobacco treatment interventions since the levels of commitment observed here were higher than in previous studies conducted abroad.

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