The core trainee ‘residential’: an opportunity for trainees to feel connected in a world of virtual teaching

MRCPsych courses play a key role in helping trainees prepare for Membership examinations and specialist training. Historically, their social aspect, although arguably as important, has perhaps not been sufficiently prioritised. During a pandemic, when teaching is largely delivered virtually, the social benefit of meeting peers is highlighted by its absence. Given the future likelihood of increased virtual teaching, it is of paramount importance to explore ways of enhancing the sociability of teaching courses. In addition to the social needs of trainees, there is a recognised need to increase and integrate the neuroscience component of the curriculum to better meet the needs of modern day mental health research, treatment and practice. This article describes how the Birmingham MRCPsych course successfully addressed both these issues with a 2-day ‘residential’ in October 2019, and considers whether future residentials could be delivered virtually.

Download Full-text

Core components and strategies for suicide and risk management protocols in mental health research: a scoping review

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-020-03005-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Katye Stevens ◽

Vivetha Thambinathan ◽

Elisa Hollenberg ◽

Fiona Inglis ◽

Andrew Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Risk Management ◽

Content Analysis ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Health Research ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Mental Health Research ◽

Educational Resources ◽

The Core ◽

Core Components

Abstract Background Suicide and risk management protocols in mental health research aim to ensure patient safety, provide vital information on how to assess suicidal ideation, manage risk, and respond to unexpected and expected situations. However, there is a lack of literature that identifies specific components and strategies to include in suicide and risk management protocols (SRMPs) for mental health research. The goal of this scoping review was to review academic and grey literature to determine core components and associated strategies, which can be used to inform SRMPs in mental health research. Methods and analysis The methodological framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley was used for this scoping review. The search strategy, conducted by a medical librarian, was multidisciplinary and included seven databases. Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility criteria in each document and used a standardized charting form to extract relevant data. The extracted data were then examined using qualitative content analysis. Specifically, summative content analysis was used to identify the core components and strategies used in SRMPs. The data synthesis process was iterative. Results This review included 36 documents, specifically 22 peer-reviewed articles and 14 documents from the grey literature. Five core components of SRMPs emerged from the reviewed literature including: training; educational resources for research staff; educational resources for research participants; risk assessment and management strategies; and clinical and research oversight. Potentials strategies for risk mitigation within each of the core components are outlined. Conclusions The five core components and associated strategies for inclusion in SRMPs will assist mental health researchers in conducting research safely and rigorously. Findings can inform the development of SRMPs and how to tailor them across various research contexts.

Download Full-text

Mental health, big data and research ethics: Parity of esteem in mental health research from a UK perspective

Clinical Ethics ◽

10.1177/1477750919876243 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 165-172

Author(s):

Julie Morton ◽

Michelle O’Reilly

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Big Data ◽

Health Research ◽

Mental Health Research ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Data Sets ◽

Ethical Considerations ◽

Social Construct ◽

The Social ◽

Perceived Constraints

Central to ethical debates in contemporary mental health research are the rhetoric of parity of esteem, challenges underpinned by the social construct of vulnerability and the tendency to homogenise the population diagnosed with mental health conditions. Such ethical dimensions are further complicated by the contemporary endeavour to work with ‘big data’ which has led to ambitious claims for discovery and knowledge. Research in mental health is challenging due to the perceived constraints of ethical principles such as the protection of autonomy, consent, risk and harms. This article discusses how ethical considerations need to be reconceptualised when using big data sets. The argument is foregrounded with an appraisal of the prevailing political discourse of parity of esteem demonstrating that ongoing disparities in services and research should also be considered when inquiry uses big data.

Download Full-text