scholarly journals Digital frontiers in international psychiatric recruitment: the lessons of the Northwest School of Psychiatry careers event November 2020

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S143-S144
Author(s):  
Nosheen Kazmi ◽  
Catarina Rodrigues dos Santos ◽  
Emily Lewis ◽  
Sahana Olety

AimsA low level of psychiatric recruitment is a global issue[1]. The RCPsych & UK Mental Health Trusts jointly run School Events as part of a recruitment strategy. The North West has been running such events for the past years. After our first virtual event, we compare the quality, effectiveness and experience of a face-to-face (F2F) recruitment programme in 2018 with our first remote recruitment programme in 2020. In a world of fast paced technology, we reflect on what lies in the horizon for international psychiatric recruitment.MethodThe recruitment programme was organised by 4 psychiatric trainees affiliated to each mental health trust. A two-day remote programme on the Zoom platform comprising of 45-minute slots was created. Through their own experiences of inspirational speakers, trainees contacted speakers representing different specialities, teaching styles and philosophical outlooks.Pre and Post Programme questionnaires and certificates of attendance were shared with speakers and attendees. These were compared with Pre and Post Programme questionnaires from the F2F event in 2018.ResultWhen compared to the 2018 F2F programme, the 2020 virtual recruitment programme attracted a higher number and wider variety of applicants, in gender (62% female/38%male), nationality (UK 79%/Non-UK 22%), as well as wider distribution in age, UK deanery and training position. Despite the elimination of cost, the quality of teaching was rated higher than F2F due to the availability of high quality speakers (100% would recommend to a friend; 72% rated excellent). Whilst the programme was effective in changing minds, this did not exceed F2F recruitment rates. F2F recruitment feedback focussed on inclusion of sub-specialities, whereas virtual programme feedback focussed on ways to enhance interaction. Feedback focussed on technological applications such as interactive quizzes, breakout rooms, play-acting, and having the benefit of clinical vignettes or speakers’ personal stories to bring talks to life.ConclusionThe use of remote technology transcended geographical and demographic frontiers. A variety of high-quality speakers, directly appealing to an international cohort were sourced, at no monetary cost. In future, the budget will be used in interactive applications, and time-limited session recordings. As the participants hungered for personal connections, we recommend a blended programme, with links to taster sessions, retaining the advantages of both strategies.

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Hunter ◽  
Danitza Jadresic ◽  
Anne Blaine ◽  
Louise Clancy ◽  
Noelle Leyshon ◽  
...  

Aims and MethodThe aim of the study was to determine whether diagnostic case-mix influenced the distribution of clinical activity within the community mental health team (CMHT). Information concerning every patient involved with the CMHT and every episode of clinical activity was collected over a 2-week period.ResultsData were obtained concerning 417 patients and 1744 corresponding episodes of clinical activity. Diagnostic case-mix significantly differed between the professions. The duration of episodes of clinical activity varied significantly according to the type of patients involved and whether or not direct face to face contact occurred.Clinical ImplicationsDiagnostic case-mix, in addition to absolute numbers, should be considered when estimating the actual work generated by the different professions' case-loads. Patients with psychosis may place an increased time burden upon CMHT members.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 330-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trude Klevan ◽  
Bengt Karlsson ◽  
Lydia Turner ◽  
Nigel Short ◽  
Alec Grant

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how sharing stories of being a mental health professional and academic, based more broadly on serendipity and searching in life, can serve as means for bridging and developing cross-cultural understandings and collaborative work. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a relational autoethnography based on face-to-face and written conversational dialogue between five mental health academics from the UK and Norway. Findings The very practice of writing this paper displays and serves the purpose of bridging people, cultures and understandings, at several levels, in the facilitation of new research and writing projects. Troubling traditional boundaries between “us” and “them, and the “knower” and the “known,” the writing is theoretically underpinned by Friendship as Method, situated in a New Materialist context. Originality/value Through its conversational descriptions and explorations the paper shows how doing relational autoethnography can be purposeful in developing cross-cultural understandings and work at both professional and personal levels. It also demonstrates how autoethnography as relational practice can be useful in the sharing of this methodology between people who are more and less familiar with it.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 205630512094818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ysabel Gerrard

At the time of writing (mid-May 2020), mental health charities around the world have experienced an unprecedented surge in demand. At the same time, record-high numbers of people are turning to social media to maintain personal connections due to restrictions on physical movement. But organizations like the mental health charity Mind and even the UK Government have expressed concerns about the possible strain on mental health that may come from spending more time online during COVID-19. These concerns are unsurprising, as debates about the link between heavy social media use and mental illness raged long before the pandemic. But our newly heightened reliance on platforms to replace face-to-face communication has created even more pressure for social media companies to heighten their safety measures and protect their most vulnerable users. To develop and enact these changes, social media companies are reliant on their content moderation workforces, but the COVID-19 pandemic has presented them with two related conundrums: (1) recent changes to content moderation workforces means platforms are likely to be less safe than they were before the pandemic and (2) some of the policies designed to make social media platforms safer for people’s mental health are no longer possible to enforce. This Social Media + Society: 2K essay will address these two challenges in depth.


Author(s):  
Patience Mugah Nji ◽  
Fon Dorothy Engwali

Aims: This article seeks to evaluate the determinants or factors that contribute to the success of Farmer Organizations and their sustainability. Study Design: The research method was based on field surveys. Duration of Study:  The study was carried out between August 2018 and October 2019. Methodology: Sample: Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and 299 respondents (255 Farmer organisations members, and 44 community members) were selected using the multi-stage cluster and purposive sampling techniques. Data from the study was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Results revealed that the main problems witnessed by Farmer Organisations which slow down their growth include capital accumulation (86.4%), unavailability of loan (79.5%), and lack of skilled personnel (65.9%) and high illiteracy level of members (43.2%). While mismanagement of group funds by leaders (13.6%), government interference (29.5%), was of low impact. Factors that contribute to the success and sustainability of farmer organisation among others are good group leadership skills (90.2%) members, meeting the needs of the members (84.3%), assist in community development (58.8%) other factors include origin of group, assistance, communication and members involvement in decision making, membership participation, guiding principles and regulations, type of activity and profitability. Conclusion: For farmer organizations to be successful and sustainable  government agencies and NGOs in the sector should help  the farmer organizations by  providing financial assistance, farm inputs and seeds, provide post harvest infrastructures, regular extension services and the Farmer organizations should be market and advocacy oriented.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Shaw ◽  
Sarah Robertson ◽  
Nadia Ranceva

Abstract Background: The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic on the 11th March 2020. As a result, the UK Government imposed severe restrictions on working and social contact as part of “lockdown.” Whilst the full extent of the pandemic’s impact on eating disorder patients is unknown, the literature suggests that patients with pre-existing mental illness may be more vulnerable to the mental health impacts. In addition, the restrictions greatly reduced the access to mental health services and presented new challenges to service delivery. A service evaluation was carried out to explore how the COVID-19 global pandemic changed service provision in a young person’s eating disorder service and how this affected patients, family and staff experiences. Methods: Quantitative data was collected in an online survey and qualitative data was collected in two formats: open ended answers as part of the online survey and open-ended focus groups, structured using narrative enquiry. The 43 participants consisted of 12 patients, 19 parents/carers, and 12 staff members. Patients were under the age of 18 and had a diagnosis of an eating disorder. Results: COVID-19 and lockdown increased the pressure on the service and changed service provision significantly. This has impacted the relational experiences for patients and their carers and staff have been faced with new challenges. Patients, parents/carers and staff all preferred face-to-face appointments over virtual options. There was no difference in service satisfaction before and during COVID-19. Conclusions: It is possible to provide a high-quality eating disorder service in lockdown restrictions. Providing face-to-face appointments at the beginning of treatment and including families in the planning should be prioritised. Staff support is crucial to be able to continue delivering high quality services. The key themes are identified, and clinical recommendations are made to guide service delivery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Alba Vázquez-López ◽  
Manuel Marey-Perez

With the objective of assessing the farmers’ situation regarding the use of the ICT and their relations with the electronic government, a case study consisting in the realization of 34 face-to-face surveys was conducted between February and March 2020 in dairy farms in the region of Galicia (Spain). The sample was selected according to one of the most important online journals in the farming sector at a national level. From the census, we chose those farms considered most representative taking into account the main criteria: the level of PAC (Common Agrarian Politics) subsidies and milk production (litres/cow and year). The results show that the majority of the farmers used the internet, but on many an occasion, they were discontented in relation to the poor connection quality in their farms. In regard to the use of the electronic government for procedures related to their farms, many of them were able to perform them through the government website; however, there were procedures which the users defined as “complex” and which had to be outsourced to authorised entities. The results also show that the farmers do want to employ the e-government, mainly because of the time and cost saving; however, the current web pages do not meet the users’ expectations. Finally, this situation, applied to a region placed among the 10 most productive regions of milk, is comparable to what happens in other regions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 851-860
Author(s):  
S. A. Ivanov ◽  
G. A. Kostin

The presented study addresses the problems of accessibility of high-quality services provided by the housing and utilities system for the population from the perspective of achieving the strategic goals of creating a comfortable and safe environment, including those formulated as national objectives by the President of the Russian Federation.Aim. The study aims to determine trends in the funding of the housing and utilities system from the consolidated budget of Russian regions in comparison with the dynamics of paid services in the field of housing and utilities, and to identify approaches to solving the problems of accessibility of highquality services and reducing regional disparities in the provision of these services.Tasks. Through the example of the North-West macro-region, the authors examine the goals, objectives, and priorities in the housing and utilities sector reflected in regional socio-economic development strategies; identify the expenditure pattern of the consolidated budget of the North-West macro-region; determine the dynamics of expenses on housing and utilities from the consolidated budget of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation located within the North-West macro-region and paid services in this field; determine the amount and dynamics of unit expenses on housing and utilities from the regional consolidated budget and compare it with household expenditure; draw a conclusion regarding the directions for improving the accessibility of high-quality services provided by the housing and utilities system for the population.Methods. Based on the statistical analysis of the 2012–2018 dynamics of the structure and absolute amount of expenditure from the consolidated budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation located within the North-West macro-region and the dynamics of household expenditure on the paid services of the housing and utilities system, this study identifies the major trends and inter-regional imbalances in the funding of the housing and utilities system as a factor of realization of national priorities in ensuring a comfortable and safe environment.Results. The study shows that a number of problems persist in the regional housing and utilities systems despite the efforts made by the government, regional and municipal authorities. The constituent entities of the Russian Federation integrate guidelines for the development of this system in their socio-economic development strategies and prioritize increasing the accessibility and quality of housing and utilities services, which is reflected in regional socio-economic development strategies. One of the reasons for the persisting problems in regional housing and utilities systems and low accessibility of services for the population is the lack of a unified approach to the budgetary funding of this system. Different regions, particularly in the Russian North-West, exhibit multidirectional trends in the funding of the housing and utilities system and its support from the consolidated budget of the region. This generates and amplifies the differences between regions in the amount of budgetary funding of this system, creating unequal conditions for the population of the respective regions in terms of access to high-quality housing and utilities services. Thus, it becomes obvious that a more grounded regional budget policy is required — one that would make allowance for the existing imbalances in the funding of such services.Conclusions. To solve the identified problems, it is advisable to develop a more grounded regional budget policy that would make allowance for the existing imbalances in the funding of housing and utilities services. Mechanisms for overcoming the existing inequality of access to housing and utilities services for the population should be established not only during the development and adjustment of regional socio-economic development strategies, but also during the formation of strategy at the level of a federal district.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document