A survey of training experiences and attitudes of higher specialist trainees in child and adolescent psychiatry

Aims and MethodChanges in higher specialist training in the UK have led to a revision of training guidelines in child and adolescent psychiatry. This survey studies trainees' experiences and attitudes in the light of these changes. A questionnaire covering training attitudes and experiences was distributed to all higher specialist trainees in child and adolescent psychiatry via their programme directors.ResultsEighty-eight per cent of trainees responded. Although most training experiences are well provided, there are gaps in provision in specific areas, including research and teaching. Dissemination of information about aspects of training requires improvement and clearer feedback on training could be given.Clinical ImplicationsThe implications for training in child and adolescent psychiatry and higher specialist training in general are discussed.

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Service innovations: second opinions in child and adolescent psychiatry

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.27.1.22 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 22-24

Author(s):

Greg Richardson ◽

David Cottrell

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Best Practice ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Academic Unit ◽

Diagnosis And Management

AIMS AND METHODSTo devise a protocol, reflecting best practice, for obtaining second opinions in child and adolescent psychiatry through discussion with consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry within the Yorkshire region at their quarterly meetings.ResultsThe major pressure for second opinions falls upon the Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Mental Health and on the in-patient units. Other consultants who are considered to have specialist expertise in certain areas may also receive referrals for second opinions. Both consultants requesting and offering second opinions considered a protocol for obtaining them would be helpful to their practice.Clinical ImplicationsAn agreed protocol between consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry within a region ensures that young people with complex problems have access to second opinions on their diagnosis and management by consultants who can be recommended to referrers by other consultants. The network of consultants ensures such opinions are not requested excessively and that ‘rogue’ opinions without therapeutic follow-up are avoided.

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Clozapine prescribing in adolescent psychiatry: survey of prescribing practice in in-patient units

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.29.10.377 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 29 (10) ◽

pp. 377-380 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Giovanni Cirulli

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Best Practice ◽

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Effective Drug ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Treatment Resistant ◽

Practice Recommendations ◽

Prescribing Practice ◽

The Uk

Aims and MethodClozapine is an effective drug in treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but it seems to be prescribed for few patients under the age of 18 years. This study reports a survey of consultant psychiatrists working in adolescent units in the UK, looking at their use of clozapine and experience with it.ResultsOut of 83 clinicians, 59 responded (71%). More than 40% of respondents do not use clozapine, and those who do may not always be following best practice recommendations. Reasons for not using clozapine, beliefs about its effectiveness and problems encountered in its use are described.Clinical ImplicationsClozapine may not always be made available to young people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. There is a need for more education, guidance and debate on clozapine use in child and adolescent psychiatry.

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Talking together. Commentary on … Higher specialist training in child and adolescent psychiatry

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.30.1.23 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 23-24

Author(s):

Sally E. Bonnar

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Specialist Training

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Future child and adolescent psychiatrists: a further survey of senior registrar training

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.14.10.611 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 14 (10) ◽

pp. 611-615 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Christopher Bools ◽

David Cottrell

Keyword(s):

Advisory Committee ◽

Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Expected Shortfall ◽

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Senior Registrar ◽

Future Child ◽

The Uk ◽

New Recruits ◽

Registrar Training

Child and adolescent psychiatry is a growing speciality. Significant increases in workload, the reasons for which have been described elsewhere (Black, 1989), have led to an expansion in consultant posts across the UK. Recently the Joint Planning and Advisory Committee (JPAC) reviewed senior registrar numbers and recommended an increase in the establishment by 38 whole-time equivalents in England and Wales, a rise of 38%, to meet the expected shortfall. How existing senior registrars, as well as this large number of new recruits, are trained is clearly a matter of some importance.

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Mentoring scheme for child and adolescent psychiatry consultants in Scotland

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.bp.107.017160 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 45-47

Author(s):

Michael van Beinum ◽

Sandra Davies ◽

Myra David

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Formal Mentoring ◽

Child Psychiatrists

Aims and MethodTo describe the mentoring scheme for consultant child psychiatrists in Scotland and discuss findings of a qualitative questionnaire survey of all eligible consultants' use and satisfaction with the scheme.ResultsAll 21 respondents who had used the mentoring scheme thought it had been of great help. A third of respondents appointed since the start of the scheme had not used it. This could be because the consultants were not aware of the scheme, there were not enough mentors or mentoring was not included in consultants' job plans.Clinical ImplicationsFormal mentoring is strongly recommended for all newly appointed consultants. Written recognition within job plans for both mentoring and being mentored would support mentoring arrangements.

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Philip Graham

Child Psychology and Psychiatry Review ◽

10.1017/s1360641701002568 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 86-88

Author(s):

Antony Cox

Keyword(s):

Child Health ◽

Child Psychiatry ◽

Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

European Society ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Broad Perspective ◽

The Uk

When Philip Graham takes up the Chair of the Association next June, it will be his second term in an office he originally held in 1982. Although he would modestly deny it, he is not only one of the UK's leading child and adolescent psychiatrists, but also widely respected internationally. Outside this country his reputation is particularly strong in Europe where he was President of the European Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from 1987 to 1991. His appointment to the Foundation Chair of Child Psychiatry at the Institute of Child Health in 1975 marked the establishment of the second such chair in the UK. The esteem in which he was held there led to his appointment as Dean of the Institute from 1985 to 1990. On retirement in 1994 he was elected to the Chair of the National Children's Bureau, reflecting his broad perspective on the welfare of children.

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Copying letters to families: attitudes and experiences of child and adolescent psychiatrists

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.30.11.413 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 30 (11) ◽

pp. 413-415 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gillian Combe ◽

Clare Short ◽

Helen Stephens

Keyword(s):

Therapeutic Relationship ◽

Child Psychiatry ◽

Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Child And Adolescent ◽

Child And Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

National Guidelines ◽

The Family ◽

N 93 ◽

The Impact

Aims and MethodA national survey of consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry was conducted to explore their attitudes to copying correspondence to patients and their families and the impact of recent national guidelines on practice.ResultsOf the 290 respondents, 261 (90%) agreed in principle with copying letters to patients but only two-thirds (n=186) were routinely doing so. Nearly half (n=139, 48%) had changed their practice as a consequence of the guidelines. The majority (n=160, 55%) felt that the guidelines lacked clarity with regard to the complexities of child psychiatry and a third (n=93, 32%) had experienced difficulties when copying letters to patients.Clinical ImplicationsThis survey highlights some of the benefits and risks involved in child and adolescent psychiatry when letters are routinely shared with families. Increased openness and transparency can enhance the therapeutic relationship; however, given the complexities and sensitivities implicit in child psychiatry, there is a risk of jeopardising engagement and alienating the family.

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