scholarly journals Joint assessment out of hours: assessing the benefits for patients and junior doctors

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 272-275
Author(s):  
Laura Boyd ◽  
Colin Crawford ◽  
Eugene Wong

Aims and methodWe examined the impact of implementing a new Acute Mental Health Emergency Assessment Protocol (AMHEAP) on joint psychiatric assessments out of hours within Forth Valley, Scotland, over the course of 4 calendar months. The protocol states that assessments should be carried out by a junior doctor and a registered, qualified mental health nurse. The impact measures were taken as admission rates and experience of the doctor in training.ResultsIn the 4 months that were examined (1 June–30 September 2011), 79.5% of out-of-hours emergency assessments were performed jointly. Admission rates were significantly decreased (P<0.001) compared with a similar period in 2008, before the AMHEAP protocol was developed. Most junior doctors valued the experience of joint assessment.Clinical implicationsJoint assessment can enhance patient experience, reduce hospital admission, and provide a learning opportunity for junior doctors in emergency psychiatric assessments. However, it represents a move away from the doctor as sole decision maker.

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 212-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Griffin ◽  
Jonathan I. Bisson

Aims and MethodThis study considered patients admitted to hospital following deliberate self-poisoning. The characteristics of the patients and the outcomes of assessments by trainee psychiatrists and a mental health nurse were compared.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the outcome of 68 assessments performed by a trainee psychiatrist and 77 by a mental health nurse. The nurse assessment service was well-received by the poisons unit, a medical ward specialising in overdose treatment, and trainee psychiatrists.Clinical ImplicationsPsychosocial assessments following self-poisoning can be provided by appropriately trained and supervised mental health nurses. The introduction of a nurse-led service should enhance relationships with the local poisons unit and reduce the workload of junior doctors without compromising their training needs.


Author(s):  
Panagiotis Zis ◽  
Artemios Artemiadis ◽  
Panagiotis Bargiotas ◽  
Antonios Nteveros ◽  
Georgios M. Hadjigeorgiou

Objectives: The aim of this ecological study was to investigate what the impact of digital learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic was on the burnout and overall mental health (MH) of medical students. Background: During the unprecedented era of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of countries worldwide adopted very strong measures. Universities closed their doors, and education continued through digital learning lectures. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to all 189 eligible candidates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health was assessed via the MH domain of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and burnout with the Maslach Burnout Inventory—Student Survey (MBI-SS). Results: The overall response rate was 81.5%. The overall burnout prevalence did not differ significantly between the two periods (pre-COVID-19 18.1% vs. COVID-19 18.2%). However, the burnout prevalence dropped significantly in year 4 (pre-COVID-19 40.7% vs. COVID-19 16.7%, p = 0.011), whereas it increased significantly in year 6 (pre-COVID-19 27.6% vs. COVID-19 50%, p = 0.01). When looking at each MBI-SS dimension separately, we found that emotional exhaustion decreased significantly in year 4 but increased in year 6, and cynicism increased in all years. The overall MH deteriorated significantly between the two periods (pre-COVID-19 58.8 ± 21.6 vs. COVID-19 48.3 ± 23, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Digital learning in medical studies carries significant risks. Not only does the MH deteriorate, but cynicism levels also increase. Emotional exhaustion was found to increase particularly in final year students, who struggle with the lack of clinical experience just before they start working as qualified junior doctors.


2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 50-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart Linke ◽  
Jenny Wojciak ◽  
Samantha Day

Aims and MethodThe study investigated the personal impact of patient suicides on the members of community mental health teams and the sources of support utilised for coping with adverse effects.ResultsForty-four questionnaires were returned. Eighty-six per cent of staff reported having had at least one patient suicide, with an average of 4.2 suicides. The majority of staff reported that patient suicides had significant adverse effects on their personal and professional lives. Some of the effects were long-lasting (greater than 1 month). Staff found that peer support, reviews, dedicated staff meetings and support from senior colleagues were of most value.Clinical ImplicationsStaff require skilled and dedicated support following a patient suicide in order to minimise its detrimental effects on personal, professional and team functioning.


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