scholarly journals Exploring the Baseline Knowledge and Experience of Healthcare Professionals in the United Kingdom on Novel Psychoactive Substances

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Camille Ramos ◽  
Amira Guirguis ◽  
Nigel Smeeton ◽  
Hadar Zaman ◽  
Anna-Marie Felice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Mental Health Nurses ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Continued Education ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
Baseline Knowledge

Objective: This survey aimed to explore knowledge and experience on novel psychoactive substances (NPS) of healthcare professionals (HCPs). The study also aimed to assess how HCPs would like to improve their knowledge of NPS. Methods: Seventy paper questionnaires were disseminated in 2017 within continuing education events to pharmacists, nurses and general practitioners (GPs). Additionally, 127 online surveys were completed using the Qualtrics platform by other HCPs and mental health nurses in six United Kingdom (UK) independent mental health hospitals long-stay in-patient rehabilitation services. Two educational sessions involving pharmacists and GPs were also held in late 2017 and mid-2018. Knowledge of NPS by HCPs was evaluated prior to the start of the educational events. Evaluation forms were handed out post-sessions to garner feedback, especially on areas for improvement for future sessions. Statistical analysis of data was undertaken using SPSS (V.25). Results: Most HCPs reported only ‘basic’ to ‘intermediate’ NPS knowledge. Substance misuse service staff felt more informed, were more often consulted and had greater confidence regarding NPS compared to hospital and primary care professionals. A negative association was found between the age of the HCP and knowledge of NPS. Most participants expressed a need for regular training and updates as insufficient NPS-related information is currently received. Conclusions: An improvement within the self-reported knowledge of HCPs on NPS is evident in comparison to previous studies. Continued education of HCPs on NPS is fundamental for the provision of improved harm reduction services, which can enhance overall care for NPS service users.

scholarly journals Mapping novel psychoactive substances policy in the EU: The case of Portugal, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, the United Kingdom and Sweden

PLoS ONE ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. e0218011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Neicun ◽  
Marthe Steenhuizen ◽  
Robin van Kessel ◽  
Justin C. Yang ◽  
Attilio Negri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Eu

Mental & Neurological Health 2005: Psychiatrists' changing relationship with mental health nurses

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2-2
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Mental Health Nurses ◽  
The United Kingdom

Brimblecombe NR. The changing relationship between mental health nurses and psychiatrists in the United Kingdom. Journal Advanced Nursing 2005; 49(4): 344–353.

scholarly journals Switching antipsychotics to support the physical health of people with severe mental illness: a qualitative study of healthcare professionals’ perspectives

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e042497
Author(s):  
Annabel Nash ◽  
Tom Kingstone ◽  
Saeed Farooq ◽  
Jessica Tunmore ◽  
Carolyn A Chew-Graham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Nurses

ObjectivesThe side effects of antipsychotic medications (APs) can increase the risk of developing physical health conditions. Some APs pose a higher risk than others. Evidence suggests switching to lower risk APs can support physical health outcomes. We sought to explore the views of healthcare professionals about switching antipsychotics to support physical health in people with severe mental illness (SMI).DesignA qualitative study with semi-structured interviews conducted with general practitioners (GPs), psychiatrists and mental health nurses. The main focus was to explore participants’ views on the physical health of people with SMI, the impact of APs and decision-making about switching medication to support physical health. Data were analysed thematically using principles of constant comparison.SettingsParticipants recruited through primary care and one mental health trust in the West Midlands.ParticipantsInterviews were conducted with 9 GPs, 10 psychiatrists and 4 mental health nurses.ResultsAwareness and knowledge of AP side-effects and risk profiles varied considerably between primary and secondary care clinicians. GPs reported limited awareness, while psychiatrists and nurses demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of AP risk profiles and side-effects. Mental health and control of symptoms were prioritised. Switching to promote physical health was considered as a reactive intervention, once side-effects or complications developed. There were a range of views over where responsibility lay for monitoring physical health and consideration of switching. Collaboration between primary and secondary care was identified as a way to address this.ConclusionsThis study presents multidisciplinary perspectives on awareness, decision making, perceived responsibility and barriers to switching APs to support physical health. Collaborative approaches that involve liaison between primary and secondary care, but tailored to the individual patient, may support switching, and present an opportunity to intervene to address the physical health inequalities experienced by individuals with SMI.

scholarly journals Fear of COVID-19 and Depression: A Comparative Study Among the General Population and Healthcare Professionals During COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najmuj Sakib ◽  
Tahmina Akter ◽  
Fatematuz Zohra ◽  
A. K. M. Israfil Bhuiyan ◽  
Mohammed A. Mamun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Population ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
High Level

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic affects individuals’ mental health that can result in fear of getting COVID-19 infection and depression. As there is no prior study available, we evaluated these mental health outcomes and associated factors among the general population and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Bangladesh. This nationwide cross-sectional study comprised 3388 individuals including 834 HCPs. The measures included socio-demographics, healthcare, and patient-care related information, the Bangla Patient Health Questionnaire, and the Bangla Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors. Just over one-quarter of the participants were depressed, and was significantly associated with COVID-19 fear. Regression analyses showed that, both in general population and HCPs, depression and fear of COVID-19 were strongly predicted by being female; however, depression was inversely associated with being married. Particularly, among the HCPs, being restless while examining a patient with flu-like symptoms and while examining a patient returning from abroad was found to be significant predictor for both depression and fear of COVID-19. HCPs who were using single protective equipment for a week had greater depression and those who felt insecure due to the pandemic had a high level of COVID-19 fear. The findings identified major psychological impacts among the participants, suggesting the urgent need to promote mental wellbeing in both general population and medical professionals.

scholarly journals Novel psychoactive substances: An investigation of temporal trends in social media and electronic health records

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kolliakou ◽  
M. Ball ◽  
L. Derczynski ◽  
D. Chandran ◽  
G. Gkotsis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Electronic Health Records ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Clinical Record ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Health Records ◽  
Electronic Health

AbstractBackgroundPublic health monitoring is commonly undertaken in social media but has never been combined with data analysis from electronic health records. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the emergence of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in social media and their appearance in a large mental health database.MethodsInsufficient numbers of mentions of other NPS in case records meant that the study focused on mephedrone. Data were extracted on the number of mephedrone (i) references in the clinical record at the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, London, UK, (ii) mentions in Twitter, (iii) related searches in Google and (iv) visits in Wikipedia. The characteristics of current mephedrone users in the clinical record were also established.ResultsIncreased activity related to mephedrone searches in Google and visits in Wikipedia preceded a peak in mephedrone-related references in the clinical record followed by a spike in the other 3 data sources in early 2010, when mephedrone was assigned a ‘class B’ status. Features of current mephedrone users widely matched those from community studies.ConclusionsCombined analysis of information from social media and data from mental health records may assist public health and clinical surveillance for certain substance-related events of interest. There exists potential for early warning systems for health-care practitioners.

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