bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Buckingham Project — the description of a home based mental health service
Authors: Shanahan William J. , Falloon Ian RH , Laporta Marc , Krekorian Haroutyon AW 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA service based on the principle that the comprehensive mental health needs of a community can be more efficiently met by supporting the existing primary care services has been developed in the North Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire, England. The Buckingham Project is a home-based mental health service and caters for a rapidly expanding rural community of approximately thirty five thousand people between the ages of 16 and 65 years. Professional support is provided to the services and care already provided by primary health care teams, social agencies and above all, by families. Specially trained nurses work as specialists within the primary care teams in the area. Initial consultation is provided on the day of referral, often in the patient's home. Cost effective management approaches are employed throughout. The emphasis is on early detection of major mental illness and immediate intensive treatment using cognitive/behavioural treatment methods, and targeted low dose medication where necessary. The approach differs from the traditional hospital-based specialist services.
Sexual and marital dysfunction and polypartnerism in sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic attenders
Authors: O'Gorman Ethna C , Bownes Ian T. , Dinsmore Wallace W. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSexual dysfunctions are common in S.T.D. (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) Clinic attenders. Marital/relationship dysfunctions frequently follow specific sexual dysfunctions such as erectile, impotence and premature ejaculation. In addition concomitant marital therapy has been shown to enhance treatment for sexual dysfunction. Polypartnerism or multiple or serial sexual partners is also a common feature of S.T.D. clinic attenders. To date, no study has fully evaluated the social, psychological and medical determinants of this behaviour.The study examined the relationship between sexual dysfunction, marital difficulties and polypartnerism in 50 heterosexual STD clinic attenders. Thirty-one per cent of the sample had pathological scores on the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS). Forty-two per cent of the sample has pathological scores on the Golombok-Rust Inventory of Marital Satisfaction (GRIMS). There was a significant relationship between sexual dysfunction and marital dysfunction. Polypartnerism was also correlated with sexual and relationship dysfunction. It was felt that by offering treatment for specific sexual dysfunctions identified at STD clinics, marital/relationship difficulties could be averted. Subsequently polypartnerism could be reduced. By altering polypartnerism in this way, an important opportunity to influence vector spread of STD, including HIV infection is afforded.
Some thoughts about obsessional phenomena
Authors: Freedman David A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe author proposes that the propensity to develop obsessional modes of reaction is virtually ubiquitous and, for most people, highly adaptive. As for other parameters of functioning (e.g. blood pressure, blood glucose etc.) there is a range of “obsessionality” which is essential for survival. From the standpoint of the clinician the following questions need to be addressed: (1) Is there a pattern of developmental experiences which can be correlated with the emergence of obsessional phenomena? (2) Are there defineable life circumstances which can be related both to the failure to develop appropriate levels of obsessionality and to the development of a level of obsessionality which is maladaptive? (3) How to distinguish the obsessional character from the individual suffering from an obsessional neurosis? and (4) What therapeutic interventions are likely to be effective in the managment of the obsessional individual?
Methadone Treatment in Irish General Practice: Voices of Service Users
Authors: Latham Linda 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis study sets out to make a meaningful and useful contribution to the discussion surrounding the treatment of heroin addiction in Ireland. The study took place in nine urban general practices in Dublin city. Twenty five service users were interviewed in-depth. A phenomenological approach drawing on the psychological research methods of Colazzi for data analysis informed this study. Four themes emerged from the data: Service users' the significance of methadone for the service user; service users' understanding of the Methadone Treatment Protocol and the experience of addiction and its effect on families.This paper reports on the experiences of service users receiving methadone treatment in urban general practice in Dublin and in so doing highlights the influence of the GP in supporting recovery. It explores the theme - Service User's Experience of attending general practice for methadone treatment. These accounts provide insight into the harm reduction policy of methadone maintenance and highlight how - from the service users' experience - the implementation is falling short.
Analysis of Episodes of Involuntary Re-admission in Ireland (2007-2010)
Authors: Cunningham Gerry 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: Initial examination of data held by the Mental Health Commission indicated a number of patients having repeated involuntary readmissions (defined as patients having three or more involuntary episodes in a calendar year). The Commission sought more empirical analysis of the data relating to these patients, to determine if there were any trends or commonality regarding their demographic characteristics, length of episode, and diagnoses.Methods: From 1 November 2006 the Mental Health Commission has been notified of all involuntary admissions in Ireland under the Mental Health Act (2001). From this national database information on patients who have had three or more involuntary admissions per year was analysed.Results: In the period studied there has been an overall reduction in the number of voluntary and involuntary admissions to Irish psychiatric hospitals and units. However, the use of involuntary admission remains constant at around 10% of all admissions. Seven percent (n=569) of involuntary admission orders in this four year period relate to two percent (n=121) of all involuntary patients. Patients who have experienced repeated involuntary admissions are predominantly male (59%), often have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, or schizotypal and delusional disorders (57%), or mania (20%), are in the age band 22-64 (80%) and more often live in rural counties.Conclusions: Potential appears to exist to significantly reduce the number of involuntary admissions by focusing on the care given to patients who are repeatedly re-admitted. More analysis is needed of voluntary and involuntary re-admissions if inpatient facilities are to be effectively configured.
Suicide on the Isle of Wight: A Case-study of 35 Suicides among Mental Health Service Users Between 2006 and 2008
Authors: Shahpesandy Homayun , van Heeswijk Ad 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAims: To identify the sociodemographic, clinical and service delivery risk factors for suicide in psychiatric patients in a limited geographic area.Method: A retrospective case study of 35 patients who died as a result of suicide between January 2006 and December 2008.Results: Male gender, unemployment, living alone, basic education and significant life events were identified as sociodemographic factors. A history of previous psychiatric admission, previous suicide attempt, suffering from depression, co-morbidity of another psychiatric disorder (mainly stress-related symptoms and alcoholism), and contacting the services prior to suicide were found as typical clinical factors. Hanging was the most common method of suicide in both men and women. Most men died in spring and summer, while the majority of females died in autumn.Clinical implications: As in similar studies, mental disorders could be identified as the strongest risk factor for suicide. Almost 70% of suicides were conducted by people suffering from a mental disorder. Treating mental disorders and identifying certain sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of people suffering from mental disorders and addressing them is the key in suicide prevention strategies.
Patients' Satisfaction with a Psychiatric Day Hospital in the West Galway Catchments Area
Authors: Ul-haq Inam 
Published: March 2016

Aim: To evaluate patients' satisfaction with a psychiatric day hospital in the West Galway Catchments area.Study design: This is a cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was undertaken by using a 33-items questionnaire for 44 patients who attended the day hospital. SPSS version-12 was used for collecting and applying tests to the data, Fisher's exact test was used to analyse the data as sample size is small and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results are also presented in the form of descriptive analysis including percentages and frequencies.Results: Only 37 out of the 44 patients returned the questionnaires. Among the participants were 61% (n=22) male and 38% (n=15) female. The patients were mostly satisfied with the services available at the day hospital, except the waiting period for a first appointment. There was no significant (P=0.11) gender difference in terms of patients' satisfaction with the day hospital service. The age group, 45 years and above, were less satisfied (P=0.02) with the availability of a comfortable room for counselling, as compared to the younger age group. The patients did not like to tell others that they were attending the day hospital. The results were comparable with previous published patient satisfaction surveys using the same questionnaire by the Health Research Board, except that the patients in the present survey were more satisfied with the waiting area and availability of counselling. Conclusions: Patients are mostly satisfied with the West Galway day hospital services.The older patients (45 years and above) are not satisfied with the counselling room, and therefore further investigations are needed to ascertain their requirements for a counselling room. Patients are more satisfied with the waiting area and availability of counselling compared to the findings of other similar studies conducted in Ireland. Resources are needed to be allocated to the day hospital services.
Decreased Verbal Learning but not Recognition Performance in Alcohol-dependent Individuals During Early Abstinence
Authors: Daig Isolde , Mahlberg Richard , Stethin Julia , Schroeder Franziska , Wrase Jana , Knoll Nina , Bschor Tom , Esser Guenter , Heinz Andreas , Kienast Thorsten 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective:Alcoholism ultimately leads to impairment of memory and other cognitive functions. This can interfere with treatment, if cognitively impaired alcohol-dependent individuals have difficulties recalling and implementing skills acquired during therapy. We investigate if alcohol-dependent individuals without clinically apparent withdrawal symptoms may still be impaired in higher-order cognitive functions.Methods:Thirty-four alcohol-dependent patients and 20 matched healthy controls were tested with the Verbal Learning and Memory Test which includes seven measurement points. The test comprises free recall, free recall after distraction and after 30 minute delay, and a word recognition task. Testing was performed between day seven and day 10 after the beginning of abstinence, when clinical withdrawal symptoms had ceased.Results:Compared to healthy controls, alcohol-dependent patients performed worse in free recall after delay, but not in word recognition. Healthy controls showed a more linear progression of improvement in verbal memory performance. Overall, alcohol-dependent individuals showed reduced verbal learning efficiency. The extent of impaired recall after distraction was positively associated (one-tailed test) with history of delirium (r=0.34, p=0.04), seizures (r=0.46, p=0.01), and years since diagnosis for alcohol dependency (r=0.39, p=0.01).Conclusions:Our results provide evidence that unmedicated alcohol-dependent patients without obvious withdrawal symptoms had impaired verbal recall, but normal recognition performance, at seven to 10 days after onset of abstinence. This deficit may deteriorate treatment outcomes due to poorer implementation of skills newly-learned during this time period.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms in Adults with Psychiatric Disorders
Authors: Khalily Muhammad Tahir , Wota Anna Paulina , Hallahan Brian 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjective: This study explores unrecognised symptoms related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in individuals with a range of psychiatric disorders in the absence of traumatic events. We also examine the association between PTSD symptoms, social interaction with peers and therapeutic alliance with mental health professionals.Method: A purposive sample of 120 adults consecutively referred to the psychology department from September 2008 to September 2010 was included in this study. We used the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory 2 (MMPI-2) to ascertain the presence of PTSD symptoms, social interaction levels and treatment alliance with health professionals.Results: Individuals previously undiagnosed with PTSD, referred without any noted traumatic event had high levels of symptoms related to PTSD, as measured by the PK scale of the MMPI-2. The PK scale was significantly correlated with several MMPI-2 clinical scales, the Social Introversion Scale (Si) and the Treatment Alliance Scale (TRT) (p < 0.001).Conclusion: This study demonstrated the presence of symptoms related to PTSD in individuals with a range of psychiatric disorders despite the absence of reported trauma. The presence of symptoms related to PTSD may be associated with an indirect negative impact on social contacts and a poorer therapeutic alliance with mental health professionals. Investigating symptoms of PTSD during a psychological assessment even when trauma is not the presenting complaint is merited in most cases.
Knowledge and Attitude of Basic Psychiatric Trainees in Ireland to the Clinical Indemnity Scheme
Authors: Nkire Nnamdi , Akinsola Oluwatosin , Kavanagh Annette 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: To assess the knowledge of basic psychiatric trainees in Ireland of the Clinical Indemnity Scheme (CIS) and to ascertain how many basic specialist trainees in psychiatry had obtained additional medical indemnity cover and reasons for obtaining additional cover.Method: A structured questionnaire was distributed by post to 300 basic specialist trainees in psychiatric training schemes in Ireland. The questionnaire enquired about demographic details and examined the level of trainees' knowledge of the clinical indemnity scheme. Results were compiled and analysed using descriptive statistics and SPSS version 14.Results: The response rate was 49%. The bulk of respondents were male (65.5%), aged between 30-35 years of age (44.6%). The majority of the respondents were aware of the CIS, with approximately half of the respondents having acquired additional medical indemnity cover. The level of awareness of the CIS was proportionately more amongst male respondents (69.1%), compared with females (58.5%). However, more females (61.5%) had additional medical indemnity cover compared with males (45.5%). Irish national trainees were more aware (72.9%) and had additional medical indemnity (80%), compared with non-Irish national trainees of whom approximately 61% were aware of the CIS and only 40% had an additional cover. The level of knowledge regarding details of what the CIS provided coverage for was quite poor. Respondents who had obtained additional indemnity were unsure what cover their additional indemnity provided. Only 10 respondents had been involved in medico-legal cases and of these, five had medical indemnity at the time of the case, stating that the legal advice and support was helpful.Conclusion: Our survey has highlighted that a considerable number of basic specialist trainees in psychiatry in Ireland had no detailed knowledge of what the CIS indemnifies them for and what situations were not covered by the scheme. Additionally, it revealed a clear split in favour of Irish national trainees in comparison to non-Irish national trainees in terms of awareness of the CIS and the procurement of additional medical indemnity. There needs to be an educational drive to provide more information to psychiatric trainees regarding the CIS and other medical insurance schemes. Furthermore, it would be important to examine factors that influence trainees in obtaining/not obtaining additional cover.
Experience of an Inter-regional Research Symposium for Higher Psychiatric Trainees in Scotland
Authors: Duthie Ashleigh C , Shand Allen J , Anderson Seonaid M , Hamilton Ross J 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: We present our experience of an annual research symposium for psychiatric trainees in Scotland. This paper aimed to consider trainees' involvement in research by examining firstly rates of publication and secondly the views of trainees.Methods: A list of all presentations to the Senior Trainees' Annual Research Symposium (STARS) meetings 2007-2009 was compiled and a detailed search made of major research databases. A questionnaire survey examined the views of attendees at the 2009 meeting.Results: Fifty percent of presented work achieved publication. Feedback from symposia attendees was almost universally positive.Conclusions: At a time of debate on the value of research sessions as part of higher training and a recent reduction in time allocated to research in the UK, we report on a thriving annual meeting. Research symposia for higher trainees were valued by participants and may be one useful means of encouraging trainee research.
Threshold Concepts and Teaching Psychiatry: Key to the Kingdom or Emperor's New Clothes?
Authors: Suibhne Seamus Mac 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPsychiatry, more than most medical specialties, must engage with undergraduate medical education to prevent the further marginalisation of mental health within medicine. There is an urgency to the need for psychiatrists and educationalists to communicate, and for psychiatrists to be aware of developments in educational theory. The idea of ‘threshold concepts’ is currently widely discussed by educationalists. Threshold concepts are described as areas of knowledge without which the learner cannot progress, and which, when grasped, lead to a transformation in the learner's perspective and understanding. Threshold concepts have been criticised on conceptual grounds, and there is a lack of clarity as to how to identify them empirically. While they may represent a fruitful approach to the task of engaging medical students in psychiatry teaching, it is suggested that further development of the idea is required before it could be usefully applied. However empirical studies in other disciplines suggest that there may be associated benefits to the teaching of the discipline from trying to identify threshold knowledge.
Study of Presentations for Involuntary Admission to a Cork Approved Centre
Authors: Dunne Elaine , Moloney Eamonn 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: To describe the characteristics of patients who present to an approved centre with Mental Health Act 2001 forms, and secondly, to compare those who were subsequently detained to those who were not detained.Methods: Specific data on patients who presented to South Lee Mental Health Unit with application and recommendation forms for Involuntary Admission over a 22 month period was gathered from a retrospective case note review. Information on both groups was compared statistically using Graph Pad Prism software.Results: 71% (n=121) of patients presenting for involuntary admission did so outside of normal working hours. Those who were not subsequently detained were more likely to have had their application made by the Gardai and their recommendation made by someone other than their own General Practitioner (GP). GPs were more likely than Consultant Psychiatrists to cite risk to self or others as the reason for involuntary admission.Conclusion: Although involuntary admissions most often occur in emergency situations, every effort should be made to ensure that those who are known to the patient are involved in the process of application and recommendation. In addition, there is a need for ongoing training and education of those most commonly involved, such as the Gardai and General Practitioners, as well as feedback to these groups when a patient presents who does not require involuntary admission.
Psychiatrists in their eyes: Children's drawings of what a psychiatrist looks like
Authors: Omer Sami , O'Connor Niamh , Sweeney Gavin , McCarthy Geraldine 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDrawings can be used as an important tool to measure children's perception and emotions. Using a qualitative design, we asked a group of 24 school children (10 boys and 14 girls) aged 11-12 to draw their impressions of psychiatrists. In the majority of drawings, psychiatrists were portrayed as a friendly or kind figure. The art work was analysed by the coordinator of the Arts Initiative in Mental Health, Niamh O'Connor. Psychiatrists were portrayed positively by this group of young people. This reflects a strong influence of the media on children's perception.
Regional functional synchronizations in dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Peraza Luis R. , Colloby Sean J. , Deboys Liam , O'Brien John T. , Kaiser Marcus , Taylor John-Paul 
Published: March 2016

ABSTRACTBackground:Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common cause of dementia in the elderly population after Alzheimer's disease (AD), and at early stages differential diagnosis between DLB and AD might be difficult due to their symptomatic overlap, e.g. cognitive and memory impairments. We aimed to investigate functional brain differences between both diseases in patients recently diagnosed.Methods:We investigated regional functional synchronizations using regional homogeneity (ReHo) in patients clinically diagnosed with DLB (n = 19) and AD (n = 18), and for comparisons we also included healthy controls (HC, n = 16). Patient groups were matched by age, education, and by the level of cognitive impairment (MMSE p-value = 0.36). Additionally, correlations between ReHo values and clinical scores were investigated.Results:The DLB group showed lower ReHo in sensory-motor cortices and higher ReHo in left middle temporal gyrus when compared with HCs (p-value < 0.001 uncorrected). The AD group demonstrated lower ReHo in the cerebellum and higher ReHo in the left/right lingual gyri, precuneus cortex, and other occipital and parietal regions (p-value < 0.001 uncorrected).Conclusions:Our results agree with previous ReHo investigations in Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting that functional alterations in motor-related regions might be a characteristic of the Lewy body disease spectrum. However, our results in AD contradict previously reported findings for this disease and ReHo, which we speculate are a reflection of compensatory brain responses at early disease stages. ReHo differences between patient groups were at regions related to the default mode and sensory-motor resting state networks which might reflect the aetiological divergences in the underlying disease processes between AD and DLB.