bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Trainee Engagement With the Royal College of Psychiatrists (Trent Division)
Authors: Roberts Kris , McPhail Emma , Krishnan Deepa Bagepalli 
Published: July 2023

AimsThe Psychiatric Trainees Committee (PTC) is a national community of psychiatric trainees comprised of representatives from all College areas. Over our recent term, Dr Deepa Krishnan, Dr Kris Roberts and Dr Emma McPhail covered the Trent region. In addition to national roles, we were keen to encourage trainees to engage with the PTC to improve trainee advocacy in line with National PTC strategy. Engaged and supported trainees are vital for ensuring good standards of patient care, and for safeguarding the future of the workforce in terms of recruitment and retention, which further intersects with ongoing quality and provision of patient care. The agreed aims, which were agreed with the RCPsych Trent Executive Committee, were formulated in-line with the national PTC priorities for 2021–2022: 1,to enhance communication, visibility and reach of the RCPsych within trainees in the Trent region; and 2, being mindful of challenges around recruitment and retention in psychiatry training posts, to improve education and support for trainees.MethodsUsing quality improvement methodology, we hypothesised there to be two aspects to trainee engagement. These were conceptualised in two ways: emotional engagement (meaning feeling supported, valued, and promotion of well-being); and intellectual engagement (meaning cognitive stimulation, recognition, and access to opportunities to develop knowledge).A free, online trainee-specific conference, the first of its kind in the Trent Division, was agreed as an intervention to address trainee engagement across both domains. Because it was run “for trainees by trainees”, we were able to tailor the content to be specifically helpful and relevant to trainees.We were keen to offer a varied program within the broad domains affecting engagement and we were delighted to be able to secure an exciting line-up of speakers both from within the Trent region and from further afield.ResultsThe conference proved so popular to sign up to that it had to be closed early. The conference gathered excellent feedback from participants, with 100% of trainees rating the conference overall as “good” or “excellent.”ConclusionThe Trent PTC hopes to run the conference again in the coming year, we hope it will become a regular fixture in the RCPsych Trent calendar, to ensure that trainees are kept at the heart of division planning. This project spearheaded by trainees for trainees to improve trainee engagement and support exemplifies collaborative leadership.
Psychiatry Pitstop – Can an Established Face-to-Face Communication Skills Teaching Programme Be Delivered Online?
Authors: Taylor Anna Kathryn , Shankla Indeera , Ebeye Debbie-Faith , Graham Alex 
Published: July 2023

AimsPsychiatry Pitstop is a communication skills teaching programme for fourth year medical students that is led and run voluntarily by trainee psychiatrists. Initially, the format was a 6-week course after working hours, with each week covering a different topic and three simulated patient scenarios using professional actors. Since 2020, this programme has been run online. Aims: 1. To use pre and post-course questionnaires to study whether online delivery is comparable to face-to-face. 2. To gain qualitative and quantitative data from students to assess advantages and disadvantages of online delivery.MethodsPre- and post-course questionnaires using Likert scales have been used since the Programme's 2015 inception. Additional questions asked about medical students’ views on the online delivery. Pre- and post-course questionnaires were analysed using Chi-squared to determine whether there had been a subjective improvement in communication skills, and online courses were compared to face-to-face.Results17.9% students agreed with “My communication skills in psychiatry are good” before the face-to-face course, compared with 81.32% of medical students afterwards (p < .01). 26.47% agreed before the online course, compared with 80.95% afterwards (p < .01).22.7% students agreed with “Talking to patients about mental illness makes me uncomfortable” before the face-to-face course, compared with 6.87% afterwards (p < .01). 11.77% agreed before the online course, compared with 14.29% of students afterwards (p = .785).51.55% students disagreed with “I do not know how to ask about symptoms of mental illness” before the face-to-face course compared with 91.2% afterwards (p < .01). 47.05% disagreed before the online course compared with 80.95% of students afterwards (p < .01).Students enjoyed online delivery, feeling it was realistic and reflected current consultations. Online delivery also made sessions more accessible and time-efficient. However, students reported that they would prefer at least one session to be face-to-face.ConclusionThe study shows that online delivery of Psychiatry Pitstop leads to a similar improvement in medical students’ subjective assessment of and confidence in their communication skills, and an increased knowledge of questions to ask in a psychiatric history. The face-to-face sessions have been shown to reduce the level of discomfort experienced by medical students when talking to patients with mental illness. This improvement was not replicated with the online delivery of teaching, but as this result was not statistically significant, further data should be obtained.Students value being able to engage in additional communication skills training and future Pitstops should consider trialling a hybrid model.
Foundation Trainees and Their Perceived Confidence in Practicing Mental Health Competencies Post Their Psychiatry Placements: An Evaluation Study
Authors: Varvari Ioana , Dewhurst Tom , Jones Corinne , Haslam Richard 
Published: July 2023

AimsThe new United Kingdom Foundation Programme Curriculum was implemented in 2021 and emphasizes the importance of Foundation Trainees (FTs) acquiring mandatory core skills and knowledge in mental health. The primary aim of this evaluation study is to assess the effectiveness of Maudsley's Training Programme in teaching these skills. Secondarily, it looks at FTs' preferred method of acquiring the mandated competencies. Finally, it aims to shine a light on an area of program evaluation that is lacking in the literature.MethodsAn outcome analysis evaluation design was used with a pre and post-quantitative questionnaire as the preferred data collection tool. The outcome measured was confidence and corresponds to Level 2 – Learning on Kirkpatrick's Evaluation Hierarchy. Our questionnaire comprised 4 stem questions, using a 5-point anchor Likert scale. The scales were tailored to reflect the core curricular competencies. Data were collected from a sample of 85 FTs between August 2021 and March 2023 and analysed using Excel functions and a Power Shell Script to calculate measures of central tendency.ResultsEntry median confidence levels were: 3 (Fairly confident) for recognition, 3 for assessment, and 2 (Slightly confident) in managing common mental health conditions. Post-training, the median confidence level in our sample increased to 4 for recognition, 4 for assessment, and 3 for management which denotes a significant positive impact. Examples of outliers are the median confidence seen in assessing Personality Disorders, which increased from 1 (Not at all important) to 3, whereas for recognizing and assessing Delirium and Substance use disorder the median did not change. Looking at teaching methods preferred by the trainees, ad-hoc training on the job and small group seminars were by far most preferred with 24% and 23.6% of responses respectively followed by Self-directed learning and Simulation with 13.8% each and the least preferred were reflective practice (Balint) and mentoring with 3.7% each.ConclusionThere is a trend of FTs becoming confident post 4 months of psychiatric training in recognizing assessing and managing mental health conditions. Ad hoc and seminar teaching being is the preferred method of acquiring these skills. Moving forward, efforts should be made in evaluating training programs for FTs in psychiatry with the purpose of improving the acquisition of such skills and understanding the best way to teach these. Then, consideration should be given to how we apply these to FTs that don't rotate in psychiatry.
Psychiatric Consultation Skills Toolkit - a Pilot
Authors: Webb Cara 
Published: July 2023

AimsThe aim is to understand whether the online video based psychiatric consultation skills toolkit, which was developed to attempt to address some of the differential attainment seen amongst International Medical Graduates (IMGs) within psychiatry, is feasible, effective and acceptable by running a pilot amongst core psychiatric trainees in the North West prior to a full roll out.Methods19 trainees sitting the 2022 North West formative skills test were invited to take part by email. 7 trainees accessed the toolkit. Performance from the skills test was analysed in excel looking at averages of individual domains across all stations. Results from those who used the toolkit prior to the skills test were compared with those who did not access the toolkit. Toolkit completion rates were obtained and feedback was accessed from an online survey. Data were analysed in excel, rigour was ensured by the supervisor reviewing data and results.ResultsThere were 7 trainees who accessed the toolkit, 3 IMGs and 4 UK graduates. 12 trainees sat the skills test but did not access the toolkit, 9 IMGs and 3 UK graduates.Regarding acceptability of the toolkit, IMGs completed 92.7% of the toolkit on average and UK graduates completed 87.8%. 86% of trainees strongly agreed that the toolkit was easy to use and 14% agreed. 57% of trainees strongly agreed that the toolkit had helped develop their communication skills and 43% agreed. 86% of participants strongly agreed and 14% agreed that they would recommend the toolkit to a colleague suggesting they found it helpful and acceptable to use.The highest percentage improvement in scores with toolkit use was in clinical skills amongst IMGs of 29.4%, followed by communication skills amongst international medical graduates with a 25.5% improvement to their counterparts who did not use the toolkit.On average, across all domains, IMGs improved by 25.3% and UK graduates by 20% in their average score.ConclusionThe results above suggest that the toolkit has been well completed and deemed acceptable by those who accessed it during the pilot period.Although the results statistical significance cannot be determined at present due to small sample size, it is hoped when the project is fully rolled out this will be demonstrated and the initial findings showing some improvement in both IMGs and UK graduates are encouraging.It appears that this toolkit could go come way to addressing the differential attainment seen between IMGs and UK graduates.
Applying the Principles of Midlands Charter to Improve Well-being of Psychiatry Higher Trainee in BSMHFT
Authors: Yahya Nurul , Mansour Amna , Scally Ruth 
Published: July 2023

AimsThe Midlands’ Charter outlines commitment to prioritise the restoration of postgraduate medical education and training impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic . The support provided must be accessible, inclusive, and culturally sensitive, with a greater understanding of current barriers that the trainees face to achieve this goal. This project aims to identify the barrier of receiving well-being support and to enhance psychiatry higher trainee's well-being in the trust by following the principles of Midland's Charter.MethodsWe designed an anonymous electronic survey, where multiple choice questions and Likert scales were used to quantify respondents’ levels of agreement with a range of statements. Questions were selected to capture baseline characteristic, rating of current well-being score, access to well-being support, barriers, and suggestion of improvement.The survey was open for one month and was distributed to all psychiatry higher trainees working in BSMHFT.ResultsWe identified a response rate of 81%.One of the main themes of the survey that came up repeatedly was that trainees are struggling with clinical workload that sometimes overspilled to their personal time, which means family time is affected. More than half of the trainees reported that they do not know how to access well-being support in the trust. While the result was split in half when the trainees were asked if they have a well-being concern whilst working for the trust. Trainees said that there is very little support given to attend any nonrelated work engagement and they made grievance on the difficulty of accessing the trust occupational health and well-being services.ConclusionSince the inception of the survey, several recommendations were trialled. This include raising awareness among clinicals supervisors, where a video was uploaded on to the Trust intranet outlining the tips of becoming a good clinical supervisor. A well-being booklet was introduced as part of trainees’ induction, and this was also made available on the intranet. Lastly, an awareness on ST representative role was also highlighted so that they can continue to facilitate an ST forum meeting as platform to raise concerns.
Identification of Cognitive Impairment in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Jamali Qutub , Adeyemo Suraju , Abdelgawad Ahmed , Narayan Sucharitha , Beg Mirza Najiullah , Karim Salman , Oraegbunam Chukwuma , Solanki Kalpesh 
Published: July 2023

AimsCardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a multidisciplinary intervention for people after an adverse cardiac event to improve their physical, psychological and social functioning. The risk factors of cardiac disease and dementia are similar. This cross sectional study aims to determine whether adding memory assessment to a CR program would improve early detection of cognitive impairment. Therefore, the research question is- “Can adding a memory assessment to the cardiac rehabilitation program improve early detection of cognitive impairment in people with cardiac disease?”.MethodsStudy ethical approval was granted by Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee (reference 20/YH/0146) and the NHS Health Research Authority (project reference 273763). The Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust accepted the role and responsibilities of study sponsorship. Participants underwent cognitive screening and the data obtained was divided into: - 1- History of memory problems before and after the adverse cardiac event. 2- No memory problems before but presents after. 3- No memory problems before and after.ResultsDuring the study period, 48 participants who were at the cardiac rehabilitation program expressed their interest to patriciate in the study. Out of 48 participants who expressed their interest in participating in the study, 30 of them did not engage beyond expressing their interest and 18 out of 48 completed the assessment. The studied sample was categorized into three groups according to the relation between the onset of the cognitive decline and the onset of the cardiac condition: those with no history of cognitive decline (22.2%), cognitive decline following the onset of the cardiac condition (27.8 %) and cognitive decline before and after the onset of the cardiac condition (50 %). Comparing the number of the participants in the studied sample who has history of cognitive decline revealed that there was statistically significant difference between the number of participants who have history of cognitive decline and the other group which demonstrated no decline in their cognitive function (p = 0.031). On correlating medications variables with all domains of cognitive functions assessments done by using ACE-III, we found that participants who are taking statins as regular medications had higher mean scores for visuospatial subtest than the other group of participants who are not taking statins and this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.012).ConclusionThis study indicate that CR could potentially enable early detection of cognitive impairment, which could be either reversible or irreversible. However, a longitudinal study of larger scale is required for proper implementation of cognitive assessment in cardiac rehabilitation.
Prevalence and Psychological Correlates of Sexual Harassment in a Non-Clinical Sample of Nigerian Adolescents
Authors: Oloniniyi Ibidunni , Adelola Aderopo , Opakunle Tolulope , Aloba Olutayo , Oginni Olakunle , Seun-Fadipe Champion , Olaiya Febisola 
Published: July 2023

AimsSexual harassment among adolescents is a hidden epidemic with far-reaching consequences. This is because adolescence is a period of identity formation, exploration, and initiation of intimate relationships. Reviews have demonstrated causal associations between any type of victimization at school and adolescent well-being and later-life health, economic and social outcomes. The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of sexual harassment and identifying the psychological correlates of sexual harassment among a sample of Nigerian high school adolescents.MethodsA multistage stratified sampling was used in this cross-sectional study to recruit 960 high school adolescents out of which 918 provided valid responses (mean age = 15.1 +/- 1.36 years). They answered questionnaires that assessed sociodemographic variables, sexual harassment (Sexual Harassment Questionnaire), overall well-being (General Health Questionnaire-12(GHQ-12), anxiety and depressive symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), self-esteem (Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC) and positive ideation/negative suicide ideations (Positive and Negative Suicidal ideation Scale (PANSI-PI/NSI). Descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted with statistical significance set at p-value <0.05.ResultsFemales constituted 51.4% of the sample. About a quarter (26.1%) of our participants reported that they had experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime. The mean total scores on the sexual harassment, overall well-being, anxiety and depressive symptoms, self-esteem, resilience, negative suicidal ideation, and suicide ideation scales were 32.64 (SD = 13.64), 1.91(2.32),17.01(SD = 6.37),18.76(SD = 4.41), 21.78(SD = 8.40), 13.14(SD = 6.33) and 16.84 (SD = 6.23) respectively. Sexual harassment scores were positively correlated with GHQ-12 scores (r = 0.34, p < 0.001), HADS (r = 0.30, p < 0.001), and PANSI-NSI (r = 0.50, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with RSES (r = −0.20, p < 0.001) however the correlation with resilience was not significant (r = −0.06, p = 0.76).ConclusionSexual harassment is a pervasive problem among adolescents that is associated with low well-being, low self-esteem, the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms, and increased suicidality. It is therefore essential for relevant stakeholders to develop and implement appropriate policies that would assist in identifying and addressing this menace among school students. Adequate psychological intervention should also be provided for affected individuals.
Lifestyle Interventions in Preventing Excess Weight Gain in First Episode of Psychosis (FEP): A Systematic Review
Authors: Adeoye Margret , Vincent Arun , Shergill Sukhi , Faruqui Rafey 
Published: July 2023

AimsWeight gain, cardiometabolic complications and psychosis are implicated in significant reduction in life expectancy.While there is current research to uncover a shared aetiology for mental illness and metabolic diseases, people with FEP are especially vulnerable to rapid weight gain during the early stages of treatment due to the side effects profile of many antipsychotic medications. Physical exercise along with lifestyle and dietary modifications have proven efficacy in weight reduction, improving metabolic profile and mental well-being and may be valuable interventions during the early stages of a psychotic illness.Our aim was to find evidence to support the use of non-pharmacological interventions in managing weight gain in people with FEP.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of electronic databases; MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsycINFO on 06/01/2023. We included all studies that looked at non-pharmacological interventions in the management of weight gain for people diagnosed with FEP. Findings are reported in line with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Two authors independently assessed the included studies’ methodological quality using The National Institute of Health (NIH) quality assessment tool for cohort and cross-sectional studies and all included studies were rated as good.ResultsOur search identified 221 studies and 5 met our inclusion criteria. All studies had a control group that received treatment as usual (TAU) and a test group with Interventions such as dietetic support and exercise programs. Four of the studies demonstrated reduced weight gain on follow up with lifestyle interventions that were statistically significant while the remaining one study did not show a significant difference between groups. One study showed sustained improvement in diet quality with no significant weight change at 2 year follow up. The essential lifestyle interventions that led to reduced weight gain included psychoeducation on healthy lifestyle, dietary modifications and exercise.Three studies included cardiovascular risk factors such as lipid profile and blood glucose. One of them demonstrated increased cardiometabolic risk factors at baseline which worsened initially but improved after 1 to 2 years of intervention. Another study found increased cholesterol in the intervention group and increased glucose levels in the TAU group and the third study did not find a significant difference between the groups.ConclusionLifestyle weight-management interventions have the potential to reduce weight gain in patients with FEP receiving antipsychotic treatment, but research evidence is very limited at present.