title: Risk axis: Implementation of structured clinical guidelines for the assessment and management of risk in psychiatry

authors: Kumar, Shailesh

subjects: classification

abstract: Introduction: Mental health clinicians routinely assess risk in three domains: suicide, violence and self neglect. While the published work on the assessment of these risks has increased, concerns are often expressed that assessment alone does not lead to management of the identified risk. Not all axes of multiaxial classificatory systems are used by clinicians to the same extent, despite their proven usefulness. It is possible that a dedicated axis for risk management as a part of a multiaxial classificatory system could align risk assessment with management and increase utility of multiaxial classificatory systems.
Methods: Based on our earlier work we developed a comprehensive risk management axis (RMA), which was then further refined by conducting a pilot study and then used to collect data retrospectively from the case notes of 100 patients consecutively discharged from a general psychiatric ward.
Results: Common association between risk factors and three risk domains were as follows. Violence: active symptoms of major mental illness, employment problems, and major mental illness; Suicide: history of abuse, clinically significant depressive symptoms, and alcohol and drug use; Self neglect: neglect of home, personal safety, noncompliance with treatment, male gender, and low income. We also investigated whether the presence of a particular risk factor acted as a barrier or prompt for clinicians to address management factors in the RMA.
Discussion: It is possible to assess risk across the three domains and to derive management plans by using the proposed RMA. Minimal clinical background is necessary for collecting data retrospectively. It should be possible to apply this axis prospectively.

text: Risk axis: Implementation of structured clinical guidelines for the assessment and management of risk in psychiatry Introduction: Mental health clinicians routinely assess risk in three domains: suicide, violence and self neglect. While the published work on the assessment of these risks has increased, concerns are often expressed that assessment alone does not lead to management of the identified risk. Not all axes of multiaxial classificatory systems are used by clinicians to the same extent, despite their proven usefulness. It is possible that a dedicated axis for risk management as a part of a multiaxial classificatory system could align risk assessment with management and increase utility of multiaxial classificatory systems.
Methods: Based on our earlier work we developed a comprehensive risk management axis (RMA), which was then further refined by conducting a pilot study and then used to collect data retrospectively from the case notes of 100 patients consecutively discharged from a general psychiatric ward.
Results: Common association between risk factors and three risk domains were as follows. Violence: active symptoms of major mental illness, employment problems, and major mental illness; Suicide: history of abuse, clinically significant depressive symptoms, and alcohol and drug use; Self neglect: neglect of home, personal safety, noncompliance with treatment, male gender, and low income. We also investigated whether the presence of a particular risk factor acted as a barrier or prompt for clinicians to address management factors in the RMA.
Discussion: It is possible to assess risk across the three domains and to derive management plans by using the proposed RMA. Minimal clinical background is necessary for collecting data retrospectively. It should be possible to apply this axis prospectively.

year: 2010

title: Student views on short-text assignment formats in fully online courses

authors: Earl Rinehart, (Suzanne) Kerry

subjects: online learning

abstract: Tertiary educators (and their institutions) are turning to technology to help meet increased demands in a changing environment. Assessment is one area where such moves are being made. This paper reminds us that assessment is more than a summative check on student knowledge and skills, it is an experience and part of the communication, and therefore relationship, between teachers and students. Student experience of assessment impacts on student perceptions of themselves, teacher and course quality. Having previously proposed the benefits of short-text formats for assignment tasks for teachers, this paper reports on a case study of student perceptions of these forms of assessment. Student responses were gathered using an online survey after a 12-week fully online undergraduate course. Findings suggest short-text assignments are rated highly by students not because of a shorter word count but because students appreciated the variety and creativity aspects to these assignments.

text: Student views on short-text assignment formats in fully online courses Tertiary educators (and their institutions) are turning to technology to help meet increased demands in a changing environment. Assessment is one area where such moves are being made. This paper reminds us that assessment is more than a summative check on student knowledge and skills, it is an experience and part of the communication, and therefore relationship, between teachers and students. Student experience of assessment impacts on student perceptions of themselves, teacher and course quality. Having previously proposed the benefits of short-text formats for assignment tasks for teachers, this paper reports on a case study of student perceptions of these forms of assessment. Student responses were gathered using an online survey after a 12-week fully online undergraduate course. Findings suggest short-text assignments are rated highly by students not because of a shorter word count but because students appreciated the variety and creativity aspects to these assignments.

year: 2013

title: Lake Rotokakahi water quality update 1990-2011

authors: Butterworth, Joseph

subjects: Lake Rotokakahi

abstract: Lake Rotokakahi is an Iwi-owned lake administered by the Lake Rotokakahi Board of Control on Behalf of lake owners who are descendants from the Ngāti Tumatawera and Tūhourangi hapū of Te Arawa. It is mesotrophic (moderate water quality) lake with an area of 4.4 km² comprised of exotic forestry (57.1%), pasture (26.3%) and regenerating indigenous forest/scrub (16.6%).

text: Lake Rotokakahi water quality update 1990-2011 Lake Rotokakahi is an Iwi-owned lake administered by the Lake Rotokakahi Board of Control on Behalf of lake owners who are descendants from the Ngāti Tumatawera and Tūhourangi hapū of Te Arawa. It is mesotrophic (moderate water quality) lake with an area of 4.4 km² comprised of exotic forestry (57.1%), pasture (26.3%) and regenerating indigenous forest/scrub (16.6%).

year: 2012