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This study evaluated the real-world effectiveness of mentalization-based treatment by assessing the clinical status of patients before and after completing the treatment program, which was nested within a general adult community mental health service, and by comparing these patients with a treatment-as-usual group.In this retrospective longitudinal naturalistic study, patients with a primary diagnosis of borderline personality disorder received either mentalization-based treatment (N=34) or treatment as usual (N=51). Data were collected from clinical charts and hospital databases. Presentations to the emergency department (ED), psychiatric and medical hospitalizations, and rates of loss to follow-up were analyzed for both groups.In the 2 years after a course of mentalization-based treatment, significant reductions were noted in psychiatric hospitalizations (p=0.018). Compared with the treatment-as-usual group, the intervention group had significant reductions in ED presentations (p=0.004) and medical admissions (p=0.040), when the analysis controlled for age and gender. At study endpoint, the proportion of patients lost to follow-up in the treatment-as-usual group was larger (χMentalization-based treatment embedded within a community mental health team may have a positive effect, with significant improvements in unscheduled service use and notable reductions in ED presentations, hospitalizations, loss to follow-up, and mortality. There may be value in building on this study with more prospective, systematic research and patient-reported outcomes to assess the practical significance of this intervention in general psychiatric settings.

Objectives: There has been a notable increase in requests for psychiatric reports from District Courts for persons remanded to Ireland’s main remand prison, Cloverhill. We aimed to identify if reports were prepared for persons with severe mental illness and if they led to therapeutic benefits such as diversion to healthcare. Measures of equitability between Cloverhill and other District Courts were explored. Methods: For District Court-requested reports completed by the Prison Inreach and Court Liaison Service (PICLS) at Cloverhill Prison from 2015 to 2017, we recorded clinical variables and therapeutic outcomes such as diversion to inpatient psychiatric settings. Results: Of 236 cases, over half were diverted to inpatient or outpatient psychiatric care. One-third of remand episodes were admitted to a psychiatric hospital, mainly in non-forensic settings. Nearly two-thirds had major mental illness, mainly schizophrenia and related conditions. Almost half had active psychosis. Cases in Cloverhill District Court and other District Courts were similarly likely to have active psychosis (47% overall) and hospital admission (33% overall). Voluntary reports were more likely to identify active psychosis, with over 90% diverted to inpatient or outpatient community treatment settings. Conclusions: This is the first large scale study of diversion outcomes following requests for psychiatric advice from District Courts in Ireland. Requests were mainly appropriate. Over half led to diversion from the criminal justice system to healthcare settings. There is a need for a complementary network of diversion initiatives at every stage of the criminal justice system to effectively divert mentally ill individuals to appropriate settings at the earliest possible stage.

BackgroundA need arose to divert patients with psychiatric complaints from the emergency department to alternative settings for psychiatric consultations to reduce footfall during COVID-19. We assessed the effectiveness of alternative referral pathway in reducing COVID-19 infection in our service and its effect on service quality: response time and number of patients leaving before the review. We evaluated the satisfaction of patients, general practitioners (GPs) and mental health service staff with the pathway.MethodsAll patients referred to the mental health service over a 2-month period following the introduction of the pathway were included. Findings were compared against the cohort referred for emergency assessment during the same period in 2019. Feedback surveys were distributed to patients, staff and GPs. χ2 and independent sample t-test were used to compare the variables.ResultsOver 2 months, 255 patients received an emergency assessment via the pathway, representing a 22.3% decrease in the volume of presentations from the same period in 2019. There were no COVID-19 cases among our patients or staff on the roster for assessing patients. In comparison to 2019, response times were improved (pConclusionThe pathway was successful in reducing the spread of infection, improving response times and reducing the numbers of patients who left without an assessment. Given the improved outcomes and acceptability, this is a preferable pathway for emergency referrals into the future.

Objectives:This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on presentations to an acute hospital with self-harm.Methods:All presentations to University Hospital Galway with self-harm were assessed during the peak period of the coronavirus crisis in Ireland, over the 3 months from 1 March to 31 May 2020. These data were compared with presentations in the same months in the 3 years preceding (2017–2019). Data were obtained from the anonymised service database.Results:This study found that in 2020, the rate of presentation with self-harm dropped by 35% from March to April and rose by 104% from April to May, peaking from mid-May. When trends over a 4-year period were examined, there was a significantly higher lethality of attempt (p < 0.001), and significant differences in diagnosis (p = 0.031) in 2020 in comparison with the three previous years. The increased lethality of presentations remained significant after age and gender were controlled for (p = 0.036). There were also significant differences in the underlying psychiatric diagnoses (p = 0.018), notably with a significant increase in substance misuse disorders presenting during the 2020 study period.Conclusions:COVID-19 showed a reduction in self-harm presentations initially, followed by a sharp increase in May 2020. If a period of economic instability follows as predicted, it is likely that this will further impact the mental health of the population, along with rates of self-harm and suicidal behaviours. There is a need for research into the longer-term effect of COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions, especially with respect to self-harm.

Irish Travellers are a marginalised ethnic minority with poor health outcomes, especially in mental health: the suicide rate in this population is 6–7 times that in the general population. There is a paucity of research into associated clinical risk factors including self-harm and mental illnesses. To examine the prevalence and treatments of mental disorders among Travellers attending a community mental health team (CMHT) in Galway. This is a cross-sectional study of the CMHT database, and included all Travellers who were active cases on the study day were included in this study. Travellers formed 12.4% (51 out of 410) of the active caseload of the mental health service. The mean age was 35.7 years (SD 13.1). The most common mental disorder was depressive disorder (16/51, 31.4%). Of 51 patients, 25.5% (13/51) were diagnosed with BPD: 7 had other comorbid mental disorders. Patients diagnosed with BPD are significantly more likely to be prescribed psychopharmacotherapy (t = 2.834, p = 0.007). A diagnosis of BPD was significantly associated with history of self-harm after controlling for age and gender (OR 2.3, p = 0.005). This study shows that there is a significant overrepresentation of Travellers in mental health services, suggesting significant need for accessible and acceptable interventions. Those with a BPD diagnosis have a significantly higher risk of self-harm, representing an ultra-high-risk population. These findings can be used to plan future service development projects to better meet the needs of this population: they may require specially adapted version of the mentalisation-based treatment programme.

IntroductionDespite an evidence base demonstrating simulation to be an effective medical education tool, it is not commonly used in postgraduate psychiatry training as it is in other medical specialties.ObjectiveThis paper outlines the development and effectiveness of a hybrid-virtual simulation-based workshop designed to improve patient care by improving clinical skills of non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) in detecting and managing rare and complex psychiatric emergencies.MethodsThree clinical vignettes based on near-miss psychiatric cases were developed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and nurses in psychiatry and experts in simulation-based medical education. The workshop, ‘SafePsych’ was delivered in a simulation laboratory while and broadcast via Zoom video-conferencing platform to observers. Debriefing followed each clinical scenario. Participants completed preworkshop and postworkshop questionnaires to evaluate clinical knowledge.ResultsThe workshop was attended by consultants (n=12) and NCHDs in psychiatry and emergency medicine (n=19), and psychiatric nurses (n=5). In the psychiatry NCHD group, test scores significantly improved following the workshop (pConclusionSimulation-based training is effective in teaching high risk, rare complex psychiatric cases to psychiatry NCHDs. Further exploration of the learning needs of nursing staff is required. Future workshop delivery is feasible in the COVID-19 environment and beyond, using a virtual element to meet social distancing requirements while enhancing the reach of the training.

COVID-19 has presented many challenges to all aspects of the medical environment, including teaching and learning.1 2 Following an almost complete cessation of face-to-face simulation teaching activities in Spring 2020 due to COVID-19, we adapted and turned to the use of creative solutions to teach clinical skills in a safe but effective learning environment. Simulation training in psychiatry has traditionally focused on communication skills teaching and learning.3 4 Previous reports discussed the advantages of simulation as an alternative to role play for providing trainees with clinical experience in a safe learning environment with the potential for improved educational outcomes.5 We outline our experience of running a socially distanced simulation workshop for a multidisciplinary group of learners in psychiatry, combining a small number of in-person learners and a larger number attending synchronously and remotely using Zoom audiovisual technology.6 Galway University Hospitals (GUH) is a tertiary teaching hospital on the west coast of Ireland. It has an on-site simulation facility, the Irish Centre for Applied Patient Safety and Simulation. With the Department of Psychiatry at GUH, they have previously delivered a multidisciplinary simulation workshop on common psychiatric presentations.7 Psychiatry staff were keen to develop a follow-on workshop and to include participants from emergency medicine (EM). Using a collaborative iterative approach, a workshop using simulated patients (SPs) focusing on diagnosis and management of rare but challenging psychiatric emergencies was developed: ‘SafePsych’. Three scenarios, informed by feedback from psychiatry …

Irish Travellers are a marginalised ethnic minority with poor health outcomes, especially in mental health: the suicide rate in this population is 6-7 times that in the general population. There is a paucity of research into associated clinical risk factors including self-harm and mental illnesses.To examine the prevalence and treatments of mental disorders among Travellers attending a community mental health team (CMHT) in Galway.This is a cross-sectional study of the CMHT database, and included all Travellers who were active cases on the study day were included in this study.Travellers formed 12.4% (51 out of 410) of the active caseload of the mental health service. The mean age was 35.7 years (SD 13.1). The most common mental disorder was depressive disorder (16/51, 31.4%). Of 51 patients, 25.5% (13/51) were diagnosed with BPD: 7 had other comorbid mental disorders. Patients diagnosed with BPD are significantly more likely to be prescribed psychopharmacotherapy (t = 2.834, p = 0.007). A diagnosis of BPD was significantly associated with history of self-harm after controlling for age and gender (OR 2.3, p = 0.005).This study shows that there is a significant overrepresentation of Travellers in mental health services, suggesting significant need for accessible and acceptable interventions. Those with a BPD diagnosis have a significantly higher risk of self-harm, representing an ultra-high-risk population. These findings can be used to plan future service development projects to better meet the needs of this population: they may require specially adapted version of the mentalisation-based treatment programme.

Introduction Lithium is a medication indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant depression, with a narrow therapeutic index. Overdose, either acute or chronic can result in neurological symptoms, requiring dialysis and admission to intensive care in some cases. Lithium toxicity is avoidable with careful monitoring. However, we have noted several recent cases of lithium toxicity in our local service and thus sought to investigate this issue in a more systematic manner.Aim We aimed to quantify the incidence of lithium toxicity in our local population over a single year and identify the patients most at risk. We also aimed to generate clinical recommendations on the prevention of lithium toxicity to improve patient safety.Method We identified the incidence of lithium toxicity in our local population, by searching the hospital pathology database for patients with serum lithium levels greater than 1.0 mmol/L. We examined the available clinical notes for these patients.Results We identified 74 serum lithium readings above 1.0 mmol/L measured in 44 individual patients. The highest recorded level was 3.2 mmol/L. Of these, 11 patients were aged 65years or older. Hospital admission was required in 14 cases. There were missing data of note: 29.5% had no renal function/eGFR measurement at time of toxicity and 52.3% without a baseline eGFR.Conclusion Lithium toxicity is common in our population. Given the narrow therapeutic index, this demonstrates the need for careful monitoring and prescribing, especially patients aged 65 and over. Grant supplied by Undergraduate Research Committee, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway. peer-reviewed 2020-01-10

Early-life stress is associated with an increased risk of developing affective disorders and chronic pain conditions. This study examined the effect of maternal deprivation (MD) on nociceptive responding prior to and following peripheral nerve injury (L5-L6 spinal nerve ligation [SNLD. Because neuroimmune signaling plays an important role in pain and affective disorders, associated alterations in glial and cytokine expression were assessed in key brain regions associated with emotional and nociceptive responding, the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. MD female, but not male, rats exhibited thermal hypoalgesia and mechanical allodynia compared with control (non-MD) counterparts. SNL resulted in mechanical and cold allodynia in MD and control rats of both sexes. However, MD females exhibited enhanced SNL-induced allodynic responding compared with non-MD counterparts. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) expression was reduced in the prefrontal cortex of MD-SNL males when compared with non-SNL counterparts. Glial fibrillary acidic protein and IL-1 beta expression in the hippocampus of MD-SNL males was increased compared with non-MD controls. MD-SNL females exhibited reduced tumor necrosis factor alpha in the prefrontal cortex with a concomitant increase in IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha expression in the hippocampus, compared with either MD or SNL alone. In conclusion, MD female, but not male, rats exhibit enhanced nociceptive responding following peripheral nerve injury, effects that may relate to the distinct neuroinflammatory profile observed in female versus male rats.Perspective: This study demonstrates that females rats exposed to early-life stress exhibit enhanced neuropathic pain responding, effects that are associated with alterations in neuroinflammatory mediators. Increased understanding of the interactions among early-life stress, gender, and pain may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of chronic pain disorders. (C) 2013 by the American Pain Society peer-reviewed