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Objective: This paper aims to provide an introductory resource for beginner peer reviewers in psychiatry and the broader biomedical science field. It will provide a concise overview of the peer review process, alongside some reviewing tips and tricks. Conclusion: The peer review process is a fundamental aspect of biomedical science publishing. The model of peer review offered varies between journals and usually relies on a pool of volunteers with differing levels of expertise and scope. The aim of peer review is to collaboratively leverage reviewers' collective knowledge with the objective of increasing the quality and merit of published works. The limitations, methodology and need for transparency in the peer review process are often poorly understood. Although imperfect, the peer review process provides some degree of scientific rigour by emphasising the need for an ethical, comprehensive and systematic approach to reviewing articles. Contributions from junior reviewers can add significant value to manuscripts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe the importance of scientifically rigorous journal clubs in psychiatric education, and to provide a framework to effectively run journal clubs and appraise articles in a journal club format. This paper explores the concept of journal clubs and describes issues with the current state of academic science. It then lists factors associated with effectiveness of journal clubs and outlines a structure for appraising articles relevant to psychiatric practice in a journal club format. Conclusions: Current models of academic research and publishing, which can reward practices vulnerable to multiple forms of bias, make the consistent and valued use of journal clubs in psychiatric education and continuing professional development more important than ever. The literature shows that journal clubs can provide a valuable forum for mental health clinicians to update themselves on recent medical and scientific knowledge, while practicing and teaching skills in critical appraisal of research, statistics, clinical decision-making and epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter responds to a previous analysis of the decision to retire the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) from the psychiatric training program. The authors argue that the previous analysis misunderstood their work and did not address their main points. They also criticize the lack of modeling and justification for the change in practice. The authors emphasize the importance of accurately assessing competence in psychiatric training and question the value of low-stakes examinations. They acknowledge that their analysis focused on statistical assessment and did not consider equity issues. [Extracted from the article]

The Australasian Psychiatry trainee article collection has been updated with new content relevant to psychiatry training in Australia and New Zealand. The collection includes articles on various topics such as workplace-based assessment, appraising articles, psychotherapy written case, formulation in psychiatry, supervision, and trainee welfare. The articles provide guidance and insights for trainees on these important aspects of their training. The collection continues to expand and serve as a valuable resource for those undertaking the RANZCP Fellowship program. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the importance of providing opportunities for early career psychiatrists, trainees, and medical students to participate in psychiatric research. It highlights the lack of research-related assessments and supervision in medical specialist colleges in Australia and New Zealand. The article emphasizes the potential for junior staff to make valuable contributions to research and highlights famous examples of medical students and junior doctors who have made significant discoveries. It also provides various avenues for junior doctors and early career psychiatrists to engage in research, such as case write-ups, quality improvement projects, and participation in larger research projects. The article concludes by emphasizing the benefits of fostering a research culture from early on in a doctor's training. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Online information resources function dually as important learning tools and sources of the latest evidence-based recommendations for junior medical officers (JMOs). However, little is currently known about how JMOs utilise this information when providing care for their patients. This study aimed to examine the usage and experience of online information resources amongst JMOs in South Australia to ascertain (i) the type of resources accessed, (ii) the frequency, (iii) the intended purpose, and (iv) the perceived reliability. Methods: A survey instrument using multiple choices, five-point Likert scales and free-text comments was developed and distributed through SurveyMonkey to South Australian JMOs between 1 May 2014 and 30 June 2014. Results: Of the 142 surveyed, 100 JMOs (70.4 %) used online information resources as their first approach over all other resources available. JMOs overwhelmingly (94.4 %, n = 134) used online information resources at least once per day, with the most frequent purpose for use being information regarding prescription medication (82.4 %, n = 117, reported 'very frequent' use). JMOs stated online resources were necessary to perform their work and, of the different types of information accessed, they rated peer-reviewed resources as the most reliable. Conclusions: JMOs strongly rely upon online clinical information in their everyday practice. Importantly, provision of these resources assists JMOs in their education and clinical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many ways, our journey as trainee editors mirrors that of other trainees starting their publication career. In time, this may translate to a more affirmative culture of publication amongst RANZCP trainees and the emergence of the new generation of clinician-scientists in psychiatry. [Extracted from the article]

Cover Art The untitled cover art is the work of an artist named NEG. Further exploring the fallout of the aborted November 2021 Audio-Visual Objective Structured Clinical Examination (AVOSCE), this episode of I The Thought Broadcast i considers the trainee perspective. The Thought Broadcast - An Interview with Skye Kinder: "No Taxation without Representation". [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the community health services provided to Aboriginial Australians through the creation of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS). Health care centers and facilities are supervised by indigenous peoples who endeavor to provide primary clinical care, community support and special needs programs and advocacy. These services are implemented based on understanding Aboriginal culture, promoting health education and delivering population-specific care.

A personal narrative is presented which explores the author's experience of taking a month-long medical elective course in Machame, Tanzania where AIDS is the biggest public health problem.

Objective: Older adults are identified to have reduced social cognitive performance compared to younger adults. However, few studies have examined age-associations throughout later life to determine whether these reductions continue with advancing age., Method: This study assesses cross-sectional associations of emotion perception, cognitive and affective theory of mind (ToM), and emotional empathy in a healthy sample of 157 adults aged 50-89 years ( M = 65.31, SD = 9.00, 68% female sex). Emotion perception, cognitive ToM, and affective ToM were measured using The Awareness of Social Inference Test Short Form (TASIT-S), while affective ToM was also measured using Reading the Mind in the Eyes Revised (RME-R). Emotional empathy was measured using the Empathy Quotient., Results: Multiple regression analyses, adjusting for multiple comparisons, revealed a moderate negative association between age and emotion perception for all emotions combined, as well as for sad and revolted expressions, but not happy, neutral, anxious, or angry expressions. Age had a negative, moderate association with first-order cognitive, second-order cognitive, and affective ToM measured using TASIT-S, but not RME-R. Age was not significantly associated with emotional empathy., Conclusions: This study contributes to the limited understanding of age-related associations of social cognitive performance throughout later life. This knowledge can inform future research examining the clinical utility of including social cognitive measures in neuropsychological screening and diagnostic tools for later-life neurological disorders.