Recent Submissions

  • Narrowing the gap in differential attainment for psychiatry core trainees in East Midlands through mentorship scheme

    Seun-Fadipe, Champion T.; Oluwaranti, Oluwaseun; Yanson, Yanson (RCPsych International Congress 2024, 2024)
    Aims. The use of mentorship schemes may be a pragmatic approach to bridging the differential attainment gap for psychiatry trainees. There is robust evidence that mentorship improves outcomes for core trainees across several domains including exam pass rates, ARCP outcomes and clinical practice. A survey was developed to elicit core psychiatry trainees' perspective about the need for mentoring as well as their expectations. This was an initial survey done as part of a Quality Improvement project focused on mentoring scheme for psychiatry core trainees in the East Midlands region. Methods. A 16-item self-rated questionnaire was designed to elicit information relating to respondents' demographics, professional qualifications, UK experience prior to commencement of training, perception of mentorship as an unmet need as well as expected focus of potential mentoring relationship. These were administered to psychiatry core trainees in the East Midlands region. The data was collected in February 2023. Results. About a quarter of the core trainees (n = 21) participated in the survey. Majority (47.6%) of the respondents had Black or Black British ethnic origin and 11 (52.4%) were in their second year of training. Although 13 (61.9%) had a non-UK primary medical qualification, majority had some months of UK experience before commencement of training (median = 1.4 years). Twenty (95%) of the respondents identified mentoring as an unmet need and they highlighted the areas of need. Conclusion. This survey showed a high level of acceptance of the mentoring scheme among the trainees. Their expectations and suggestions helped further the design of the mentoring scheme which is currently ongoing.
  • Effective induction programme for higher specialist trainees : a quality improvement project

    Nisa, Zaib; Krishnan, Deepa B.; Junaid, Kehinde; Edwards Suarez, Lori; Lankappa, Sudheer (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2024)
    Aims. To create a safe and effective induction programme for Higher Specialist Trainees (HST) at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. An effective induction improves trainees' satisfaction, they feel welcomed and valued. It improves patient safety, retention, and recruitment (GMC Report 2020). Methods. Based on GMC report, published in 2020, a survey was developed locally and data for 2021 HST induction was collected using digital platform. Initial stakeholder analysis completed, and relevant parties were invited to share the results. Two key deliverables were identified after consultation, one was a dedicated induction programme for HST which was co-produced along with trainees and stakeholders. The other deliverable was updating the induction booklet. The proposed induction plan was implemented in August 2023, the survey was repeated to the new HST cohort following induction via digital platform. Results of the survey were analysed via mixed methods (qualitative & quantitative). Results. The surveys conducted in 2021 and 2023 were compared and there was an increase in response rate from 50% to 64%. The domains were devised from GMC standards and assessed by if staff had received everything in the domain within a week of starting their placement and results evaluated using a t-test. Domain A is gaining access to places and system (keys, fobs, security passes, computers, ID badges, mobile phones, IT system). This significantly improved from 27% to 88% with a p-value of < 0.001. Domain B is physical orientation of the setting (staff facilities such as lockers, parking, library, and site layout). This significantly improved from 45% to 88% with a p-value of < 0.018. Domain C is gaining day to day knowledge (HR, rota, annual leave, study leave, pay-roll, mandatory training, e-expenses, and guardian of safe working). There was no significant change between 9% and 19% with a p-value of < 0.48. Domain D is an understanding of expectations (duties and responsibility during working hours, on-call, team introduction). This significantly improved from 9% to 69% with a p-value of < 0.002. HSTs were given the chance to add comments and the responses in 2023 were more positive "excellent induction compared to previous years" compared with 2021 when HSTs felt isolated and devalued "worst ever induction in whole career in NHS". Conclusion. Overall, the results of the 2023 survey showed considerable improvement in all the key areas of induction within one week of starting the placement. Domain C demonstrates a challenge still and needs further work.
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych) Dean's grand rounds - an Innovative medical education tool to bridge the education-practice gap

    Krishnan, Deepa B. (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2024)
    Aims. RCPsych Dean's Grand Rounds focuses on understanding a problem or an opportunity for change in clinical practice using a patient story, academic evidence, and contextual data in this area to bridge the evidence-practice gap using a quality improvement approach. The Dean's Grand Rounds aims to embed the lived experience in clinical practice and use data to drive change. Methods. We held five virtual Dean's Grand Rounds with this format from June 2022 to January 2024. The sessions included a variety ofmedical professionals, carers and expert patients presenting on the chosen theme, followed by a panel discussion. The sessions were thenmade available for on-demand viewing via the RCPsych website for those unable to attend the live session. Qualitative and quantitative feedback helped us improve the sessions iteratively. Results. The sessionshave enabled discussion of broader issues facing staff and patients, facilitating the exchange of ideas between professionals from divisions of the RCPsych from around the world. Participants globally attended these sessions, with over 1,000 registrations for the Grand Rounds on memory clinics and catatonia. The feedback for the sessions was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants praising the involvement of patients and carers and the opportunity to come together at the RCPsych level for learning. Many were attracted to the sessions because of the themes discussed, with 68.5% having excellent overall experience.Over 92% of the feedback participants thought the Grand Rounds had improved their professional practice. The majority of the feedback participants strongly agreed that lived experience is an important element in understanding the evidence-practice gap (4.4 on a Likert scale of 1, strongly disagree; 5, strongly agree) and that the Grand Rounds had enhanced their understanding of academic evidence and contextual data in the area (4.4, 4.39 respectively on a Likert scale of 1, strongly disagree; 5, strongly agree). The themes that stood out in the feedback were that participants liked the Grand Rounds format and were grateful to hear from patients, with suggestions to allocate more time for questions and answers. Learning from the feedback, we set up a resources page for each Grand Rounds to enable further learning. Conclusion. In their revitalised format, these sessions are proving highly effective in bringing the worldwide RCPsych community together to improve patient care and deliver educational and informative interactive content available on demand.
  • Improvement of trainee engagement with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (Trent Division)

    Roberts, Kris; McPhail, Emma; Krishnan, Deepa B. (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2023)
    Aims. The 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. Methods. Using 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. Results. The 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." Conclusion. The 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.
  • The association of black psychiatrists (ABP-UK) and the RCPSYCH introduction to mentoring and coaching: Impact of a training program

    Oluwaranti, Oluwaseun (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2023)
    Aims. The study aimed to check impact (active mentoring and willingness to mentor) following a mentoring and coaching training event facilitated by RCPSYCH and ABP-UK. The program involved watching two pre-recorded videos and a full-day practical session on mentoring and coaching skills. Methods. The training was targeted at psychiatrists of black heritage, working in the UK. They were recruited through social media adverts and emails sent to members of the organization. A predesigned questionnaire assessing feedback about the program and mentoring activities was sent to the emails of attendees immediately after the program and a year later. Results. Forty-four participants attended the program; 32 completed the feedback immediately after the program, and 20 responded to the one-year follow-up. From the initial survey, majority of respondents (78%) rated the program as excellent, and most (78%) found it relevant to their professional needs. Slightly more than half of the group (53.1%) were involved in mentoring, but only a few (6%) were involved in mentoring activities within a structured organization. Ninety-seven percent felt confident to mentor immediately after the program while 84.4% expressed interest in joining a college division for mentoring. In the follow-up data with 20 respondents, 60% were involved in mentoring and 23% of respondents were new mentors. More respondents were engaged in college-related mentoring (41.7%) than in the previous year and majority (83.3%) expressed that the program had influenced their mentoring. Conclusion. Results from the follow-on survey shows that a good number of attendees at the training event had taken up mentoring roles at local, regional levels and at the College. We therefore recommend continued rollout of more targeted mentoring and coaching training programs, with consideration for cultural needs. This will boost the availability of diverse mentors within mentoring schemes available for doctors, ultimately improving quality of care to our diverse patients.
  • Quality improvement project on improving patient and family experience in psychiatric inpatient unit at Derby (Tissington House)

    Mudiyanselage, Irangani N.; Dickinson, Emma (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2023)
    Aims. Admission to a Psychiatric inpatient unit can be a stressful time for patients and families. Patient's and carers have advised staff on the ward that there is a lack of information available regarding the policies and procedures in the unit. This includes information on ward rounds, leave arrangements and discharge planning. The aim is to enhance the ward-based experience of patients and their families by attempting to explore areas to improved, particularly about providing information that will help them to understand the process of admission to an inpatient Psychiatric as well as what to expect throughout their admission and on discharge. Methods. A questionnaire was distributed to all the 'current' in-patients and their families. The questionnaire was kept anonymous to encourage everyone to contribute honestly. Data were collected from 20 patients admitted to the ward from 01.02.2022 to 30.04.2022. Data were analysed and shared with the rest of the team to identify gaps in provision of information. Results. Half of patients reported not receiving an introduction to the ward on admission and being unaware of the roles of different staff members. 70% of the patients and relatives were aware of the facilities of the ward and how to use them. There was a mixed response about satisfaction with running of Multidisciplinary Team Meetings(MDTs), availability of name nurse and medical team and information provision around MDTs, leave arrangement, discharge planning and follow up. Conclusion. This quality improvement project has highlighted inconsistencies in the quality of and satisfaction with information provision during admission and has helped to recognised areas that needed to be improved. Several steps have been taken to improve quality of care such as copies of care plan and "Welcome to Tissington" booklet have provided. Discharge pathways and name board displayed in reception. Ward round appointments given to patients in advance and named nurse to support patients in writing MDT meeting plan. Invite families to attend care plan reviews, ward rounds and discharge meeting in person/via online. Additional craft items made available for activity, and exercise and walking groups have been introduced. Additional time made available for carers to speak with ward staff. Recruitment of Psychologist and occupational therapists now in post and Carers meeting to commence. It is important to repeat this quality improvement project regularly to monitor the progress and get more information from families and patients to improve the quality of care given by the ward.
  • Strategies to improve recruitment in mental health clinical trials: A scoping review (RE-MIND study)

    Hall, Charlotte L.; Rennick-Egglestone, Stefan (2024)
    BACKGROUND: Lower-than-expected recruitment continues to be one of the major causes of trial delays, and trials to improve mental health are no exception. Indeed, recruitment challenges in trials of vulnerable populations, such as those living with mental health illness, can even be exacerbated. To address this, researchers are turning to digital and online recruitment strategies, e.g. web-based approaches and multi-media in order to (1) increase recruitment efficiency (recruit to target and on time) and (2) improve diversity in mental health clinical trials to be more inclusive and reduce health inequity. There is, however, inconclusive evidence on the success of digital and online recruitment strategies in mental health clinical trials. The RE-MIND study comprised a scoping review to assess the impact of using such recruitment strategies in mental health clinical trials to inform a more systematic scoping review. METHODS: A cohort of 191 recently published RCTs and randomised feasibility studies were identified from the NIHR Journals Library and top two mental health journals (based on citation metrics), Lancet Psychiatry and JAMA Psychiatry. Population characteristics including gender, ethnicity and age were summarised for inclusivity using descriptive statistics, and recruitment strategies were compared to examine differences in their success in recruiting to target. RESULTS: After screening, 97 articles were included for review. The review findings showed no evidence that offline or mixed strategies were superior for achieving recruitment targets in mental health trials. However, there was a suggestion that trials using a mixed recruitment strategy improved inclusivity and tended to recruit closer to the target. CONCLUSIONS: The key finding was that consideration should be given to a mixed methods approach to recruitment not only to enable wider and more diverse participation in mental health trials but also to realize greater efficiency.
  • Navigating the medical journey: Insights into medical students' psychological wellbeing, coping, and personality

    Hawsawi, Aisha Ali (2025)
    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In recent years, increased awareness of the psychological wellbeing of healthcare professionals and students has become a pressing public health issue affecting care delivery. Medical students undergo rigorous training programs that can affect their psychological wellbeing. Despite increased awareness of mental health issues among medical students, research often focuses on negative aspects, overlooking potential positive contributors to wellbeing. This study aims to explore both negative and positive factors influencing medical students' psychological wellbeing, considering coping strategies and personality traits to inform targeted support measures for diverse student needs. METHODS: A mixed-methods approach was employed to investigate medical students' psychological wellbeing, coping strategies, and personality traits. Quantitative data was gathered via self-report questionnaires and analysed using regression models. Additionally, qualitative insights were obtained from semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically to capture students' perceptions and experiences. RESULTS: The analysis revealed moderate to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among medical students, along with decreased life satisfaction. Regression analysis showed that problem-focused coping positively impacted medical students' psychological wellbeing, whereas emotion-focused and avoidance coping showed less favourable effects. Notably, problem-focused coping partially mediated the relationship between stress and depression. Furthermore, personality traits, particularly agreeableness and conscientiousness, played a pivotal role in shaping medical students' coping strategies and mental health outcomes. Based on thematic analysis, codes gave rise to three overarching themes and corresponding subthemes. CONCLUSIONS: The study underscores the significance of addressing both positive and negative factors impacting medical students' wellbeing and highlights the need for tailored support considering individual personality traits that influence coping strategies and mental health. It also identifies challenges within medical education, emphasising the necessity for stress management programs, mental health support, and curricula promoting problem-solving skills. Prioritising medical students' wellbeing may not only foster good mental health among future professionals but may also enhance future healthcare quality.
  • Applying critical discourse analysis to cross-cultural mental health recovery research

    Kotera, Yasuhiro; Takhi, Simran; McPhilbin, Merly; Ingall, Benji-Rose; Slade, Mike (2025)
    The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how critical discourse analysis (CDA) frameworks can be used in cross-cultural mental health recovery research. CDA is a qualitative approach that critically appraises how language contributes to producing and reinforcing social inequalities. CDA regards linguistic productions as reflecting, consciously or unconsciously, the narrators' understandings of, or attitudes about, phenomena. Mental health recovery research aims to identify and address power differentials, making CDA a potentially relevant approach. However, CDA frameworks have not been widely applied to mental health recovery research. We adapted established CDA frameworks to our cross-cultural mental health recovery study. The adapted methodology comprises (1) selecting discourses that indicate positive changes and (2) considering sociocultural practices informed by relevant cultural characteristics identified in our previous research, without placing value judgments. Our adapted framework can support cross-cultural mental health recovery research that uses CDA.
  • Bridging the gap: A qualitative study exploring the impact of the involvement of researchers with lived experience on a multisite randomised control trial in the national probation service in England and Wales

    McMurran, Mary (2025)
    INTRODUCTION: Methodological and ethical arguments support the involvement of individuals with lived experience in research to reduce engagement barriers and ensure those directly affected by studies contribute to knowledge generation. However, there is limited evidence on the impact of including researchers with lived experience of serving a prison or community sentence in clinical trials. This qualitative study aimed to explore the value of involving researchers with lived experience of the criminal justice system as data collectors in the Mentalization for Offending Adult Males (MOAM), a multisite RCT conducted in the National Probation Service in England and Wales. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 trial participants and 17 key stakeholders, either in person or via telephone. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. FINDINGS: Five themes emerged for trial participants and 11 for key stakeholders. For some, lived experience researchers helped overcome engagement barriers by fostering common ground with participants who were serving a prison or community sentence during recruitment. Participants reported that the involvement of lived experience researchers enhanced the study by facilitating knowledge transfer in certain instances. However, their inclusion did not eliminate all barriers and, for some participants, introduced new challenges to engagement. CONCLUSION: Forensic lived experience researchers bridged the gap by fostering trust between data collectors and participants. Future studies should ensure that lived experience researchers receive adequate clinical supervision to support their role. The adopted methodology challenged assumptions about knowledge generation and stereotypes associated with being an ex-offender, benefiting both lived experience and traditional researchers. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The study was developed in collaboration with User Voice (charity number: 1136047), who contributed to the study's design and conduct. The service user organisation co-designed the interview schedule and directed the protocol for participant payments, emphasising a consistent approach to avoid tokenism and ensure equal recognition of all contributions. The dissemination plan was developed in partnership with individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system.
  • Opportunities and challenges to delivering a trial for depressive symptoms in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Insights from the Alpha-Stim-D randomised controlled trial

    Patel, Shireen; Christopher Griffiths; Zafar, Azhar (2025)
    BACKGROUND: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are widely regarded as the most powerful research design for evidence-based practice. However, recruiting to RCTs can be challenging resulting in heightened costs and delays in research completion and implementation. Enabling successful recruitment is crucial in mental health research. Despite the increase in the use of remote recruitment strategies and digital health interventions, there is limited evidence on methods to improve recruitment to remotely delivered mental health trials. The paper outlines practical examples and recommendations on how to successfully recruit participants to remotely delivered mental health trials. METHODS: The Alpha Stim-D Trial was a multi-centre double-blind randomised controlled trial, for people aged 16 years upwards, addressing depressive symptoms in primary care. Despite a 6-month delay in beginning recruitment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial met the recruitment target within the timeframe and achieved high retention rates. Several strategies were implemented to improve recruitment; some of these were adapted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included adapting the original in-person recruitment strategies. Subsequently, systematic recruitment using postal invitations from criteria-specific search of the sites' electronic health records was added to opportunistic recruitment to increase referrals in response to sub-target recruitment whilst also reducing the burden on referring sites. Throughout the recruitment process, the research team collaborated with key stakeholders, such as primary care clinicians and the project's Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPI/E) representatives, who gave advice on recruitment strategies. Furthermore, the study researchers played a key role in communicating with participants and building rapport from study introduction to data collection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that trial processes can influence recruitment; therefore, consideration and a regular review of the recruitment figures and strategies is important. Recruitment of participants can be maximised by utilising remote approaches, which reduce the burden and amount of time required by referring sites and allow the research team to reach more participants whilst providing participants and researchers with more flexibility. Effectively communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders throughout the trial process, as well as building rapport with participants, may also improve recruitment rates.
  • The impact of life story work during peer worker training: Identity reconstruction, social connection, and recovery

    Slade, Mike (2025)
    OBJECTIVE: Personal recovery has become a guiding vision in mental health care, and peer workers play a key role in assisting individuals on their recovery journey. As a component of training to prepare for this role, peer workers need to engage with their own life story, in order to support recovery in both them and in the service users they will assist. The purpose of the present study was to explore the impact of life story work on peer workers. METHOD: Fifteen individuals training to be peer workers were interviewed to explore the impact of telling and listening to life stories. Reflexive thematic analysis involving two analysts was conducted. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: (a) life story work as identity reconstruction, (b) social connection through life story sharing, and (c) negative impacts of engaging with life stories in peer worker training. Each theme was connected to a number of subthemes. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Life story work can both facilitate personal recovery in peer workers during their training and aid them in utilizing their stories in their future peer worker roles. Training needs to prepare peer workers to deal with the future role-related challenges of life story work. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).
  • Healthcare Professionals' experience with the implementation of a recovery-oriented approach across in-patient units and assertive community treatment

    Watson, Emma (2025)
    INTRODUCTION: Recovery-oriented approaches in mental health emphasize personal growth, agency, and meaningful community integration. While endorsed by policies and reforms, the practical implementation of such approaches remains challenging, particularly in settings like Denmark, where structural fragmentation, professional hierarchies, and resource constraints may limit the adoption of holistic recovery principles. METHODS: This qualitative study employed focus group interviews with 21 health professionals from inpatient units and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in Danish mental health services. Using inductive content analysis, we examined participants' perceptions, understandings, and experiences in implementing personal recovery-oriented practices. RESULTS: Four categories emerged: (1) "Creating New Control in Recovery" highlighted the importance of personal agency and collaborative care involving patients, families, and community stakeholders; (2) "Recovery-Oriented Practice within Professional Parameters" underscored efforts to balance patient preferences with clinical responsibilities; (3) "Barriers to Implementing Recovery-Oriented Practice" revealed systemic constraints, resource limitations, and emotional strain on staff; and (4) "Advocating for a Paradigm Shift towards Recovery-Oriented Approaches" emphasized the desire for interprofessional collaboration, the inclusion of peer workers, and structural reforms. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that while Danish health professionals recognize the value of personal recovery-oriented care, their capacity to realize this approach is constrained by organizational structures, professional hierarchies, and limited resources. Strengthening systemic support, enhancing interprofessional collaboration, and integrating peer expertise are critical to fostering more equitable, person-centered mental health services. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of recovery-oriented implementation in European contexts and may inform strategies that better support professionals and service users in achieving sustained, meaningful recovery.
  • Rapid review of facilitating reflective practice groups with staff in adult inpatient mental health settings

    Galway, Róisín; Wilkinson, Dawn; Beryl, Rachel; Mackay, Kirstie-Louise; Gaynor, Billie; Siddall, Yasmin; Beason, Simone; White, James P. (2024)
    Reflective practice is poorly defined and often lacks distinction from other practices, such as clinical supervision. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) faces unparalleled challenges within the context of chronic underfunding, high staff attrition, and the recent global pandemic. Frontline staff are desperately trying to meet the demands of their roles and services are struggling to prioritise their professional development and wellbeing, further exacerbating these problems. This rapid review of the evidence sought to identify barriers and facilitators of Reflective Practice Groups (RPGs) within adult inpatient mental health services, using three databases. Two-hundred and one unique references were retrieved, yielding eight papers meeting the inclusion criteria. Barriers to facilitating RPGs included: practicalities; individual and team expectations; needs and competencies of facilitators; and organisational issues. Studies suggested solutions including facilitating RPGs off-ward to reduce disruptions and protect the space; increasing psychological safety by incorporating clear guidelines and expectations for attendees; and organisational support. The review highlighted universal challenges faced by healthcare professionals and organisations in facilitating and accessing RPGs. The review illustrates the paucity of research in this area, which may be due to nebulous definition and inconsistencies between different organisations. Implications for practice are discussed.
  • Improvement of trainee engagement with the Royal College of Psychiatrists (Trent Division)

    Kris, Roberts; McPhail, Emma; Krishnan, Deepa B. (2023)
    Aims. The 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. Methods. Using 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. Results. The 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." Conclusion. The 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.
  • Mental Health Nursing Skills

    Butler, Debbie (Oxford University Press, 2024)
    No abstract available
  • Behavioural activation

    Filip, Maria (Oxford University Press, 2024)
    No abstract available
  • Caring: The essence of mental health nursing

    Stickley, Theodore (Oxford University Press, 2024)
    No abstract available
  • Perspectives of healthcare professionals on cross-sectoral collaboration between mental health centers and municipalities: A qualitative study

    Watson, Emma (2024)
    AIMS: This paper aims to explore the intricacies of cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care, focusing on the perspectives of health professionals across various disciplines. It seeks to understand how collaboration can enhance service delivery and patient outcomes while identifying existing challenges. BACKGROUND: The evolving healthcare landscape emphasizes the importance of integrating services across sectors, particularly in mental health care, to improve continuity and efficiency of care. DESIGN: The study utilizes qualitative methods to investigate health professionals' experiences with cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health services. METHODS: Purposive sampling was used to select 21 health professionals for focus group discussions held at a mental health center in Region Zealand, Denmark. Data was collected through these discussions, and content analysis was performed to extract key themes. The data collection took place in 2022. RESULTS/FINDINGS: Health professionals recognized the potential benefits of cross-sectoral collaboration, such as enhanced service delivery and improved patient outcomes. However, significant barriers were identified, including bureaucratic obstacles, communication gaps, and insufficient organizational support. CONCLUSION: Cross-sectoral collaboration in mental health care offers significant advantages, but challenges must be addressed to fully realize its potential. Efforts should focus on policy reforms, organizational support, and fostering interdisciplinary communication to improve care delivery.
  • Outcomes from attachment-based group interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents: A systematic review

    David, Ranjitha; Majumder, Pallab (2024)
    Existing research has shown that group work focused on attachment theory may help carers increase their understanding about the needs of children in care and improve skills in managing difficult behaviours. Despite the potential benefits of attachment-based group interventions, there is a lack of adequate evidence to demonstrate their efficacy among carers and children in care. This systematic review aimed to study the carer and child outcomes from attachment-based group interventions for foster carers and adoptive parents. We included published studies in English that looked at carer and/or child outcomes following attachment-based group interventions for carers fostering or having adopted a child less than 18 years of age. An initial search of relevant databases was completed in June 2021, which was followed up by an updated search in November 2023 and two citation searches, one in June 2022 and another in December 2023. Duplicates were screened and following a review of 91 full texts, 28 articles were included. Qualitative and quantitative outcomes were analysed. Following intervention, there was a general trend of improvements in carer understanding, enhanced skills, better carer responsiveness and more satisfied carer–child relationships. Although there seems to be a perceived benefit from carers, no consistent pattern of change was noted in child psychopathology or challenging behaviours.

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