Search

This study aimed to understand the experiences of bereaved family members in view of restrictive COVID guidelines using qualitative approach. 10 Hindu, Gujarati bereaved family members who lost their loved ones during the first wave were interviewed telephonically after a month of their loss. Findings were difficulty in proper communication during hospitalization, disrupted end-of-life and funeral rituals and accepting harsh realities related to the changes imposed by using content analysis. Most of the family members felt that there was a need of staying with the patients. Telephonic mode of communication was not sufficient for them and created doubts related to death. Most of them felt remorseful as they were not able to see or bring their loved one home during their last moments and felt deprived of the traditional rituals. Also, they had to deal with their grief by themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:To assess prevalence and pattern of movement disorders among patients taking antipsychotic medications. Methods:This cross-sectional, intensive monitoring (patient interview, case record form review and clinical examination) study was conducted in patients taking antipsychotic drugs irrespective of duration for the development of movement disorders. The psychiatrist used Modified Simpson-Angus Scale score (10-item scale), Barnes’ rating scale and Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale to diagnose parkinsonism, akathisia and tardive dyskinesia, respectively. We assessed movement disorders for the preventability and seriousness. Results:The overall prevalence of antipsychotic induced movement disorders was 5.67% (95% CI: 4.19–7.62). The prevalence of parkinsonism, akathisia and tardive dyskinesia was 5.10% (95% CI: 3.71–6.98), 0.85% (95% CI: 0.39–1.84) and 0.57% (95% CI: 0.22–1.45), respectively. There was a trend of high proportions of movement disorders in extreme of age group, female gender, patients treated with conventional antipsychotics, on poly therapy, patients of epilepsy with psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder. The movement disorder was lowest with quetiapine (2.02%). Conclusions:The higher use of atypical antipsychotics had reduced the occurrence of movement disorders in our setup. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background & Objective: To study the patterns of psychiatric referrals in a newly established tertiary care teaching Hospital has been important for understanding consultation liaison psychiatry and setting up better general hospital psychiatric units. The aim of the present study was to study referral characteristics' of patients of various departments to psychiatric unit at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methodology: All referrals made to psychiatry department over a period of one year were assessed by psychiatrist based on structured performa including demographic data, referring department, referral note, present complaints, past history of psychiatric illness, family history of psychiatric illness, mental status examination and DSM -IV-TR criteria to diagnose psychiatric illness and analyzed. Results: Out of 400 referred patients to psychiatry unit over a period of one year, majority were from Medicine department (62.75%). Substance use disorder (37.25%) was the most common diagnosis followed by depressive disorders (15.75%) and anxiety disorders (8.25%). 235 (58.75%) references were with statement like 'psychiatry reference' and no reason mentioned for that. Significantly higher proportions of OPD referrals (71.81%) were made with statement like 'psychiatry reference' and no reason mentioned for that as compared IPD referrals (41.62%). Significantly higher proportions of patients (66.75%) with past history of psychiatric illness were referred with statement like 'psychiatry reference' and no reason mentioned for that as compared to patients (52.81%) without past history of psychiatric illness. Conclusion: Study highlights importance of consultation-liaison psychiatry through referral pattern in a tertiary care teaching hospital. More referrals for Substance use disorders suggest emerging need to develop separate deaddiction services in our setting. Past history of psychiatric illness was considered significant factor for referrals from other departments and majority of references were without any details. There is need to sensitize other specialists, especially general physicians who are the common source of referrals regarding common psychiatric conditions and proper referral note to improve consultation liaison psychiatry in general hospital setup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]