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Objective: To provide psychiatrists with a guide to using the Internet.Conclusions: The key to using the Internet is to have the skills to keep the signal-to-noise ratio high. This requires knowledge and practice. The paper contains tips on searching and information about surfing skills, noticeboards, portals and email lists, and lists a range of very useful websites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this present paper is to highlight some of the issues faced by therapists and sign language interpreters when working with deaf patients. Conclusions: Key issues include linguistic, interpreting and role challenges, and potential threats to the therapeutic alliance. Recommendations are made in relation to preparation strategies and training for sign language interpreters and therapists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess rates of metabolic monitoring in patients prescribed antipsychotic medications in the psychiatric inpatient setting and the impact education can have regarding monitoring compliance.Method: Two identical audits were undertaken at a NSW mental health inpatient service before and after a campaign designed to educate mental health workers about the importance of metabolic monitoring. Results from both audits were compared for statistically significant improvements in monitoring rates.Results: Rates of monitoring plasma lipids increased from 21.7% to 78.8% (p < 0.01) and rates for plasma glucose increased from 20.8% to 73.7% (p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant changes in rates of monitoring body mass index (83.0% and 77.1%, respectively), waist circumference (36.8% and 43.2%, respectively) and blood pressure (99.1% and 100%, respectively).Conclusion: This study has shown that rates of metabolic monitoring in the inpatient setting can be improved with a relatively low-cost education intervention. While absolute rates remain low, outcomes suggest that it may be worthwhile trialling further modes of education and repeating this education in cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the training experiences of and determine capacity to train future Australian and New Zealand psychiatrists working in intellectual and developmental disability mental health.Methods: Australian and New Zealand psychiatrists with expertise or interest in intellectual and developmental disability mental health completed an online survey detailing their training pathway, support for subspecialty training and capacity to provide rotations in this area.Results: Psychiatrists (n=71) indicated the most common reasons they started practicing in intellectual and developmental disability mental health, and these included seeing people with intellectual or developmental disability in a service in which they worked, or personal experience with intellectual or developmental disability. Compared to those trained overseas, psychiatrists trained in Australia or New Zealand had lower ratings of the sufficiency of education received in intellectual and developmental disability mental health. Of the total respondents, 80% supported the development of subspecialty training. Augmentation of intellectual and developmental disability mental health content in the intermediate stage of training was also strongly supported. Participants identified 80 potential six-month training rotations in this area.Conclusions: Psychiatrists working in intellectual and developmental disability mental health strongly support enhancements to intellectual or developmental disability training, including the development of subspecialty training, and can identify potential training capacity if such subspecialty training was developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this paper is to report the experiences of the author during her Advanced Training Fellowship year in Indigenous mental health and consultation-liaison psychiatry through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatry. The description will include a discussion of how such a Fellowship may complement the key learning objectives of advanced training in psychiatry. Conclusions: A Fellowship in Indigenous mental health can offer a variety of experiences for the psychiatry trainee, including clinical work, research and teaching. The planning and collaboration with Aboriginal health organizations, key clinicians and Ethics committees provides a unique opportunity to learn invaluable communication and consultancy skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe a course for trainee psychiatrists, designed to encourage critical thinking within an interdisciplinary framework. Trainees’ responses to the course, and the implications of these for teaching, learning and clinical practice, are considered. Method: Trainees were interviewed, and their responses subjected to content analysis. Results: To some extent, the course appears to have met its objectives. However, some trainees found parts of the course content threatening, and reported negative perceptions of teaching staff and the process of critical appraisal. Conclusions: Challenging taken for granted beliefs in psychiatry is a fundamental skill, which should be fostered in trainee psychiatrists if the profession is to move forwards as an intellectual and clinical discipline. The lessons learned from the course we describe may be useful to others who wish to pursue integrated, interdisciplinary teaching methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe how mental health policy is developed and implemented.Methods: A review of the literature on public policy analysis and the experience of the author in the development and implementation of national mental health policy.Results: A five-step process of problem identification, policy development, political decision, policy implementation and evaluation provides a framework for understanding the policy cycle.Conclusion: An understanding of this process is essential for psychiatrists and other mental health professionals in order to influence the process and content of mental health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review the role of clinician leadership in the management of mental health services.Conclusions: The literature suggests that clinician leadership is increasingly regarded as an essential element in the effective introduction of innovation and improved quality of clinical care by those who manage mental health services. Psychiatrist leaders have a role to play in ensuring that service change and innovation is based on sound clinical values, is developed in partnership with clinicians and is understood and supported by psychiatrist colleagues. Clinician leaders require clear vision, commitment and courage. The support of their colleagues is essential if the psychiatric profession is to have influence on future development of mental health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Access to beds is a major problem in many psychiatric services and increased waiting times can lead to adverse health outcomes. While there has been a considerable amount of research evaluating bed management systems in public psychiatric services, the private sector has received little attention. This project aimed to determine the time to admission for patients referred to an acute private psychiatric hospital, and to identify factors contributing to time intervals between referral and admission. Method: All staff involved in the admission process engaged in an ongoing, interactive data collection process. Accurate data on waiting times for acute patients was obtained and fed back to credentialed admitting psychiatrists. Results: Determinants of admission were clarified. For urgent admissions, the longest time interval was between the patient being advised that a bed was available and actually presenting themselves at the hospital. Conclusion: The project was effective in clarifying admission flow in a private psychiatric hospital. Some strategies that might reduce time intervals between referral and admission are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]