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Background: Mental disorders are one of the leading causes of illness and disability worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders during their lifetime. Regular evaluation of mental health outcomes plays an important role in making decisions about timely treatment of the patient. Studies show that a medical record does not provide enough information about the diagnosis, current symptoms, psychiatric medications, and side effects of current medications and treatments for ongoing health care. In this study, the completeness of paper-based psychiatric records was investigated. Aim: The current study aimed to explore the completeness rate of paper-based psychiatric medical records (PMRs) and to investigate the factors effective on documentation status. Setting: The study was conducted in Ebnesina and Dr. Hejazi Psychiatric Hospital and Education Center. The case hospital is a psychiatric teaching hospital, which has 900 beds. Materials and Methods: The completeness rate of PMRs was determined using descriptive statistics. Fleiss' Kappa agreement and effective factors on PMRs' documentation status were assessed. Results: In total, 83.65% (n = 312) of the PMRs had at least one documentation defect. A significantly higher level of documentation completeness rate between different psychiatric wards was observed. Conclusion: Based on our results, it is suggested to conduct regular evaluation and provide feedback to the health-care providers, and conduct training courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to the advent of the Wasserman Test as a diagnostic tool for Syphilis, the identification rate for Syphilis at the Mysore Government Mental Hospital in Southern India was 1%. With the introduction of the test, there was a dramatic increase in the diagnosis of Syphilis, with 17% of the patients testing positive. This paper throws light on the early notions of Syphilis and GPI, societal responses to the disease, early misdiagnosis, the advent of the Wasserman test and treatment management as reflected in the records of the early 20th century at the Mysore Government Mental Hospital (currently known as NIMHANS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is underutilization of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics for first-episode schizophrenia (FES) despite having convenient dosing and treatment retention. LAIs are predominantly used for patients with poor compliance, chronic course, and multiple relapses. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two treatment naïve patients with the first episode of Schizophrenia (DSM-5) were assessed for baseline severity of psychopathology using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) and quality of life (QOL) using the WHOQOL-BREF scale. Patients were randomized to receive either oral haloperidol or LAI haloperidol for a period of 12 weeks. Results: Both the groups had a significant reduction in PANSS scores and improvement in QoL over 12 weeks period (P = 0.0001). The LAI group showed greater adherence and significantly better quality of life than the oral group (P = 0.023). The mean numbers of side effects were less in the LAI group at week 2 as compared to the oral group. Conclusion: LAI haloperidol is similar to oral haloperidol in patients with FES with respect to treatment response and offers benefits in form of a lesser number of side effects during early treatment, overall better adherence rates, and better QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about the clinical applications, purposes, and structure of formulation and summary during case presentation in academic psychiatry. Topics discussed include detailed presentations of all clinical information; psychodynamic formulation focuses on psychodynamic understanding of the problems of patients; and focuses on understanding of the patients problems from their cultural background.

The article discusess the effectivness of reserpine drug in neuropsychiatric care. Topics discussed include its use in treating insanity and psychiatric disorders; scientific advancement in Sarpagandha research; and an account of opportunities in psychopharmacology research in South Asia, and its impact on the public health.

Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS; Ranchi Indian Mental Hospital; Ranchi Manasik Aryogyashala) traces its origin from a lunatic asylum for Indian soldiers established at Munghyr in Bihar in 1795 and thus is the first mental hospital in India established by the British purely for Indian patients as well as the second oldest functioning mental hospital in India. The hospital made great strides in improving patients care and using modern methods of assessment and treatment as well as education and research during the tenure of Dr J E Dhunjibhoy the first Indian medical superintendent. As a result the mortality rate was the lowest among the mental hospitals in Indian. There was a shift from custodial care to curative treatment. Since 1930s psychiatric training was given to undergraduate medical students of Patna Medical College and subsequently from Darbhanga and Cuttack. The Institute was affiliated to Universities of London and Edinburgh for Diploma in Psychological Medicine in 1936. The thesis work of the first Indian MD (Psychiatry) was done at this institute. Subsequently many psychiatrists completed their MD (Psychiatry) under the guidance of Dr L.P. Verma at this institute. A number of staff and alumini of the institute held the post of President and office bearers of Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), starting with Dr J.E. Dhunjibhoy, the first president of the IPS. The Institute declined in the 1980s but after intervention of the Supreme Court it was transformed into an autonomous institute. Under the new dispensation the institution is regaining its vitality. Care and facilities for inpatients has greatly improved. Laboratory and imaging services have been updated. Modern facilities for eye and dental surgery are available. Attendance in outpatient department and especially in satellite clinics is increasing. Postgraduate training in psychiatry, clinical psychology, psychiatric social work and psychiatric nursing has started and research is once again a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organized delivery of mental health services in Goa had its origin during the Portuguese regime. From the inception of a mental asylum in the 1500s, mental health services have come a long way. In post liberation period, after 1961, under the guidance of a WHO Consultant, Dr. Govindaswamy, a new mental hospital was built at Panaji, Goa and it was named as the Abbe de Faria Institute. The Department of Psychiatry in Goa Medical College was established in 1968, and unlike in most parts of the country, where Psychiatry was a part of Medicine; here in Goa, it enjoyed an independent departmental status. With the merger of Department of Psychiatry with the mental hospital, an independent Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behavior emerged in 1980, a status it continues to retain till date. In 2016, the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behavior has been identified to become a "Centre of Excellence" by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual function and activity in old age have been inadequately studied world over. It is important to know that aging processes are not confined to persons beyond the age of 60 years; many changes in elderly have their antecedents in the middle age. Aims: This study sought to determine the patterns of sexual activity and function in individuals over 50 years of age. It also sought to discuss barriers such as chronic illness that may interfere with sexual function. Materials and Methods: We conducted a study of subjects above the age of 50 years in various outpatient departments (OPDs) of a teaching municipal hospital in Mumbai, by interviewing 60 individuals who attended the OPDs, after taking their informed consent. Socio-demographic and other information on their sexual function and activities were obtained. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences v15. Results: 72% individuals below 60 were sexually active, while only 57% above 60 were active. Others had become completely abstinent at some time in their lives. Statistical analysis revealed significant gender, health and educational status based differences in the sample. Conclusion: Our study showed significant presence of sexual desire, activity and function even after the age of 50 years; a decline by the age of 60 and above was a finding that reflected more in women. Chronic illness did affect sexual function and desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]