Humanization in mental health plans in Spain. / La humanización en los planes de salud mental en España.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health (MH) care has important challenges, especially in the field of humanization. Our objectives were to identify the humanization measures in MH plans of the Spanish autonomous communities (CCAA) and the priorities to be developed in this area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A large and multidisciplinary group of people involved in MH care participated in a consensus, according to a modified Delphi method, based on «design thinking¼, in three phases: (1) identification of humanization measures in MH plans of CCAA; (2) analysis of the implementation of these measures; and (3) identification of humanization priorities in MH. RESULTS: Fourteen of the 17 CCAA have current MH plans. They contained four types of humanization measures: (1) improvement of the quality of care; (2) promotion of user participation; (3) campaigns against stigma and discrimination; (4) caring for especially vulnerable people. Implementation of measures ranged from 6.3% (i.e.: specific budget) to 100%, with an average of 64.1%. We identified priority issues, operationalized in 5 proposals: (1) information campaigns; (2) multidisciplinary meeting forums; (3) platforms of support entities; (4) strategies on MH education; (5) humanization in study plans. CONCLUSIONS: Some MH plans include humanization among their objectives, but partially. The implementation of humanization proposals such as those identified in this study is essential to achieve a high-quality MH care.

Assessment of adherence to treatment with injectable extended-release antipsychotics within a pharmacotherapeutic follow-up program.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an injectable extended-release antipsychotic pharmacotherapeutic follow-up program and to assess  adherence among patients included in the program. METHOD: A coordinated program is described involving hospital and  primary care pharmacy, which included electronic prescription,  reviewing, and dispensing of injectable antipsychotic agents in mental  health and primary health care centers. Adherence to treatment was  assessed in a 1-month prospective observational cross-sectional study  which included all patients under treatment with injectable extended- release antipsychotics in a health area of more than 500,000  inhabitants. The variables collected were: medication administered,  frequency of administration, administration center, and whether or not  the patient attended the center. Patients were considered to have  adhered to treatment if they had attended their appointments within a  margin of ± 7 days. Results: A total of 919 patients and 1,073 appointments were included. Eleven mental health units and 40 primary health care centers participated in data collection. In 95.7 % (1,027) of cases, the  patients attended the appointment. No differences were found in  adherence between drugs or administration frequency. However,  differences were found between mental health units and primary health  care centers. Patient adherence was slightly higher in mental health units (97.6% vs 91.1%; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The high adherence rate shows that the described  followup program is effective. Further long-term studies are needed to  confirm this trend.

Objetivo: Describir un programa de seguimiento farmacoterapéutico de antipsicóticos inyectables de liberación prolongada y evaluar la  adherencia de los pacientes incluidos.Método: Se describe un programa de prescripción electrónica,  validación y dispensación de antipsicóticos a unidades de salud mental y  centros de salud, coordinado entre farmacia de hospital y de atención primaria. La adherencia al tratamiento se evaluó mediante un estudio  prospectivo, observacional y transversal de un mes realizado en un área  sanitaria a más de 500.000 habitantes, en el que se incluyeron  todos los pacientes en tratamiento con un antipsicótico inyectable de  liberación prolongada. Las variables recogidas fueron: medicamento  administrado, frecuencia de administración, centro de administración y  si el paciente acudía o no a la administración, considerando que acudía  si lo hacía en ± 7 días. Resultados: Se incluyeron un total de 919 pacientes y 1.073 consultas programadas. En la recogida de datos participaron 11  unidades de salud mental y 40 centros de salud. En un 95,7% (1.027)  de los casos, los pacientes acudieron a la administración del  antipsicótico inyectable de  liberación prolongada. No se encontraron  diferencias en la adherencia entre los medicamentos ni entre frecuencias  de administración, pero sí con respecto al centro donde se  administraba el medicamento (unidades de salud mental frente a  centros de salud), presentando una ligera mayor adherencia los  pacientes de las unidades de salud mental (97,6% frente al 91,1%; p <  0,001).Conclusiones: La elevada adherencia conseguida revela que el  programa de seguimiento descrito es efectivo. En el futuro son  necesarios estudios de mayor duración que confirmen esta tendencia.

Development and impact of computerised decision support systems for clinical management of depression: A systematic review.

One of the proposals for improving clinical practice is to introduce computerised decision support systems (CDSS) and integrate these with electronic medical records. Accordingly, this study sought to systematically review evidence on the effectiveness of CDSS in the management of depression. A search was performed in Medline, EMBASE and PsycInfo, in order to do this. The quality of quantitative studies was assessed using the SIGN method, and qualitative studies using the CASPe checklist. Seven studies were identified (3 randomised clinical trials, 3 non-randomised trials, and one qualitative study). The CDSS assessed incorporated content drawn from guidelines and other evidence-based products. In general, the CDSS had a positive impact on different aspects, such as the screening and diagnosis, treatment, improvement in depressive symptoms and quality of life, and referral of patients. The use of CDSS could thus serve to optimise care of depression in various scenarios by providing recommendations based on the best evidence available and facilitating decision-making in clinical practice.

The high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in psychiatric inpatients.

INTRODUCTION: The relation of the neuroendocrine system with the psychiatric disorders has been described by different authors throughout history. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presence of thyroid disfunction in psychiatric inpatients. METHODS: Observacional, descriptive, retrospective study of all the psychiatric inpatients in the UHP of Vigo during the year 2006, in which the presence of thyroid dysfunction is evaluated immediately when they are admitted. RESULTS: Prevalence of thyroide dysfunction is 7.5%, representing the hypothyroidism a 6.4%, and the hyperthyroidism a 1.1%. The presence of thyroid dysfunction calculated by sex was significantly superior (p=0.010) for the feminine sex (10.1%), that masculine sex (2.3%). No specific associations were found between psychiatric diagnosis, years of evolution, toxic consume or treatment and endocrine abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Given the high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in psychiatric inpatients obtained in our study we advised the screening of thyroid hormones to an under-population in which is feminine sex, people who present mood disorders,unipolar or bipolar disorder, especially in rapid cycling or mixed episodies; in refractay mood disease, in the psychotics patients and whom they are to treatment with psychiatric drugs, especially lithium.