Complicated grief knowledge, attitudes, skills, and training among mental health professionals: A qualitative exploration.

The knowledge, attitudes, skills, and training of professionals regarding complicated grief influence their practice. We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselor/psychotherapists; the preliminary findings were contextualized via interviews with three experts in complicated grief research/practice. Findings suggest that professionals did not substantially rely on research evidence, favoring instead personal and professional knowledge. They expressed concern regarding the possible pathologization of normal grief that might arise from having a diagnosis of complicated grief. Deficits in professional training were evident. A need for an improved culture of collaboration between researchers and practitioners was identified.

Childhood trauma and adult mental disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review evidence for the association between trauma experienced in childhood or adolescence, and the subsequent experience of affective or psychotic mental disorders in adulthood. METHODS: Electronic databases (Scopus, Medline (for Ovid), EMBASE and PsychINFO) were searched for peer-reviewed, longitudinal cohort studies in the English language examining child or adolescent exposure to trauma, and adult-diagnosed depression, anxiety, psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder. A total of 23 manuscripts were retained. RESULTS: Results revealed a significant association between the following childhood exposures and adult mental disorder: bullying (victimhood, perpetration and frequency); emotional abuse; physical neglect; parental loss; and general maltreatment (unspecified and/or multiple trauma exposure). There was some evidence of a dose-response relationship with those exposed to multiple forms of maltreatment having more than three times the odds of developing a mental disorder (Odds ratio = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.36-7.14). There was no significant association found between physical or sexual abuse and adult mental disorder; however, this is likely an artefact of how these adversities were assessed. CONCLUSION: There is strong evidence of an association between childhood trauma and later mental illness. This association is particularly evident for exposure to bullying, emotional abuse, maltreatment and parental loss. The evidence suggests that childhood and adolescence are an important time for risk for later mental illness, and an important period in which to focus intervention strategies.

A qualitative study of the needs of older adults with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Research indicates that adults with intellectual disabilities are living longer. However, there is limited research on how this affects health and care needs. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to examine the health and social care needs of older adults with intellectual disabilities in Ireland using multiple informants. METHODS: Data were gathered from a sample of 20 adults aged 50 years or older (Mean = 59.1, SD = 5.9, range = 50-72; 11 female). The sample included individuals with mild (n = 7), moderate (n = 10) and severe/profound (n = 3) intellectual disabilities. Additional data from keyworkers (n = 19) and family carers (n = 15) provided a more complete understanding of needs. RESULTS: Results revealed some areas of agreement and difference between adults with intellectual disability and their carers regarding the social care, employment, retirement, physical and mental health needs of this population. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study have potential implications for the provision of high-quality services for older adults with intellectual disabilities.

Risk of Psychosis Among Individuals Who Have Presented to Hospital With Self-harm: A Prospective Nationwide Register Study in Sweden.

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Recent research showed that young people who presented to hospital with self-harm in Finland had a significantly elevated risk of later psychosis. We investigated the prospective relationship between hospital presentation for self-harm and risk of psychosis in an unprecedentedly large national Swedish cohort. STUDY DESIGN: We used inpatient and outpatient healthcare registers to identify all individuals born between 1981 and 1993 who were alive and living in Sweden on their 12th birthday and who presented to hospital one or more times with self-harm. We compared them with a matched cohort, followed up for up to 20 years, and compared the cumulative incidence of psychotic disorders. Furthermore, we examined whether the strength of the relationship between hospital presentation for self-harm and later psychosis changed over time by examining for cohort effects. STUDY RESULTS: In total, 28 908 (2.0%) individuals presented to hospital with self-harm without prior psychosis diagnosis during the follow-up. For individuals who presented to hospital with self-harm, the cumulative incidence of diagnosed psychosis was 20.7% at 20 years follow-up (hazard radio = 13.9, 95% CI 13.3-14.6, P-value <5 × 10-308). There was no evidence of a dilution of the effect over time: while the incidence of hospital self-harm presentation increased, this did not result in an attenuation over time of the strength of the relationship between hospital self-harm presentation and subsequent psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who present to hospital with self-harm in their teens and 20s represent an important risk group for psychosis prediction and prevention.

Complicated grief knowledge and practice: a qualitative study of general practitioners in Ireland.

OBJECTIVE: Complicated grief is a debilitating condition that individuals may experience after losing a loved one. General practitioners (GPs) are well positioned to provide patients with support for grief-related issues. Traditionally, Irish GPs play an important role in providing patients with emotional support regarding bereavement. However, GPs have commonly reported not being aptly trained to respond to bereavement-related issues. This study explores GPs' current knowledge of and practice regarding complicated grief. METHODS: A qualitative study adopting a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of GPs on this issue. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a purposive sample of nine GPs (five men and four women) in Ireland. Potential participants were contacted via email and phone. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed using Braun & Clarke's () model of thematic analysis. RESULTS: GPs had limited awareness of the concept of complicated grief and were unfamiliar with relevant research. They also reported that their training was either non-existent or outdated. GPs formed their own knowledge of grief-related issues based on their intuition and experiences. For these reasons, there was not one agreed method of how to respond to grief-related issues reported by patients, though participants recognised the need for intervention, onward referral and review. CONCLUSIONS: The research highlighted that GPs felt they required training in complicated grief so that they would be better able to identify and respond to complicated grief.

The Subjective Impact and Timing of Adversity Scale: A Feasibility Study Using Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data.

This study assessed the feasibility of a multi-domain measure of the occurrence, impact, and timing of childhood/adolescent psychological adversity exposure, the Subjective Impact and Timing of Adversity Scale (SITA). Participants were from among those who had previously participated in two waves of data collection when aged approximately 14 and 21 years. Internal consistency estimates at both online and interview stages were acceptable for all SITA domains (with the exception of parental loss). SITA domain scores correlated meaningfully with scores on other scales and psychological measures, supporting convergent validity. Those with lifetime psychiatric diagnoses scored significantly higher on SITA domains than those not meeting diagnostic threshold. There was evidence of the importance of both the subjective impact and timing of adversity with regard to psychiatric diagnoses. The study demonstrates the viability of the SITA; however, further studies are required to substantiate these findings in larger samples.

How can we know what we don't know? An exploration of professionals' engagement with complicated grief.

OBJECTIVE: Research has shown that complicated grief has the potential to adversely affect bereaved individuals, and in this context, understanding how mental health professionals engage with it in practice is of relevance. Gaining an understanding of professionals' knowledge, attitudes, skills and training in relation to complicated grief could provide insights that will inform their training and professional development. The aim of this study was to consider professionals' engagement with complicated grief, as represented by self-reported knowledge, attitudes, skills and training. METHODS: The study used a three-phase mixed methods design (systematic review, qualitative interviews, and a quantitative survey) with empirical data being collected from psychologists, psychiatrists and counselor/psychotherapists. RESULTS: Analysis yielded 15 integrated findings across the three phases, which were grouped into two clusters: the first highlighted tension between professionals' reported confidence and competence and the second explored the parameters and contribution of research and training in this area. CONCLUSION: Professionals' perception of their competence to work with complicated grief seems overstated and research and professional practice are not aligned. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These findings are positioned to inform empirically supported training that addresses identified deficits in professionals' knowledge, attitudes and skills. It is important therefore that training is reflective of the needs of different professional groups.

Cross-sectional analysis of coding, patient characteristics, consultation frequency and pharmacological treatment of adults with severe mental disorders in Irish general practice.

BACKGROUND: General practitioners are the gatekeepers of Irish healthcare and they offer continuity of care to patients. Irish general practice is therefore considered appropriate for preventing, diagnosing and managing most mental health problems. AIMS: This study sought to establish the coding frequency, consultation frequency, patient characteristics and pharmacological treatment of patients with severe mental disorders (SMDs) in Irish general practice. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. A finder tool embedded in the practice software assisted general practitioners (GPs) coding adult patients with SMDs. Eleven practices uploaded anonymous data on 2,203 patients. Variables analysed included disease code, consultations, prescriptions, sex, patient status and age. RESULTS: Overall, 2.9% (n = 2,337) of patients had ever been coded with a SMD, 2.4% (n = 1,964) coded with depressive disorder ever and 0.26% (n = 209) and 0.3% (n = 233) with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, respectively. Overall, 68.0% (n = 1,336) of patients with depressive disorder were female, and 74.0% (n = 171) of patients with schizophrenia were public patients. The median consultation rate in the previous 3 years was highest for schizophrenia patients at 24.5 visits. CONCLUSIONS: Coding of SMDs in Irish general practice appears incomplete. Patients with SMDs have high consultation rates. Patients with depressive disorder are more likely to be female and public patients. This research suggests that the improvement of coding in Irish general practice is the first practical step required to detecting prevalence rates.

Associations of Intellectual Disability with Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Endotracheal Intubation at End of Life.

Background: Little is known about end-of-life intensive care provided to patients with intellectual disabilities (ID). Objectives: To identify differences in receipt of end-of-life cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and endotracheal intubation among adult patients with and without ID and examine whether do-not-resuscitate orders (DNRs) mediate associations between ID and CPR. Design: Exploratory matched cohort study using medical records of inpatient decedents treated between 2012 and 2018. Results: Patients with ID (n = 37) more frequently received CPR (37.8% vs. 21.6%) and intubation (78.4% vs. 47.8%) than patients without ID (n = 74). In multivariable models, ID was associated with receiving CPR (relative risk [RR] = 2.92, 95% confidence interval = 1.26-6.78, p = 0.012), but not intubation. Patients with ID less frequently had a DNR placed (67.6% vs. 91.9%), mediating associations between ID and CPR. Conclusions: In this pilot study, ID was associated with increased likelihood of receiving end-of-life CPR, likely due to lower utilization of DNRs among patients with ID. Further research is needed to confirm these results.

Predicting risk along the suicidality continuum: A longitudinal, nationally representative study of the Irish population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Little is known about the lifetime prevalence of different indicators of suicidality in the Irish general population; whether suicidality has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; and what factors associated with belonging to different points on a continuum of suicidality risk. METHODS: A nationally representative sample of Irish adults (N = 1,032) completed self-report measures in May 2020 and a follow-up in August 2020 (n = 715). RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence rates were 29.5% for suicidal ideation, 12.9% for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), and 11.2% for attempted suicide. There were no changes in past two-week rates of NSSI and attempted suicide during the pandemic. Correlations between the indicators of suicidality supported a progression from ideation to NSSI to attempted suicide. Suicidal ideation alone was associated with being male, unemployed, higher loneliness, and lower religiosity. NSSI (with no co-occurring attempted suicide) was associated with a history of mental health treatment. Attempted suicide was associated with ethnic minority status, lower education, lower income, PTSD, depression, and history of mental health treatment. CONCLUSION: Suicidal ideation, NSSI, and attempted suicide are relatively common phenomena in the general adult Irish population, and each has unique psychosocial correlates. These findings highlight important targets for prevention and intervention efforts.

Communication contexts about illness, death and dying for people with intellectual disabilities and life-limiting illness.

OBJECTIVE: The general population has been involved in considerable debate about communication and awareness within the context of death and dying. However, there has been little research on how matters of communication on this topic are handled for people with life-limiting illness and intellectual disabilities. This qualitative study explored how staff managed communication about death and dying with people with intellectual disabilities in a Health Service Executive area in Ireland. METHOD: Ninety-one individuals took part in 16 focus groups. Interviews were analysed using framework analysis. RESULTS: Participants infrequently discussed death and dying with people with intellectual disabilities. Participants operated most commonly in suspicious awareness environments with people with mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities, and closed awareness environments with people with severe intellectual disabilities. The majority of participants did not hold absolute opinions that talking about illness, death, and dying with people with intellectual disabilities was "wrong." Rather, they were concerned that their lack of skill and experience in the area would cause harm if they engaged in open conversations. Relatives had an influential role on the process of communication. Participants were strongly motivated to provide quality care and were willing to consider alternative approaches to communication if this would benefit people with intellectual disabilities. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Although there has been a shift toward conditional open awareness of death and dying in Western society, people with intellectual disabilities have not been afforded the same opportunity to engage in open discussion of their mortality. This study points to the urgent need to engage in debate about this issue in order to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities receive high quality palliative care toward the end of life.

Staff and family views of alternative respite services for adults with intellectual disabilities - aims, outcomes and experiences.

Background Respite care has traditionally been conceptualised as a short residential break which allows families a break from caring responsibilities. In recent years, alternative respite services have been developed which promote greater social integration and normalisation for people with intellectual and other disabilities. Specific aim: The present study sought to explore the views of service managers and families on the definitions, aims, outcomes and general experiences of these programmes among a sample of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) using a range of alternative respite services. Method Participants were managers of respite services for people with ID (n = 6) and family members (predominantly parents, n = 32) of adults receiving respite services from these organisations. All participants were provided with appropriate information on the study and gave consent. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore participants' perspectives on alternative respite provision for adults with ID. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, with multiple analysts involved to allow for reflection on the interpretation of data. Findings Managers and families showed diversity in the conceptualisations of respite services, with themes highlighting the importance of the break for both people with ID and families, as well as a clear focus on the needs of and developmental outcomes for the person with ID. As such respite was viewed as both a model of service and an outcome for families and individuals with ID. These differing views appeared to have implications for views on who was the target beneficiary of respite. Discussion The present study reflects alternative respite as a diverse experience for people with ID, their family members and the service providers supporting them. Nevertheless, views were generally positive. Further consideration of the nature of respite services beyond the traditional conceptualisation is warranted.

An exploration of the experience, confidence and attitudes of staff to the provision of palliative care to people with intellectual disabilities.

Research suggests that shortcomings exist in the provision of palliative care to people with intellectual disabilities. This mixed-methods study aimed to describe the experience, confidence and attitudes of staff to the provision of palliative care to people with intellectual disabilities. The sample was drawn from the population of one Health Service Executive area in Ireland. Staff from intellectual disability and palliative care services completed surveys and participated in focus group discussions. Three hundred and eighty-nine questionnaires were distributed and 16 focus groups were held. Fifty-nine per cent of palliative care staff and 67% of intellectual disability services staff had cared for someone with intellectual disability who had died but level of experience was low. Both palliative care and intellectual disability services staff lacked confidence in their ability to provide palliative care. Staff were challenged by perceived 'differences' and 'difficulties' in the provision of care. They endorsed a partnership approach to care but focus group discussions revealed that a shared desire to cooperate was insufficient to guarantee effective collaboration.

'Understanding Disability': Evaluating a contact-based approach to enhancing attitudes and disability literacy of medical students.

BACKGROUND: Health disparities and disparities in the provision of healthcare to people with disabilities remains a topic of concern. Research demonstrates that attitudes of healthcare providers contribute to this disparity. The approach to disability education and training in medical school warrants evaluation. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the efficacy of an educational intervention in cultivating positive attitudes towards disability in medical students, and determine the specific impact of an interaction-based hospital visit to patients undergoing neurological rehabilitation. METHODS: Web-based questionnaires were distributed to medical students undertaking a 12-week 'Understanding Disability' module. Measures of anxiety, attitude, competency and empathy were obtained from 65 students at the beginning (T1), middle (T2) and end (T3) of the module. At T2, approximately half of the students had completed a hospital visit and half had not. RESULTS: Scores changed significantly across all constructs between the beginning and end of the module suggesting a positive overall module effect. Findings confirmed a significant difference in anxiety and empathy levels between the group of students who had completed the visit to the rehabilitation hospital by the middle survey wave and those who had not, indicating a specific placement effect. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that interpersonal contact with individuals with disabilities has a distinct impact on the affective variables of anxiety and empathy. Previous research suggests that this contributes towards improved attitudes to disability. Overall, we provide strong evidence for the inclusion of contact-based educational interventions in medical school to enhance students' attitudes to disability.

Psychiatrists', psychologists' and counselors' attitudes regarding complicated grief.

BACKGROUND: Complicated grief encompasses various presentations where aspects of grief do not become integrated into the bereaved person's life. Professionals' attitudes to complicated grief may impact how they engage with bereaved patients/clients. The aim of this study was to empirically examine the attitudes of mental health professionals, specifically psychologists, psychiatrists and counselor/psychotherapists, regarding complicated grief and to investigate any between profession-differences. METHOD: Psychiatrists, counselor/psychotherapists and psychologists were recruited using publicly available databases managed by professional bodies. A total of 185 professionals (71.8% female), returned a questionnaire containing usable data (23.8% response rate). RESULTS: Over two-thirds of the professionals (68.5%) supported the inclusion of complicated grief in diagnostic manuals while only a quarter (25.1%) thought that recognition of complicated grief might lead to the pathologization of 'normal' grief. The majority of respondents (83.0%) thought that diagnosing complicated grief would increase the likelihood of clients accessing support and there was no significant difference between the groups. LIMITATIONS: Although the response rate compares favorably with other studies it is nonetheless somewhat lower than optimum, and it is possible that those who responded were more interested in bereavement and consequently, that the attitudes held by participants are different from those who did not participate. CONCLUSION: The attitude to a diagnosis of complicated grief was more positive than the specialist literature suggests, with the benefits of having a diagnosis of complicated grief outweighing the risks of pathologization.

Ondansetron and dexamethasone dose combinations for prophylaxis against postoperative nausea and vomiting.

BACKGROUND: Patients at high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting often receive more than one prophylactic antiemetic drug. In this study we sought to determine whether one or more of four dose combinations of dexamethasone and ondansetron was superior in efficacy. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind trial of four dose combinations, women having day-surgical gynecologic laparoscopy received IV dexamethasone and ondansetron 4 + 4 mg (Group D4/O4, n = 154), 4 + 2 mg (Group D4/O2, n = 151), 2 + 4 mg (Group D2/O4, n = 154), or 2 + 2 mg (Group D2/O2, n = 155). RESULTS: The groups were not significantly different for predicted risk or characteristics. The incidence of vomiting until discharge did not differ significantly (5%, 4%, 9% and 8% for Groups D4/O4, D4/O2, D2/O4 and D2/O2 respectively, P = 0.17), nor were there significant differences among groups in the incidence of vomiting until 24 h postoperatively, no nausea and no vomiting, antiemetic treatment, neither vomiting nor antiemetic treatment (80%-83% across groups), or inpatient satisfaction and recovery scores, or time to discharge. Average nausea scores were low in all groups, but the incidence of nausea until 24 h postoperatively was significantly higher among groups receiving only 2 mg of dexamethasone (P < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: All combinations were associated with a low incidence of vomiting and rescue treatment, with dexamethasone 2 mg plus ondansetron 2 mg not significantly different to other dose combinations except that groups receiving 2 mg dexamethasone had a more frequent incidence of nausea.

Complicated grief: Knowledge, attitudes, skills and training of mental health professionals: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review and qualitative synthesis was undertaken to deduce the knowledge, attitudes, skills and training of mental health professionals regarding complicated grief (CG). METHODS: PsychInfo, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, PBSC, Web of Science and ERIC databases were used to identify relevant literature. Searches were executed from inception to September 2014. RESULTS: The electronic search yielded 305 results. Forty-one papers were selected for full text review, 20 were included for analysis. 6 examined primary data, the remaining 14 being reviews, opinion or guideline pieces. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of consensus on terminology, criteria and diagnosis, it appears that there is more than sufficient agreement within the CG research community regarding the knowledge and skills required to assist someone presenting with CG. A palpable fear of medicalising grief exists, but this would seem to be based on a conflation of normal grief and CG. This review highlights the mainly unidirectional nature of current research, the voice of the practitioner being largely unheard. A need for and an interest in training in CG was expressed. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: There is an urgent need to translate research findings into clinical practice. Training must take account of attitudinal barriers to implementation, balancing evidence and stories.

A Systematic Review of Suicidality in People with Intellectual Disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Suicidality in people with intellectual disability has not been extensively researched. AIM: To identify the nature of the research that has actually been conducted on this topic. METHOD: A search of research databases was conducted according to predefined criteria. Key information was extracted and rated for methodological merit. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The aspects of suicidality investigated, which varied among studies, included suicidal attempts, behavior, ideation, and completed suicide. Thirteen studies highlighted risk factors for suicidality in this population. The most frequently noted risk factors were a concurrent mental health difficulty and the level of intellectual disability. Eight studies referred to people with intellectual disabilities' understanding of the concept of death or suicide. Various methodological issues were identified in the studies included. CONCLUSIONS: In what we believe to be first systematic review of suicidality in people with intellectual disabilities, it was apparent that well-designed, standardized research studies on the topic are scarce. There is consequently limited evidence to guide prevention and intervention strategies for suicidality in this population.

An audit of the Irish National Intellectual Disability Database.

This study describes a national data audit of the National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD). The NIDD is a national information system for intellectual disability (ID) for Ireland. The purpose of this audit was to assess the overall accuracy of information contained on the NIDD, as well as collecting qualitative information to support the improvement in the quality of data contained on the NIDD. A nationally representative sample was generated from the NIDD. Twenty-five auditors were recruited from senior staff within statutory and voluntary intellectual disability services and trained by the authors. They carried out 250 clinical interviews with individuals with ID, their families and/or paid carers, using structured questionnaires. The data collected were analysed using frequency analyses and compared with the existing NIDD data set to assess accuracy. Qualitative information was also collected. Overall, the results from the audit indicate that almost three quarters (72.2%) of all the data recorded on the NIDD are accurate, with 19.3% inaccurate, and 8.5% of the sought audit data not returned. The audit found that the NIDD significantly overestimated the need for enhanced residential care services. The study highlights the need for clinician and service user involvement in specialist service data collection, in order to both conduct valid research and to best plan for ID service development.

Self-reported needs among older persons with intellectual disabilities in an Irish community-based service.

Current research indicates that older persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) are a growing population with very specific needs. There are few existing studies that identify and characterise these needs. This study aimed to assess the health and social care needs of a group of older persons with ID in a community-based service in Ireland. The Camberwell Assessment of Need for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities-Short form (CANDID-S) was used to identify the health and social needs of 75 older persons with ID in a community-based service who were over the age of 50. The mean age of the sample was 57.6 years (SD=5.4, range 50-72) and 37.3% had mild ID, 46.7% had moderate ID and 16% had severe or profound ID. The most common 'unmet needs' reported were basic education and money budgeting (the ability to independently manage one's own finances). The top-rated 'met needs' were food and daytime activities. Participants with severe or profound ID reported significantly more 'unmet needs' than those with mild or moderate ID. The current study identified education and financial skills as unmet needs for older persons with ID, implying that continuing lifelong learning programmes might be a valuable and appropriate addition to service provision and retirement options. Further research should be carried out to inform a comprehensive evidence base of the health and social care needs of this group.