Psychological Dimensions of Palliative Care Consultation: Approaches to Seriously Ill Patients at the End of Life.

Mental health clinicians often hear seriously ill patients ask the unanswerable: Why did this happen? What is the meaning of my suffering? In the inpatient setting, general medical ward, or oncology unit, patients are confronted with their mortality in new, urgent ways. Palliative medicine, or the specialized, comprehensive care of patients facing a life-limiting illness, occupies a unique and liminal space. Although often practiced by clinicians with non-mental health training backgrounds, there exists ample psychological content to be explored in the palliative care encounter. In this article, we present the case of a husband and international businessperson who experienced terminal complications from an advanced stage lung cancer. His illness was not responsive to multiple cancer-directed treatments, and he developed respiratory failure requiring high levels of supplemental oxygen support, from which he was unable to wean. Palliative care consultation was sought with the multiple objectives of ameliorating his severe death anxiety and persistent dyspnea as well as assisting in the clarification of his end-of-life wishes. Our goal with this case presentation and related discussion is to introduce the psychological aspects of palliative medicine to psychiatrists and psychotherapists.

Addressing distress management challenges: Recommendations from the consensus panel of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society and the Association of Oncology Social Work.

Distress management (DM) (screening and response) is an essential component of cancer care across the treatment trajectory. Effective DM has many benefits, including improving patients' quality of life; reducing distress, anxiety, and depression; contributing to medical cost offsets; and reducing emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Unfortunately, many distressed patients do not receive needed services. There are several multilevel barriers that represent key challenges to DM and affect its implementation. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used as an organizational structure to outline the barriers and facilitators to implementation of DM, including: 1) individual characteristics (individual patient characteristics with a focus on groups who may face unique barriers to distress screening and linkage to services), 2) intervention (unique aspects of DM intervention, including specific challenges in screening and psychosocial intervention, with recommendations for resolving these challenges), 3) processes for implementation of DM (modality and timing of screening, the challenge of triage for urgent needs, and incorporation of patient-reported outcomes and quality measures), 4) organization-inner setting (the context of the clinic, hospital, or health care system); and 5) organization-outer setting (including reimbursement strategies and health-care policy). Specific recommendations for evidence-based strategies and interventions for each of the domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research are also included to address barriers and challenges.

Mental healthcare and palliative care: barriers.

CONTEXT: Psychological symptoms are common among palliative care patients with advanced illness, and their effect on quality of life can be as significant as physical illness. The demand to address these issues in palliative care is evident, yet barriers exist to adequately meet patients' psychological needs. OBJECTIVES: This article provides an overview of mental health issues encountered in palliative care, highlights the ways psychologists and psychiatrists care for these issues, describes current approaches to mental health services in palliative care, and reviews barriers and facilitators to psychology and psychiatry services in palliative care, along with recommendations to overcome barriers. RESULTS: Patients in palliative care can present with specific mental health concerns that may exceed palliative care teams' available resources. Palliative care teams in the USA typically do not include psychologists or psychiatrists, but in palliative care teams where psychologists and psychiatrists are core members of the treatment team, patient well-being is improved. CONCLUSION: Psychologists and psychiatrists can help meet the complex mental health needs of palliative care patients, reduce demands on treatment teams to meet these needs and are interested in doing so; however, barriers to providing this care exist. The focus on integrated care teams, changing attitudes about mental health, and increasing interest and training opportunities for psychologists and psychiatrists to be involved in palliative care, may help facilitate the integration of psychology and psychiatry into palliative care teams.

Using Measurement-Based Care Data in Population Health Management.

Although screening can significantly improve the identification of youth with mental health needs in primary care, there is no evidence that screening improves outcomes. Measurement-based care using clinical mental health registries has been shown to improve screening outcomes in adult primary care populations and pediatric physical health needs; however, there is limited attention to pediatric mental health registries in primary care. This article describes clinical mental health registries, discusses the barriers to implementation with youth, and describes next steps in expanding the use of pediatric mental health registries in primary care.

How health care systems let our patients down: a systematic review into suicide deaths.

PURPOSE: To synthesize the literature in relation to findings of system errors through reviews of suicide deaths in the public mental health system. DATA SOURCES: A systematic narrative meta-synthesis using the PRISMA methodology was conducted. STUDY SELECTION: All English language articles published between 2000 and 2017 that reported on system errors identified through reviews of suicide deaths were included. Articles that reported on patient factors, contact with General Practitioners or individual cases were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: Results were extracted and summarized. An overarching coding framework was developed inductively. This coding framework was reapplied to the full data set. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: Fourteen peer reviewed publications were identified. Nine focussed on suicide deaths that occurred in hospital or psychiatric inpatient units. Five studies focussed on suicide deaths while being treated in the community. Vulnerabilities were identified throughout the patient's journey (i.e. point of entry, transitioning between teams, and point of exit with the service) and centred on information gathering (i.e. inadequate and incomplete risk assessments or lack of family involvement) and information flow (i.e. transitions between different teams). Beyond enhancing policy, guidelines, documentation and regular training for frontline staff there were very limited suggestions as to how systems can make it easier for staff to support their patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are currently limited studies that have investigated learnings and recommendations. Identifying critical vulnerabilities in systems and to be proactive about these could be one way to develop a highly reliable mental health care system.

Trauma nation: Exposure to traumatic events among South African university students.

The current study investigated exposure to past trauma among South African students at a historically disadvantaged institution (HDI). The student population at HDI's are typically from low-income communities that were marginalized by apartheid-era policies and few studies have focused on trauma exposure among this population group. Respondents (N=914) completed the Life Events Checklist and a demographic questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify gender differences in exposure. 97.6% of the sample reported trauma exposure. The most frequently experienced traumatic events were physical assault (69.3%) and transportation accidents (64.7%). While men were almost twice as likely to report exposure to physical assault (77.2% vs. 67%; ß=.53; odds ratio [OR]=1.70; p<.01) and assault with a weapon (59.7% vs. 44.3%; ß=.62; OR=1.86; p<.01), women were twice as likely to report unwanted or uncomfortable sexual experiences (32.3% vs. 19.4%; ß=-.69; OR=0.50; p<.01) and sexual assault (19.3% vs. 13.1%; ß=-.69; OR=0.50; p<.01). It is recommended that psycho-education on trauma be included in orientation programmes and mental health screening and early referrals for psychological services be implemented.

Responding to the mental health consequences of the 2015-2016 terrorist attacks in Tunisia, Paris and Brussels: implementation and treatment experiences in the United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVES: To explore whether the Screen and Treat Programme to support United Kingdom citizens potentially affected by terrorist attacks in Tunisia (2015), Paris (2015) and Brussels (2016) was effective in identifying and referring people to mental health services, to examine the programme's acceptability to users and to understand how agencies involved worked together. METHODS: Individuals offered screening by the programme (n = 529) were invited to participate in the study and were sent a questionnaire. Follow-up interviews were conducted with questionnaire respondents who consented and with employees of agencies involved in the programme's planning and delivery. Seventy-seven people affected by the attacks completed questionnaires, 35 of those were also interviewed, and 1 further person only participated in an interview. Eleven people from agencies organizing and delivering the programme and five clinician-managers were also interviewed. RESULTS: Most service users said the attacks had a major impact on their lives. Many reported anxiety, depression, difficulty going out or travelling, sleep problems, panic attacks, flashbacks and hyper-vigilance. A third had reduced their working hours and a similar proportion had taken sick leave. Two-thirds sought help from their General Practitioner (GP) before being contacted by the programme, but almost all thought their GP had not been helpful in dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or referring to appropriate care. Several people were prescribed psychotropic medication; only a few were referred to mental health professionals. Many participants used help offered by organizations external to National Health Service, with mixed experiences. Waiting times for treatment varied from no delay to a few months. Most interviewees thought the programme should have started sooner and provided more information about sources of support. Most users found treatment received via the programme helpful. Professionals involved in organizing and delivering the programme thought that bureaucratic delays in setting it up were key limitations on effectiveness. Clinician interviewees thought an outreach approach was needed to identify at-risk individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Users who took part in the programme were satisfied with their treatment, although many thought it should have been offered sooner. Funding and data sharing between agencies were the main barriers to timely contact with affected individuals. Self-referral, GP identification of PTSD and GP referral to appropriate care were regarded as ineffective, suggesting that people affected by similar future incidents should be supported better and assisted more promptly to access treatment.

Healthcare professionals' perception of mental health in primary care / Percepción de los profesionales de salud sobre salud mental en la Atención Básica / Percepção dos profissionais de saúde sobre saúde mental na atenção básica

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the mental health care provided in Primary Care from the perception of health professionals in the cities to the 5th Regional Health Center of the state of Paraná. Method: An exploratory qualitative research. Participants were 121 health professionals working in primary care in the 20 cities of 5th Regional Health Center of the state of Parana. Twenty-two focus groups were recorded, transcribed and analyzed by content analysis. Results: Five thematic categories emerged, of which two were analyzed in this study: actions that professionals consider to be mental health actions; mental health actions developed by Primary Care professionals. Final Considerations: Despite of the indications of inclusion of mental health actions in Primary Care, this relationship is still occasional and unplanned. Policies that foster this interaction from a psychosocial perspective are needed.

RESUMEN Objetivo: caracterizar las acciones en salud mental desarrolladas en la Atención Básica según la percepción de los profesionales de salud de los municipios pertenecientes a la 5ª Regional de Salud del estado de Paraná. Método: estudio exploratorio cualitativo. Participación de 121 profesionales de salud que trabajan en la atención básica de los 20 municipios que componen la 5ª Regional de Salud del estado de Paraná. Se realizaron 22 grupos focales, los cuales fueron grabados y transcritos, para posterior análisis de contenido. Resultados: se enumeraron cinco categorías temáticas, de las cuales dos son analizadas en este artículo: acciones que los profesionales consideran ser de salud mental; acciones de salud mental desarrolladas por los profesionales de atención básica. Consideraciones finales: a pesar de encontrar evidencias de la inserción de la salud mental en la atención básica, esta relación todavía es puntual y poco planificada. Son necesarias políticas que fomenten esta interfaz, desde la perspectiva psicosocial

RESUMO Objetivo: Caracterizar as ações em Saúde Mental desenvolvidas na Atenção Básica segundo a percepção dos profissionais de saúde dos municípios pertencentes à 5ª Regional de Saúde do estado do Paraná. Método: Estudo exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa. Participaram 121 profissionais de saúde atuantes na atenção básica dos 20 municípios que compõem a 5ª Regional de Saúde do estado do Paraná. Foram realizados 22 grupos focais, os quais foram gravados e transcritos, para posterior tratamento através da análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Foram elencadas cinco categorias temáticas, das quais duas são analisadas neste artigo: ações que os profissionais consideram ser de saúde mental e ações de saúde mental desenvolvidas pelos profissionais da Atenção Básica. Considerações Finais: Apesar dos indicativos da inclusão das ações de saúde mental na Atenção Básica, essa relação ainda é pontual e pouco planejada, sendo necessárias políticas que fomentem tal interface, na perspectiva psicossocial.

Multidisciplinary team actions of a Brazilian Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs / Acciones del equipo multiprofesional del Centro de Atención Psicosocial Alcohol y Drogas / Ações da equipe multiprofissional do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas

ABSTRACT Objective: to investigate the criteria used by health professionals to identify the phase of consumption of alcohol and drug users, and actions directed to their care. Method: a qualitative study developed with 14 professionals from a Brazilian Psychosocial Care Center for Alcohol and Drugs (Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas) based in the south of the country. Data were collected in June 2017 through semi-structured interviews and then submitted to thematic analysis. Results: the criteria used by the professionals were: periodicity of use; amount and type of drug used; repercussions of misuse; and place that the drug occupies in the person's life. The actions developed were orientation and referral to support groups, therapeutic workshops and individual care. Final considerations: the chronic nature of alcohol/drug use/dependence requires specific care in each phase, and objective criteria to identify and intervene in early phases, aiming at the prevention of chemical dependence.

RESUMEN Objetivo: investigar los criterios utilizados por los profesionales de la salud para identificar la fase del consumo en que se encuentran los usuarios de alcohol y drogas y las acciones que realizan para el cuidado de los mismos. Método: estudio cualitativo, desarrollado con 14 profesionales de un Centro de Atención Psicosocial Alcohol y Drogas, ubicado en el sur del país. Los datos fueron recolectados en junio/2017, a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas y sometidos al análisis temático. Resultados: los criterios utilizados por los profesionales fueron: periodicidad del uso; cantidad y tipo de droga ingerida; repercusiones del uso indebido; y lugar que la droga ocupa en la vida de la persona. Las acciones desarrolladas fueron orientación y encaminamiento para grupos de apoyo, talleres terapéuticos y atendimientos individuales. Consideraciones finales: la naturaleza crónica del uso/dependencia de alcohol y drogas requiere cuidados específicos en cada fase, y criterios objetivos para identificar e intervenir en las fases iniciales, buscando la prevención de la dependencia química.

RESUMO Objetivo: investigar os critérios utilizados pelos profissionais da saúde para identificar a fase do consumo em que se encontram os usuários de álcool e drogas, e as ações que realizam para o cuidado dos mesmos. Método: estudo qualitativo, desenvolvido com 14 profissionais de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas, localizado no sul do país. Os dados foram coletados em junho/2017, através de entrevistas semiestruturadas e submetidos à análise temática. Resultados: os critérios utilizados pelos profissionais foram: periodicidade do uso; quantidade e tipo de droga ingerida; repercussões do uso indevido; e lugar que a droga ocupa na vida da pessoa. As ações desenvolvidas foram orientação e encaminhamento para grupos de apoio, oficinas terapêuticas e atendimentos individuais. Considerações finais: a natureza crônica do uso/dependência de álcool e drogas requer cuidados específicos em cada fase, e critérios objetivos para identificar e intervir nas fases iniciais, visando à prevenção da dependência química.

Caregiver burden and stress in psychiatric hospital admission / A sobrecarga do cuidador e o estresse na admissão de um hospital psiquiátrico / La sobrecarga del cuidador y el estrés en la admisión de un hospital psiquiátrico

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the relation between sociodemographics factors, stress and burden of care of family caregivers of patients at a psychiatric hospital admission. Method: quantitative study, with a cross-sectional correlation design. A total of 112 family caregivers participated, older than 18, in a Brazilian psychiatric hospital. A sociodemographic questionnaire was used to collect data, the Zarit Burden Interview and LIPP Adult Stress Symptom Inventory. Results: burden of care in family caregivers at a psychiatric hospital admission was significantly associated with stress (p=0.000). The psychological symptoms of stress predicted severe burden. Most caregivers presented a moderate or severe burden, with 52.7% in the resistance phase of stress; 66.1% presented psychological symptoms. Conclusion: results show the alarming situation of caregivers of patients from a psychiatric hospital, evidencing their own vulnerability to illness. Indeed, the during admission in a psychiatric hospital, not only patients need care, but also their caregivers.

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a relação entre fatores sociodemográficos, estresse e sobrecarga de cuidado de cuidadores familiares na internação de pacientes em um hospital psiquiátrico. Método: estudo quantitativo, com desenho de correlação transversal. Um total de 112 cuidadores familiares participaram do estudo, maiores de 18 anos, em um hospital psiquiátrico brasileiro. Um questionário sociodemográfico, o Zarit Burden Interview e o LIPP Adult Stress Symptom Inventory foram usados para a coleta de dados. Resultados: a carga de cuidado dos familiares cuidadores em internação no hospital psiquiátrico foi significativamente associada ao estresse (p=0,000). Os sintomas psicológicos do estresse previam uma sobrecarega. A maioria dos cuidadores apresentava sobrecarga moderada ou grave, com 52,7% na fase de resistência ao estresse, e 66,1% apresentavam sintomas psicológicos. Conclusión: os resultados mostram a situação alarmante dos cuidadores de pacientes na admissão ao hospital psiquiátrico, evidenciando sua própria vulnerabilidade à doença. De fato, a internação em um hospital psiquiátrico não requer cuidados apenas para o paciente, mas também para os cuidadores familiares.

RESUMEN Objetivo: evaluar la relación entre los factores sociodemográficos, el estrés y la carga de atención de los cuidadores familiares en el ingreso de pacientes en un hospital psiquiátrico. Método: estudio cuantitativo, con diseño de correlación transversal. Participaron 112 cuidadores familiares, mayores de 18 años, en un hospital psiquiátrico brasileño. Para la recolección de datos se utilizó un cuestionario sociodemográfico, el Zarit Burden Interview y el LIPP Adult Stress Symptom Inventory. Resultados: la carga de atención de los cuidadores familiares en el ingreso al hospital psiquiátrico se asoció significativamente con el estrés (p=0,000). Los síntomas psicológicos del estrés predijeron una carga severa. La gran parte de los cuidadores presentaron una carga moderada o grave, con un 52,7% en la fase de resistencia del estrés, y el 66,1% presentó síntomas psicológicos. Conclusión: los resultados muestran la situación alarmante de los cuidadores de pacientes en el ingreso al hospital psiquiátrico, evidenciando su propia vulnerabilidad a la enfermedad. De hecho, el ingreso al hospital psiquiátrico no requiere cuidado solamente al paciente, sino también a los cuidadores familiares.

Las arrugas del arcoíris: Prolegómeno para un estudio teórico-metodológico sobre la importancia de la salud mental de los adultos mayores gais costarricenses / The wrinkles of the rainbow: Introduction of a theoretical-methodological study on the importance of the mental health of (Costa Rican) older gay men / As rugas do arco-íris: Introdução a um estudo teórico-metodológico sobre a importância da saúde mental de velhos gays costa-riquenhos

Vejez y homosexualidad son considerados temas tabú en nuestra sociedad. Ambos son significantes usualmente relacionados con la invisibilidad y el estigma. Así, el presente artículo indaga sobre los diferentes procesos referentes a la salud mental y psicológica de los adultos mayores homosexuales costarricenses, tomando en cuenta su doble estatus de minoría (edad y sexual). Este estudio introductorio pretende arrojar información pertinente sobre la importancia de la salud mental de esta cohorte mediante una serie de investigaciones realizadas al respecto.

Old age and homosexuality are considered taboo subjects in our society. Both are signifiers usually related to invisibility and stigma. Hence, this article looks into the different processes of mental health of Costa Rican gay older men, pondering their double minority status of age and sexuality. This introductory study intends to generate relevant information on the importance of the metal health of this cohort through a series of researches already carried out.

Velhice e homossexualidade são considerados temas-tabu em nossa sociedade. Ambos são significantes usualmenterelacionados àinvisibilidade e estigma. Assim, o presente artigo investigaos diferentes processos referentes à saúde mental e psicológica deidosos homossexuais costariquenhos, levando-seem consideração seu duplo status de minoria etária e sexual. Este estudo introdutório visa a apresentarinformações relevantes sobre a importância da saúde mental dessa coorte,por meio de uma série de estudos realizados a respeito.

Suffering and defense in work in a mental health care service / Sufrimientos y defensas en el trabajo en un servicio de salud mental / Sofrimentos e defesas no trabalho em um serviço de saúde mental

ABSTRACT Objective: to know the suffering and the strategies of defense of CAPS AD III workers, from the perspective of the Work Theater proposed by Dejours. Method: a descriptive qualitative research, of the case study type, with CAPS AD III workers, using as theoretical framework the Psychodynamics of Work. Results: CAPS AD III professionals identify that the suffering in the work arises from the frustration between the real and the prescribed one; by the hegemony of practices guided by the biomedical model; stigmatization and prejudice with users; and the limitations of the Health Care Network (Rede de Atenção à Saúde). As an individual defense strategy, the rationalization was defined, and as a collective strategy, the protection strategy. Final considerations: worker uses strategies of defenses to face suffering and give a new meaning to it, characterizing themselves as ways of apprehending, understanding and giving meaning and new looks to their work.

RESUMEN Objetivo: conocer el sufrimiento y las estrategias de defensa de los trabajadores que actúan en un CAPS AD III, bajo la perspectiva del Teatro del Trabajo propuesto por Dejours. Método: investigación cualitativa descriptiva, del tipo estudio de caso, con trabajadores del CAPS AD III, usando como referencial teórico la Psicodinámica del Trabajo. Resultados: los profesionales que actúan allí identifican que el sufrimiento en el trabajo surge por la frustración entre lo real y lo prescrito; por la hegemonía de las prácticas orientadas por el modelo biomédico; por la estigmatización y el prejuicio con los usuarios; y por las limitaciones de la RAS. Como estrategia de defensa individual se definió la racionalización, y como estrategia colectiva, la de protección. Consideraciones finales: el trabajador se utiliza de estrategias de defensa para enfrentar el sufrimiento y resignificarlo, caracterizándose como modos de aprehender, comprender y dar sentidos y nuevas miradas para su trabajo.

RESUMO Objetivo: conhecer o sofrimento e as estratégias de defesa dos trabalhadores que atuam em um CAPS AD III, sob a perspectiva do Teatro do Trabalho proposto por Dejours. Método: pesquisa qualitativa descritiva, do tipo estudo de caso, com trabalhadores do CAPS AD III, usando como referencial teórico a Psicodinâmica do Trabalho. Resultados: os profissionais que atuam no CAPS AD III identificam que o sofrimento no trabalho surge pela frustração entre o real e o prescrito; pela hegemonia das práticas orientadas pelo modelo biomédico; pela estigmatização e o preconceito com os usuários; e pelas limitações da Rede de Atenção à Saúde. Como estratégia de defesa individual, definiu-se a racionalização, e como estratégia coletiva, a de proteção. Considerações finais: o trabalhador utiliza estratégias de defesas para enfrentar o sofrimento e ressignificá-lo, caracterizando-se como modos de apreender, compreender e dar sentidos e novos olhares para o seu trabalho.

Utility of the "No Response" Option in Detecting Youth Suicide Risk in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We examine the characteristics of adolescents who select "no response" on a suicide screening instrument. METHODS: This study used a preexisting data set containing records of 3,388 patients aged 12 to 17 years who completed a suicide screen after presenting to the emergency department with nonpsychiatric complaints. Respondents who answered no response to at least one item without any yes responses were assigned to the no response group (n=58), whereas respondents who selected yes for any question (n=167) were assigned to the yes group. Researcher and mental health provider notes were analyzed to determine suicide risk level, presence of referral, and readiness to engage in treatment. RESULTS: Suicide risk and need for mental health referral were substantial for both groups. Clinically significant risk was identified for 84.5% of the no response group and 93.4% of the yes group, with documentation of suggested mental health referral present for 50.0% and 65.1%, respectively. Individuals in the no response group were more likely to be in 1 of the 2 earliest stages of readiness for treatment engagement (40.9% compared with 25.7% of adolescents in the yes group). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the relationship between a no response answer on a tablet-based screening instrument and risk for suicide as determined by a mental health provider. Although preliminary, this work indicates that youths who answer no response on suicide screening items are at elevated risk and may benefit from further evaluation or receipt of information on services. Further research is needed to better understand this population and their subsequent suicide risk.