Reading the self-other drama of the clinical encounter: The role of literary reading and writing as a challenge for psychiatrists.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to suggest ways in which literary practices such as reading of fiction and creative writing may be beneficial for psychiatrists in their clinical practice. METHODS: Concepts from literary theory, phenomenology, and psychodynamic thinking will be used to move the therapeutic thinking of the medical paradigm beyond the dichotomic body-mind model. The ability to listen and respond to subjective and intersubjective processes, and the understanding of the dynamics and structure of the verbalized qualia will be emphasized. We will draw on our personal experiences from a pilot project applying literary techniques for psychiatrists and psychologists to improve their clinical practice. RESULTS: In our analysis, we suggest a framing of the clinical encounter as a hermeneutic situation with a gradually growing scenic and poetic understanding of the texts enunciated in the therapeutic actions and of the texts being produced by the patient's mind. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This theoretical study suggests two ways in which literary practices and concepts are highly valuable for the clinical practice of psychologists and psychiatrists. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Collaborative assessment and management of suicidality method shows effect.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies confirm the effect of collaborative assessment and management of suicidality (CAMS) in an experimental setup, but there is a need to test CAMS with regard to its effectiveness and feasibility in a real-life clinical context. The purpose of this study was to investigate CAMS in a Danish population in such a context. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present descriptive study, CAMS treatment was administered to a total of 42 patients referred during 1 August 2008 to 30 September 2009 to The Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention due to suicidal thoughts or a suicide attempt. Qualitative and quantitative data were obtained before and after CAMS treatment. Five major suicidal markers were regularly assessed. The patients' experiences of the importance of the treatment were studied as endpoints. RESULTS: A total of 81% of the patients completed treatment and 68% hereof completed the final evaluation. 74% from this group judged the sessions to be the main factor in the elimination of their suicidality. A significant decrease was observed in the five suicidal markers recorded for the 42 patients included. One patient attempted suicide and another patient committed suicide. CONCLUSION: CAMS was assessed to be effective and useful in a real-life clinical context. Further studies in larger patient populations are needed as are studies to determine whether the CAMS method may be applied with equal effect to all patient groups. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Danish Data Protection Agency.