Family history of obesity and the influence on physical activity and dietary adherence after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: The causes of obesity are multifactorial, with genetic, environmental, behavioural and societal contributions. These factors also affect adherence to diet and exercise after bariatric surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in perceived obesity-related stigma, exercise and dietary adherence perioperatively as well as what demographic factors most influence the magnitude of these changes. METHODS: Validated questionnaires regarding perception of stigma and adherence to diet and exercise regimens were administered to 104 bariatric surgery patients preoperatively and postoperatively at three, six and 12 months. Scoring was compared for improvement, and concomitant factors were analysed for effect on magnitude of improvement. RESULTS: Our study found overall improvement in perception of stigma as well as adherence to diet and exercise regimens. Those with a family history of obesity had less robust improvement compared to those without a family history of obesity. Those who were Caucasian also did not have as robust of an improvement in their scores. CONCLUSIONS: Patient perception of obesity-related stigma and adherence to diet and exercise regimens improve after bariatric surgery. However, a patient with a family history of obesity and/or a Caucasian ethnicity may have a less robust improvement in these facets.

Stigma in Mental Health at the Macro and Micro Levels: Implications for Mental Health Consumers and Professionals.

Despite increasing mental health promotion and advocacy, stigma persists and poses a significant threat to the healthy functioning at the macro and micro-sociological levels. Stigma is gradually evolving with the incorporation of broader social contexts at the micro and macro levels in which individuals, institutions and larger cultural constructs shape and influence the perception of what is different and therefore stigmatized. This theoretical paper based on literature underscores how mental health stigma discourages individuals from getting proper mental health treatment. The interface of mental illness, stigma, and mental health treatment has ethical and potentially moral implications.

Involuntary Processes: Knowledge Base of Health Care Professionals in a Tertiary Medical Center in Upstate South Carolina.

The involuntary hospitalization law provides a means by which love ones, caregivers and healthcare professionals can intervene when a mentally ill patient is a danger to self or others. Our study assessed the knowledge of professionals in one of the Greenville Health System (GHS) emergency department (ED) about the involuntary hospitalization process of mental health patients in South Carolina (SC). An eight item survey on the South Carolina involuntary hospitalization and commitment process was developed and distributed to GHS ED staff including: physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers and technicians. Our findings indicated that the knowledge base is not consistent across healthcare discipline, nor is it sufficient given that most professionals achieved less than 50% correct response. This study has implications for ongoing education for ED healthcare workers which will be of significant importance to promote beneficence and to uphold the standards of patientcentered practice and compassionate medicine.

Mental Health Visits: Examining Socio-demographic and Diagnosis Trends in the Emergency Department by the Pediatric Population.

The emergency department (ED) is increasingly being used for mental health visits by children and adolescents. It is estimated that 21-23% of youth have a diagnosable psychiatric or substance use disorder. Using data from the ED of a tertiary medical center, we examined trends in mental health diagnoses over a 5-year period. In school age children the most prevalent diagnoses were anxiety disorders (28.4%); disorders first usually diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence (26.5%), and mood disorders (18.6%). High school students were more likely to visit the ED for anxiety disorders (30%). Females (34.5%) presented more for anxiety disorders compared to males (22.7%). Mental health visits and diagnoses were higher during school months (September-May) and lower in the summer months (June-August). The diagnosis trends identified in this study have clinical implications that can contribute to evidence-based restructuring of mental health resources and screenings.

The Impact of Mental Health Services in a Pediatric Emergency Department: The Implications of Having Trained Psychiatric Professionals.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed improvement in the emergency department (ED) length of stay and costs after implementation of an ED program which added board-certified psychiatrists and trained psychiatric social workers to the pediatric ED. METHODS: A retrospective medical record and administrative data review were conducted for all pediatric psychiatric visits of children aged 5 to 18 years who were seen and discharged from the Greenville Memorial Hospital ED between January 1, 2007, and June 31, 2013. These subjects were diagnosed by the ED physician at the time of the visit using codes ranging from 290.0 to 319.0 based on the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Ninth Revision codes. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of children in the postprogram period (14.3 ± 3.1) was younger than during the preprogram period (14.9 ± 3.1) (P < 0.001) with the greatest increase in the 11- to 15-year age group (42% vs 35%, respectively). Patients in the postprogram period were significantly more likely to be discharged to a psychiatric hospital than during the pre-program period (18% vs 9%, respectively). After the initiation of the program, ED length of stay decreased significantly from 14.7 to 12.1 hours (P < 0.001) and costs per visit decreased slightly from US $602 to US $588 (this difference was not statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS: Although this model of care has significant costs associated with it, the efficiency of care for psychiatric pediatric patients in the ED improved after targeted training of ED staff and provision of these specialized services within the ED.