Subject(s)
Psychiatry/education , Psychotherapy/education , Psychotherapy/trends , Australia , Humans , New Zealand , United KingdomABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Primary Mental Health Teams (PMHTs) were established in Victoria in 2002 to integrate psychiatric services into primary care. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of patients referred to Eastern Health PMHT, the effectiveness of management plans and referrer satisfaction. METHOD: Retrospective case note review of referrals (116) made to the PMHT from January to August 2010 and analysis of returned satisfaction surveys (105) from referrers between January 2006 and August 2010. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 40 years with 55% being female. The commonest primary diagnosis was depression (41%). The majority of patients (59%) had multiple psychiatric diagnoses. The response time for telephonic consultation was 1.4 days and 13.2 days for an initial patient consultation. Psychotherapy was the most frequently recommended treatment (85%). Average treatment period was 6.8 weeks and the majority of patients (93%) were discharged back to the primary referrer. Referrers were satisfied with PMHT services and average improvement of patients on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales was 2.3. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that PMHTs have embedded psychiatric services within primary care settings, with high levels of referrer satisfaction and patient improvement.
Subject(s)
Health Personnel/psychology , Mental Disorders/psychology , Mental Health Services/organization & administration , Primary Health Care/organization & administration , Referral and Consultation , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Middle Aged , Personal Satisfaction , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to examine the representation of psychiatric themes within medical philately (stamps) over a recent seven-year period. METHOD: Examination of all stamps issued from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2009 worldwide took place using the World Association for the Development of Philately Numbering System (WNS) on the Universal Postal Union website. RESULTS: During the study period, 596 stamps with medical themes were issued around the world. Common psychiatric themes included: psychoactive substance use, recreational drug messages, 'anti-tobacco' and human emotions. Notable people, the World Psychiatry Congress and intellectual disability also featured prominently. CONCLUSIONS: Philately may have a role in anti-stigma campaigns within psychiatry. The highest number of medical stamps have psychiatric themes, yet this potential resource may not be currently utilised to maximal benefit. Philately is being adapted to the electronic age of communication.
Subject(s)
Philately/trends , Psychiatry/trends , Humans , Medicine in the ArtsSubject(s)
Education, Medical , Teaching , Clinical Competence , Humans , Physician's Role , Quality of Health CareABSTRACT
Health care systems are under intense scrutiny, and there is an increasing emphasis on patient safety and quality of care in general. Evidence continues to emerge demonstrating that health systems are performing at sub-optimal levels. The evidence includes the under-use, over-use and mis-use of health care services; new standards asking for respect, dignity, honesty and transparency; the corporatization of health; and the existing inequalities in power and health outcomes. Recommendations for improving health care often refer to increasing the level of collaboration and consultation. These strategies are unlikely to remedy the root causes of our ailing health systems if we accept the circumstantial evidence that suggests the system is rotten.