Utilisation patterns of helpline and Web chat services among gamblers in Singapore.

We evaluated the utilisation of a helpline and Web chat system by the public for gambling-related services in Singapore over a period of 12 months. The profile of callers, call characteristics and actions taken were descriptively analysed using aggregate data. The majority of helpline calls and Web chats were from gamblers aged 40-49 years (23.3%, n = 644). Gamblers made 85.4% (n = 8,010) of the calls to the helpline and 73.3% (n = 546) of the Web chats. About four-fifths of the gamblers were Chinese (79.5%, n = 6,381) and employed full time (79.9%, n = 4,125). Table games (67.6%, n = 2,605) were the most popular gambling activity reported by callers, 55.8% of which involved local casinos. Enquiries were mostly casino related (92.4%, n = 5,739). Approximately 1,827 calls were received per month during the study period and 185 referrals were made to the clinic, 80.5% of whom sought treatment.

Clinical and Functional Outcomes in Young Adult Males With ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical and functional outcomes in military men with ADHD. METHOD: Clinical outcomes were measured via the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (Zung SDS) and the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (Zung SAS). Functional outcomes were measured using the "Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble" (CRAFFT) questionnaire and questionnaires about relationships, conduct problems, substance use, and sleep. RESULTS: Men with ADHD ( n = 52) reported more depressive (34 [67.3%] vs. 19 [38%], p = .008) and anxiety symptoms (31 [61.5%] vs. 14 [28%], p = .009) compared with those without ( n = 50). They had relationships lasting less than 1 year (24 [80%] vs. 9 [37.5%], p = .006), were more likely to smoke (17 [32.7%] vs. 5 [10%], p = .005), were most likely to use illicit substances (6 [11.5%] vs. 0 [0%], p < .001), had more conduct problems at school (27 [51.9%] vs. 5 [10%], p < .001), and had longer sleep latency (53.96 min ± 46.48 vs. 25.78 min ± 25.93, p = .006). CONCLUSION: Military men with ADHD are significantly associated with worse clinical and functional outcomes. They should be screened and monitored for depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and substance use.

Application of low-cost methodologies for mobile phone app development.

BACKGROUND: The usage of mobile phones and mobile phone apps in the recent decade has indeed become more prevalent. Previous research has highlighted a method of using just the Internet browser and a text editor to create an app, but this does not eliminate the challenges faced by clinicians. More recently, two methodologies of app development have been shared, but there has not been any disclosures pertaining to the costs involved. In addition, limitations such as the distribution and dissemination of the apps have not been addressed. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this research article are to: (1) highlight a low-cost methodology that clinicians without technical knowledge could use to develop educational apps; (2) clarify the respective costs involved in the process of development; (3) illustrate how limitations pertaining to dissemination could be addressed; and (4) to report initial utilization data of the apps and to share initial users' self-rated perception of the apps. METHODS: In this study, we will present two techniques of how to create a mobile app using two of the well-established online mobile app building websites. The costs of development are specified and the methodology of dissemination of the apps will be shared. The application of the low-cost methodologies in the creation of the "Mastering Psychiatry" app for undergraduates and "Déjà vu" app for postgraduates will be discussed. A questionnaire survey has been administered to undergraduate students collating their perceptions towards the app. RESULTS: For the Mastering Psychiatry app, a cumulative total of 722 users have used the mobile app since inception, based on our analytics. For the Déjà vu app, there has been a cumulative total of 154 downloads since inception. The utilization data demonstrated the receptiveness towards these apps, and this is reinforced by the positive perceptions undergraduate students (n=185) had towards the low-cost self-developed apps. CONCLUSIONS: This is one of the few studies that have demonstrated the low-cost methodologies of app development; as well as student and trainee receptivity toward self-created Web-based mobile phone apps. The results obtained have demonstrated that these Web-based low-cost apps are applicable in the real life, and suggest that the methodologies shared in this research paper might be of benefit for other specialities and disciplines.

Academy of Medicine-Ministry of Health clinical practice guidelines: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The Academy of Medicine (AMS) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) have developed the clinical practice guidelines on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to provide doctors and patients in Singapore with evidence-based treatment for ADHD. This article reproduces the introduction and executive summary (with recommendations from the guidelines) from the MOH clinical practice guidelines on ADHD, for the information of SMJ readers. Chapters and page numbers mentioned in the reproduced extract refer to the full text of the guidelines, which are available from the Ministry of Health website: http://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/healthprofessionalsportal/doctors/guidelines/cpg_medical.html.The recommendations should be used with reference to the full text of the guidelines. Following this article are multiple choice questions based on the full text of the guidelines.