Learning Objectives

Our society is changing; increasing numbers of people are living for longer and with more complex and chronic conditions. Although the importance of mental health in the context of health, illness and well-being is not new, what is new is the increasing acceptance of this and the recognition that there is indeed ‘No health without mental health’. Whether we call it ‘patient-centred’, ‘whole-person’, ‘holistic’ or by any other name, people are now demanding a healthcare system that integrates the physical, psychological and social spheres, as recognised in the priorities of the recent Five Year Forward View proposed by NHS England and endorsed across the healthcare spectrum. Doctors' education, embedded in the Foundation Programme, must follow these developments.

Hence we plan to expand wherever possible opportunities for psychiatry training for foundation Trainees and maximize the opportunities to exposure to psychiatric cases

A survey monkey was sent to FYs asking for their top topics they would like to learn about in psychiatry and the education sessions were coordinated using the results from the survey

Helping FYs to learn the core skills they need for a career outside psychiatry

Doctors will develop a better understanding of core mental health conditions and its management. They will improve their communication ,formulation skills, risk management and knowing when to refer patients to mental health and

To will learn about the non-biological aspects of psychiatry.

Overall the aim is to opportunity to create a future generation of doctors with greater mental health literacy.

Outline of the Day

Here are the topics that were rated highest. 

1. Mental capacity act

2. Managing aggression and de-escalation techniques

3. Using the MHA in general hospitals

4. Suicide/self-harm risk assessment

5. Symptoms and overview of common conditions

The next two were psychiatric pharmacology and older adults eg dementias/delirium. 

For the six sessions (recognising that we will probably get different FYs for each session so need to repeat the topics they requested as much as possible) we plan

1. EUPD – case presentation-à breakout groups to discuss risk assessment, MCA vs MHA if they want to leave hospital etc

2. Dementia – case presentation --à breakout groups to discuss risk assessment, MCA/DOLS, de-escalation, treatment BPSD

3. Depression - Case presentation --à breakout groups to discuss risk assessment and anxiety de-escalation/grounding techniques, MHA, pharmacology for management

4. Delirium – case presentation-à breakout groups to discuss risk assessment, MCA, cognitive assessment, differentiating from dementia/depression, pharmacology for management

5. Substance misuse - inc bitesize overview, risk assessment, management, perhaps formulation, use of MHA vs MCA when intoxicated, de-escalation, responsible prescribing/myth busting, what to do if someone absconds with cannula etc

6. Alcohol misuse - inc bitesize overview, risk assessment, managing acute withdrawal, delirium tremens, MCA vs MHA when intoxicated, de-escalation, pharmacology for management.