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Psychiatry Residency

The use of coaching in smartphone app-based cognitive behavioral therapy for body dysmorphic disorder
Bernstein EE, Greenberg JL, Weingarden H, Snorrason I, Summers B, Williams J, Quist R, Curtiss J, Harrison O and Wilhelm S
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is severe and undertreated. Digital mental health could be key to expanding access to evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy for BDD (CBT-BDD). Coach guidance is posited to be essential for effective uptake of digital interventions. However, little is known about how different patients may use coaching, what patterns correspond to meaningful outcomes, and how to match coaching to patient needs.
Effectiveness of interpersonal psychotherapy in comparison to other psychological and pharmacological interventions for reducing depressive symptoms in women diagnosed with postpartum depression in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review
Kang HK, Bisht B, Kaur M, Alexis O, Worsley A and John D
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a condition that can affect any woman regardless of ethnicity, age, party, marital status, income, and type of delivery. This condition is highly prevalent worldwide. PPD, if not treated timely, can affect the maternal-child bond and can have a detrimental impact on the future cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development of the child. Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) has been reported as an effective treatment of PPD in previous studies as this focuses on relationship and social support issues. Previous reviews conducted in developed nations have reported the superior efficacy of IPT in comparison to other treatment options. There is no systematic review conducted in low to middle-income countries on the efficacy of IPT on PPD. Therefore it was necessary to undertake a systematic review to assess the effectiveness of IPT in reducing the depression among postpartum women in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
A control study on pain characteristics and influencing factors in patients with depressive disorders-based on a 5-year follow-up report from the epidemiological survey of mental disorders in Shandong Province, China
Wang T, Wang Q, Li X, Wang C, Wang R, Wang C, Ding H, Qian L, Wan X, Tian X, Hou Z, Liu F, Liu J, Cheng X and Zhang J
This study extends from the 2015 Shandong Province Epidemiological Survey of Mental Disorders in adults aged 18 and above. Over five years, it investigates pain characteristics and influencing factors in individuals with depressive disorders in Shandong Province.
National surveillance using a clinical quality indicator for prolonged antipsychotic use among older Australians with dementia who access aged care services
Sluggett JK, Caughey GE, Air T, Cations M, Lang CE, Ward SA, Ahern S, Lin X, Wallis K, Crotty M and Inacio MC
Dementia guidelines recommend antipsychotics are only used for behavioral and psychological symptoms when non-drug interventions fail, and to regularly review use. Population-level clinical quality indicators (CQIs) for dementia care in permanent residential aged care (PRAC) typically monitor prevalence of antipsychotic use but not prolonged use. This study aimed to develop a CQI for antipsychotic use >90 days and examine trends, associated factors, and variation in CQI incidence; and examine duration of the first episode of use among individuals with dementia accessing home care packages (HCPs) or PRAC.
Proportion of Community-Dwelling Individuals Older Than 70 Years Eligible for Lecanemab Initiation: The Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Study
Dittrich A, Westman E, Shams S, Skillbäck T, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Zettergren A, Skoog I and Kern S
To determine the prevalence of individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) eligible for treatment with the recently FDA-approved lecanemab based on data from a population-based sample of 70-year-olds and extrapolate an estimation of individuals eligible in Europe and the United States.
Towards precision in the diagnostic profiling of patients: leveraging symptom dynamics as a clinical characterisation dimension in the assessment of major depressive disorder
Ebrahimi OV, Borsboom D, Hoekstra RHA, Epskamp S, Ostinelli EG, Bastiaansen JA and Cipriani A
International guidelines present overall symptom severity as the key dimension for clinical characterisation of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, differences may reside within severity levels related to how symptoms interact in an individual patient, called symptom dynamics.
Non-fatal suicide behaviours across phases in the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in a Catalan cohort
Serrano-Gimeno V, Diestre A, Agustin-Alcain M, Portella MJ, de Diego-Adeliño J, Tiana T, Cheddi N, Distefano A, Dominguez G, Arias M, Cardoner V, Puigdemont D, Perez V and Cardoner N
The COVID-19 pandemic has been extensively discussed in the context of its effect on mental health. Although global suicide rates have remained stable during the pandemic, the specific effect on non-fatal suicide behaviours during and after the pandemic remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate patterns of non-fatal suicide behaviours before, during, and after the pandemic.
Exploring the burden of postpartum depression in urban Bangladesh: Prevalence and its associations with pregnancy-related factors from a cross-sectional study
Al-Mamun F, Sultana MS, Momo MA, Malakar J, Bahar SB, Uddin I, Murshida M, Akter MM, Begum MM, Nodi TS, Al Habib A, Kaggwa MM, Roy N and Mamun MA
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a globally recognized public health concern, yet research focusing on women in urban areas of Bangladesh remains unexplored. This study aimed to address this research gap by investigating the prevalence and associated factors of PPD within the first 2 years after childbirth.
What Do LGBTQ+ Medical Students Experience and Need in Medical School? A Multicenter Qualitative Study in Thailand
Srifuengfung M, Wiwattarangkul T, Vadhanavikkit P, Wiwattanaworaset P, Chiddaycha M, Oon-Arom A and Wainipitapong S
This study evaluated the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+) attending medical schools in Thailand.
Overcoming the barriers to identifying and managing treatment-resistant schizophrenia and to improving access to clozapine: A narrative review and recommendation for clinical practice
Agid O, Crespo-Facorro B, de Bartolomeis A, Fagiolini A, Howes OD, Seppälä N and Correll CU
Clozapine is the only approved antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Although a large body of evidence supports its efficacy and favorable risk-benefit ratio in individuals who have failed two or more antipsychotics, clozapine remains underused. However, variations in clozapine utilization across geographic and clinical settings suggest that it could be possible to improve its use. In this narrative review and expert opinion, we summarized information available in the literature on the mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and potential adverse events of clozapine. We identified barriers leading to discouragement in clozapine prescription internationally, and we proposed practical solutions to overcome each barrier. One of the main obstacles identified to the use of clozapine is the lack of appropriate training for physicians: we highlighted the need to develop specific professional programs to train clinicians, both practicing and in residency, on the relevance and efficacy of clozapine in TRS treatment, initiation, maintenance, and management of potential adverse events. This approach would facilitate physicians to identify eligible patients and offer clozapine as a treatment option in the early stage of the disease. We also noted that increasing awareness of the benefits of clozapine among healthcare professionals, people with TRS, and their caregivers can help promote the use of clozapine. Educational material, such as leaflets or videos, could be developed and distributed to achieve this goal. The information provided in this article may be useful to improve disease burden and support healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers navigating the complex pathways to TRS management.
Microglia as integrators of brain-associated molecular patterns
Escoubas CC and Molofsky AV
Microglia are brain-resident macrophages that play key roles in brain development and experience dependent plasticity. In this review we discuss recent findings regarding the molecular mechanisms through which mammalian microglia sense the unique molecular patterns of the homeostatic brain. We propose that microglial function is acutely controlled in response to 'brain-associated molecular patterns' (BAMPs) that function as indicators of neuronal activity and neural circuit remodeling. A further layer of regulation comes from instructive cytokine cues that define unique microglial functional states. A systematic investigation of the receptors and signaling pathways that mediate these two regulatory axes may begin to define a functional code for microglia-neuron interactions.
Personality assessment in nursing home residents with mental and physical multimorbidity: two informant perspectives
Suntjens AF, Leontjevas R, van den Brink AMA, Voshaar RCO, Koopmans RTCM and Gerritsen DL
In older patients with mental and physical multimorbidity (MPM), personality assessment is highly complex. Our aim was to examine personality traits in this population using the Hetero-Anamnestic Personality questionnaire (HAP), and to compare the premorbid perspective of patients' relatives (HAP) with the present-time perspective of nursing staff (HAP-t).
Severe Maternal Morbidity and Mental Health Hospitalizations or Emergency Department Visits
Blackman A, Ukah UV, Platt RW, Meng X, Shapiro GD, Malhamé I, Ray JG, Lisonkova S, El-Chaâr D, Auger N and Dayan N
Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) can have long-term health consequences for the affected mother. The association between SMM and future maternal mental health conditions has not been well studied.
The General Movement Optimality Score-Revised (GMOS-R) with Socioeconomically Stratified Percentile Ranks
Einspieler C, Bos AF, Spittle AJ, Bertoncelli N, Burger M, Peyton C, Toldo M, Utsch F, Zhang D and Marschik PB
The general movement optimality score (GMOS) quantifies the details of general movements (GMs). We recently conducted psychometric analyses of the GMOS and developed a revised scoresheet. Consequently, the GMOS-Revised (GMOS-R) instrument necessitated validation using new percentile ranks. This study aimed to provide these percentile ranks for the GMOS-R and to investigate whether sex, preterm birth, or the infant's country of birth and residence affected the GMOS-R distribution. We applied the GMOS-R to an international sample of 1983 infants (32% female, 44% male, and 24% not disclosed), assessed in the extremely and very preterm period (10%), moderate (12%) and late (22%) preterm periods, at term (25%), and post-term age (31%). Data were grouped according to the World Bank's classification into lower- and upper-middle-income countries (LMICs and UMICs; 26%) or high-income countries (HICs; 74%), respectively. We found that sex and preterm or term birth did not affect either GM classification or the GMOS-R, but the country of residence did. A lower median GMOS-R for infants with normal or poor-repertoire GMs from LMICs and UMICs compared with HICs suggests the use of specific percentile ranks for LMICs and UMICs vs. HICs. For clinical and scientific use, we provide a freely available GMOS-R scoring sheet, with percentile ranks reflecting socioeconomic stratification.
Predictors of serostatus nondisclosure in mothers living with human immunodeficiency virus receiving a disclosure intervention: Analysis of a randomized clinical trial intervention arm
Marelich WD, Ali B, Murphy DA, Schulte MT and Armistead L
The current study applied survival analysis to examine factors associated with nondisclosure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus among mothers living with HIV (MLH) who had participated in a cognitive-behavioral intervention to disclose their HIV status to their children.
'I thought we would be cherished and safe here': understanding the multi-faceted nature of mental health among Arab immigrants/refugees in Ontario, Canada- the CAN-HEAL study
Elshahat S, Moffat T, Iqbal BK, Newbold KB, Morshed M, Alkhawaldeh H, Gagnon O, Gehani M, Madani K, Zhu T, Garabedian L, Jafri Y, Kanaa N, Mohamed A, Nadeem N, Oghli ZS, Zabian S, Shah A, Samhat A, Khaira S, Jelal H, Kaloti J, Varadarajan S, Xu Y and Laing M
Mental health (MH) is a critical public health issue. Arab immigrants/refugees (AIR) may be at high risk for MH problems owing to various unique stressors, such as post-September/11 demonization. Despite the growing AIR population in Western countries, there is a lack of AIR-MH research in these nations. The CAN-HEAL study examined MH experiences and needs among AIR in Ontario, Canada.
How can care home activities facilitate social connection in residents? A qualitative study
Misiak MM, Bethell J, Chapman H and Sommerlad A
Good social connection is associated with better physical and mental health but care home residents experience barriers to social connection. Activities present a potential avenue for improving social connection in care homes but residents often experience loneliness despite access to activity programmes. We therefore aimed to identify what aspects of activities facilitate social connection in care home residents.
Beyond theoretical courses - A study of Swedish psychiatric residents' collegial learning through conversations in the workplace
Bolander Laksov K, Knez R, Steingrimsson S, El Alaoui S and Sörman K
Collegial conversations are important for sustainable learning to last beyond a course. Research on collegial conversations and peer learning in the workplace during psychiatric residency courses remains sparse, however. In this study, the aim was to explore residents' opportunities for collegial conversations during and after national courses in psychiatry.
Mindfulness training in medical education as a means to improve resilience, empathy, and mental health in the medical profession
Vidal EIO, Ribeiro LFA, de Carvalho-Filho MA and Fukushima FB
The high rates of depression, burnout, and increased risk of suicide among medical students, residents, and physicians in comparison with other careers signal a mental health crisis within our profession. We contend that this crisis coupled with the inadequate acquisition of interpersonal skills during medical education results from the interaction between a challenging environment and the mental capital of individuals. Additionally, we posit that mindfulness-based practices are instrumental for the development of major components of mental capital, such as resilience, flexibility of mind, and learning skills, while also serving as a pathway to enhance empathy, compassion, self-awareness, conflict resolution, and relational abilities. Importantly, the evidence base supporting the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions has been increasing over the years, and a growing number of medical schools have already integrated mindfulness into their curricula. While we acknowledge that mindfulness is not a panacea for all educational and mental health problems in this field, we argue that there is currently an unprecedented opportunity to gather momentum, spread and study mindfulness-based programs in medical schools around the world as a way to address some longstanding shortcomings of the medical profession and the health and educational systems upon which it is rooted.
Prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of common mental disorders (CMDs) symptoms in a rural adult population of Haryana, North India
Bashar MA, Mehra A and Aggarwal AK
Common mental disorders (CMDs), including depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorders, affect all stages of life and impact individuals, families, and communities. This study aimed to determine the magnitude of CMDs and their sociodemographic determinants in the adult population of a rural block in North India.
A Queer Eye for the Binary Resident: the Importance of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth Care During Psychiatric Residents Training
Martins CFBG, Gagliotti DAM, Gonçalves AHO, Andrade PHA, Freitas FA, Morikawa M, Humes EC and Saadeh A
A systematic review of reasons and risks for acute service use by older adult residents of long-term care
Merrick E, Bloomfield K, Seplaki C, Shannon K, Wham C, Winnington R, Neville S, Bail K, Fry M, Turner M and MacFarlane J
To identify the reasons and/or risk factors for hospital admission and/or emergency department attendance for older (≥60 years) residents of long-term care facilities.
Barriers to increasing paid parental leave in U.S. neurology residencies: a survey of program directors
Conway SE, Wang W and Prasad S
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) require that residency programs allow at least 6 weeks of parental leave. The American Medical Association (AMA) recommends 12 weeks of paid parental leave. Despite these recommendations, there is little information about parental leave policies across U.S. neurology residencies. The objective of our study was to assess parental leave policies in U.S. adult neurology residencies and barriers to increasing the duration of leave.
Alzheimer's Incidence and Prevalence with and without Asthma: A Medicare cohort study
Bartels CM, Chen Y, Powell WR, Rosenkranz MA, Bendlin BB, Kramer J, Busse WW and Kind A
International data suggest that asthma, like other inflammatory diseases, might increase Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk.
The clinical complexity among patients with systemic, chronic diseases
Marlikowska A, Szcześniak D, Kosowska N, Wieczorek T, Rymaszewska JE, Augustyniak-Bartosik H, Krajewska M and Rymaszewska J
This study aimed to assess the clinical complexity of patients with chronic systemic diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and ANCA-associated vasculitis [AAV]) using the INTERMED Self-Assessment questionnaire (IMSA) to determine the most important factors responsible for this phenomenon in these patients.
Cultural assimilation of adult Syrian refugees in Lebanon: Effect modification by religiosity and sex on the relation between cultural adversities and common mental health disorders
Abou-Abbass H, El Sheikh WG, Bizri M, Tamim H, Al-Hajj S, Karout L, Allouch F, Chehade R, Ghannam M, Fares Y, Nasser Z, Harati H and Kobeissy F
In this study, we aimed to explore the prevalence and determinants of common mental health disorders (CMHDs, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, and anxiety) in Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Specifically, we examined how the associations between cultural adversities (discrimination, unemployment, and separation from family) and CMHDs are modified by levels of religiosity and sex.
Ethnoracial Disparities in Perinatal Outcomes among Women Veterans
Nillni YI, Fox AB, Fernando M, Perez J and Galovski TE
Non-Hispanic Black women have increased rates of preterm birth and low infant birth weight. However, we do not know if these disparities replicate in women veterans, a population that may be at further risk for poor perinatal outcomes. This study sought to examine ethnoracial differences in preterm birth and low infant birth weight in veterans. A national sample of randomly chosen women veterans (i.e., oversampled for residency in high crime neighborhoods) reported information about all pregnancies they have had in their life, demographic characteristics, and history of childhood trauma exposures. The analytic sample was limited to individuals who identified as Hispanic/Latinx, Black, or White ( = 972). Mixed-effects regression models were used to examine ethnoracial differences in gestational age at delivery and infant birth weight, controlling for age at pregnancy, childhood trauma exposure, pregnancy during military service, income, and education. Both Black and Hispanic/Latinx veterans were significantly more likely to have an infant born at lower gestational age ( = -1.04 and = -1.11, respectively) and lower infant birth weight ( = -195.83 and = -144.27, respectively) as compared with White veterans in covariate-adjusted models. Black (odds ratio = 3.24, confidence interval = 1.16, 9.09) veterans were more likely to meet the clinical definition of preterm birth as compared with White veterans. Results align with what is seen in the general population regarding ethnoracial disparities in gestational age at delivery and infant birth weight. Findings highlight the critical need for more research on mechanisms and prevention efforts for ethnoracial disparities in perinatal outcomes.
Implementation of the Dementia Isolation Toolkit in long-term care improves awareness but does not reduce moral distress amongst healthcare providers
Levy AM, Grigorovich A, McMurray J, Quirt H, Ranft K, Engell K, Stewart S, Astell A, Kokorelias K, Schon D, Rogrigues K, Tsokas M, Flint AJ and Iaboni A
Healthcare providers may experience moral distress when they are unable to take the ethically or morally appropriate action due to real or perceived constraints in delivering care, and this psychological stressor can negatively impact their mental health, leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. This study describes healthcare providers experiences of moral distress working in long-term care settings during the COVID-19 pandemic and measures self-reported levels of moral distress pre- and post-implementation of the Dementia Isolation Toolkit (DIT), a person-centred care intervention designed for use by healthcare providers to alleviate moral distress.
Global incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and healthy life expectancy (HALE) for 371 diseases and injuries in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Detailed, comprehensive, and timely reporting on population health by underlying causes of disability and premature death is crucial to understanding and responding to complex patterns of disease and injury burden over time and across age groups, sexes, and locations. The availability of disease burden estimates can promote evidence-based interventions that enable public health researchers, policy makers, and other professionals to implement strategies that can mitigate diseases. It can also facilitate more rigorous monitoring of progress towards national and international health targets, such as the Sustainable Development Goals. For three decades, the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) has filled that need. A global network of collaborators contributed to the production of GBD 2021 by providing, reviewing, and analysing all available data. GBD estimates are updated routinely with additional data and refined analytical methods. GBD 2021 presents, for the first time, estimates of health loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Intervention diversity predicts social rehabilitation indicators at discharge in Therapeutic Communities
Barreto KIS, Madruga CS, Miguel AC, Smith C, Apolinário GS, Godoy Filho GS, Guirado LR, Kurlander PA, McPherson S and Laranjeira RR
The Therapeutic Community Model narrows the gap in substance use disorder's network of assistance in Brazil by offering residential treatment to socially vulnerable populations. Due to a historical lack of evidence-based approaches, the government has established treatment guidelines and has been trying to implement training and monitoring methods.
Perspective biomarkers and staging of bipolar disorder
Cunha MJ
Distributions of recorded pain in mental health records: a natural language processing based study
Chaturvedi J, Stewart R, Ashworth M and Roberts A
The objective of this study is to determine demographic and diagnostic distributions of physical pain recorded in clinical notes of a mental health electronic health records database by using natural language processing and examine the overlap in recorded physical pain between primary and secondary care.
Meditation Moderates the Relationship between Insecure Attachment and Loneliness: A Study of Long-Term Care Residents in Thailand
Khin Moe Myint , DeMaranville J, Wongpakaran T, Peisah C, Arunrasameesopa S and Wongpakaran N
: Loneliness is prevalent among residents of long-term care settings, posing significant challenges to their mental wellbeing. Insecure attachment has been identified as a contributing factor to loneliness in this population. Previous research has suggested that meditation may have beneficial effects on mental health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between meditation, insecure attachment, and loneliness among residents of long-term care facilities in Thailand. Specifically, the study sought to investigate the moderating effect of meditation on the association between insecure attachment (both avoidance and anxiety) and loneliness. : A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 236 residents living in long-term care homes in Thailand. Participants completed self-report measures including the 18-item Revised Experience of Close Relationship questionnaire (to assess attachment anxiety and avoidance), the Inner Strength-Based Inventory (to measure meditation practice), and the 6-item Revised Version of the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale. Moderation analyses were performed to explore the role of meditation in the relationship between insecure attachment and loneliness. : The mean age of participants was 73.52 years, with females accounting for 57.6% of the sample. Among the participants, 58.4% reported engaging in meditation, with practice frequency ranging from often to daily. The mean meditation score was 2.92 out of 5, indicating regular but not daily practice. Meditation was found to moderate the relationship between insecure attachment (both avoidance and anxiety) and loneliness. Specifically, the moderation effect between attachment anxiety and loneliness was significant (B = 0.44, SE = 0.21, 95% CI [0.30, 0.86]), as was the interaction effect between attachment anxiety and loneliness (B = -0.34, SE = 0.17, 95% CI [-0.67, -0.02]). : The findings suggest that the impact of meditation practice on loneliness is influenced by an individual's attachment dimension. Meditation demonstrates a moderating effect on attachment avoidance, anxiety, and loneliness, with variations observed in the direction of these effects. The clinical implications of these findings and recommendations for further research are discussed.
Childhood urbanicity is associated with emotional episodic memory-related striatal function and common variation in NTRK2
Zhang X, Zhang Y, Yan H, Yu H, Zhang D, Mattay VS, Tan HY and Yue W
Childhoods in urban or rural environments may differentially affect the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, possibly through memory processing and neural response to emotional stimuli. Genetic factors may not only influence individuals' choices of residence but also modulate how the living environment affects responses to episodic memory.
A Self-Guided Curriculum for Psychiatry Residents to Learn Bedside Cognitive Evaluations
Khasnavis S and Asghar-Ali AA
A palliative care goals model for people with dementia and their family: Consensus achieved in an international Delphi study
Nishimura M, Harrison Dening K, Sampson EL, Vidal EIO, Nakanishi M, Davies N, Abreu W, Kaasalainen S, Eisenmann Y, Dempsey L, Moore KJ, Bolt SR, Meijers JM, Dekker NL, Miyashita M, Nakayama T and van der Steen JT
Advance care planning in dementia includes supporting the person and their family to consider important goals of care. International research reports the importance of psycho-social-spiritual aspects towards end of life.
Storylines of family medicine III: core principles-primary care, systems and family
Ventres WB, Stone LA, Joslin TA, Saultz JW, Aldulaimi S, Gordon PR, Lane JC, Lee ER, Prunuske J, Gildenblatt L, Friedman MH, Fogarty CT, McDaniel SH, Rohrberg T and Odom A
is a 12-part series of thematically linked mini-essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine, as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'III: core principles-primary care, systems, and family', authors address the following themes: 'Continuity of care-building therapeutic relationships over time', 'Comprehensiveness-combining breadth and depth of scope', 'Coordination of care-managing multiple realities', 'Access to care-intersectional, systemic, and personal', 'Systems theory-a core value in patient-centered care', 'Family-oriented practice-supporting patients' health and well-being', 'Family physician as family member' and 'Family in the exam room'. May readers develop new understandings from these essays.
Implementation and Evaluation of Educational Workshops to Increase Primary Care Provider and Medical Student Comfort in Psychiatric Care
Mallya MM, Munoz IB, Liu-Zarzuela JA, Preble RG, Rajagopal S, Reyna A, Moy MI, Rowlinson EG and Oorjitham NS
Mental health treatment is often initiated in primary care settings, but many primary care providers (PCPs), residents, and medical students report discomfort in managing psychiatric conditions. This study evaluated the effect of an educational workshop that featured an evidence-based psychopharmacology clinical decision support tool (CDST) on trainee confidence and willingness to treat psychiatric conditions.
Forensic Psychiatry Education in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) Fellowship: Results from a Multi-site Survey
Ramasamy R, Radwan K, Robinovitz M, Nierman P and Jacobson K
This study examined the current state of forensic education among child and adolescent psychiatry (CAP) fellowship programs, regarding specific forensic topics, teaching resources, methods, and experiences. The authors aimed to gather and analyze this data to assess the need for additional standardization of forensic psychiatry education in CAP fellowship, such as broader access to resources, and/or inform the development of a standardized curriculum, including milestones, in child and adolescent forensic psychiatry.
Positive Emotional Responses to Socially Assistive Robots in People With Dementia: Pilot Study
Otaka E, Osawa A, Kato K, Obayashi Y, Uehara S, Kamiya M, Mizuno K, Hashide S and Kondo I
Interventions and care that can evoke positive emotions and reduce apathy or agitation are important for people with dementia. In recent years, socially assistive robots used for better dementia care have been found to be feasible. However, the immediate responses of people with dementia when they are given multiple sensory modalities from socially assistive robots have not yet been sufficiently elucidated.
Safety profile of hypnotics or sedatives on community-dwelling older adults aged 75 or older in Japan: A retrospective propensity-matched cohort study
Handa N, Ishizaki T, Mitsutake S, Ono K and Akishita M
The purpose of the study is to assess if daily use of hypnotics increases mortality, aspiration pneumonia and hip fracture among relatively healthy individuals aged 75 years or older who lead independent lives in the community.
Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of mental illness among nursing home residents
Holt J, Bhar S, Schofield P, Koder D, Owen P, Seitz D and Bhowmik J
There is a high prevalence of mental illness in nursing home residents compared to older adults living in the community. This was highlighted in the most recent comprehensive systematic review on the topic, published in 2010. In the context of a rapidly aging population and increased numbers of older adults requiring residential care, this study aims to provide a contemporary account of the prevalence of mental illness among nursing home residents.
Continuing the conversation: a cross-sectional study about the effects of work-related adverse events on the mental health of Dutch (resident) obstetrician-gynaecologists (ObGyns)
Baas MAM, Stramrood CAI, Molenaar JE, van Baar PM, Vanhommerig JW and van Pampus MG
Obstetrician-Gynaecologists (ObGyns) frequently face work-related adverse events such as severe obstetric complications and maternal or neonatal deaths. In 2014, the WATER-1 study showed that ObGyns are at risk of developing work-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while many hospitals lacked a professional support system. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the current prevalence of work-related traumatic events and mental health problems among Dutch ObGyns, as well as to examine the current and desired support.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Pay-for-Performance Initiative to Reduce Costs of Care for High-Need Psychiatric Patients
Blonigen DM and Humphreys K
Pay-for-performance (P4P) initiatives hold promise for improving health care delivery but are rarely applied to behavioral health or tested in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This RCT examined the effectiveness of a P4P initiative to reduce total cost of 24-hour care among patients with high needs for psychiatric care in a large county in California.
Neurology Training and Medical Education in Resource-Limited Settings: Building and Growing the First Neurology Residency Program in East Africa
Belay HD, Gebrewold MA, Ayele BA, Oda DM, Kelemu FT, Zewde YZ, Melkamu SK, Wuhib MZ, Gugssa SA, Mengesha AT and Metaferia GZ
The burden of neurological disease disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries, where the lowest number of neurologists are located. Building local training opportunities in resource-limited settings is a foundational step to enhancing the neurological workforce and improving access to neurological care in these regions. In this article, we describe the development and growth of the first neurology residency program in East Africa, which was established in 2006 at Zewditu Memorial Hospital and the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia. We highlight the impact of the program on clinical care, research, collaborations between neurologists across Ethiopia, and ways to build educational opportunities and mentorship while faced with limited resources. The main challenges in starting the residency program included lack of faculty with neurological expertise, lack of a precedent for subspecialty training in our setting, as well as limited resources and space. The formation of sustainable international collaborations with clinicians at established institutions in high-income countries and neurological societies has been a major source of support in developing the initial infrastructure, curriculum and educational content, knowledge assessments, and mentored research projects. Local partnerships with related medical specialties, including internal medicine, critical care, neurological surgery, and psychiatry, were also instrumental in creating training opportunities. As the program continues to evolve, many challenges remain, including limited diagnostics, lack of access to advanced treatment modalities, lack of fellowship training opportunities in various neurological subspecialties, and insufficient training and experience in scientific writing. Despite these challenges, the residency program has persevered and its creation resulted in many positive changes: since its inception in 2006, we graduated 80 neurologists and the number of practicing neurologists in Ethiopia has increased from 5 to 78, our institution has evolved into a national referral center for neurology, graduates have published 61 articles in the past 3 years and contributed to international neurology research, and alumni of the program have grown the Association of Ethiopian Neurologists. Future directions include development of fellowship opportunities, creation of international rotations, and implementation of teleneurology to further strengthen neurological care across Ethiopia.
How Should Health Care Organizations Limit Roles of Human Trafficking in Their Labor and Supply Chains?
Gordon M, Chen R, Coverdale J, Schiller M, Stoklosa H and Nguyen P
There has been little attention given to roles played by human trafficking in health care organizations' supply chains. Hand sanitizers and gloves, for example, might be produced by forced labor, which tends to increase in prevalence during pandemics, mass violence, migration, or other global crises. This article considers the nature and scope of health care organizations' corporate and social responsibilities to procure products and personnel justly, offers recommendations to minimize possibilities that supplies are produced by forced labor, and advocates for a public health approach to limiting human trafficking in organizations' supply chains.
Role of Pre-Operative High-Resolution Computed Tomography for Surgical Planning in Patients Undergoing Cochlear Implantation - An Observational Study
Bharadwaja S, Patnaik U, Sahoo L, Raghavan D, Mathur Y, Badal S and Srivastava K
Currently preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain and High-Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) scanning of temporal bones form part of routine Cochlear implantation (CI) assessment. Pre- operative imaging demonstrates anatomic details or anomalies if any, that prove essential in pre-surgical evaluation of patients. These form a road map for the surgeon to anticipate any difficulty during surgery, to aid in decision making to implant the most appropriate ear, plan surgical technique, or select electrode arrays.
Using ChatGPT in Psychiatry to Design Script Concordance Tests in Undergraduate Medical Education: Mixed Methods Study
Hudon A, Kiepura B, Pelletier M and Phan V
Undergraduate medical studies represent a wide range of learning opportunities served in the form of various teaching-learning modalities for medical learners. A clinical scenario is frequently used as a modality, followed by multiple-choice and open-ended questions among other learning and teaching methods. As such, script concordance tests (SCTs) can be used to promote a higher level of clinical reasoning. Recent technological developments have made generative artificial intelligence (AI)-based systems such as ChatGPT (OpenAI) available to assist clinician-educators in creating instructional materials.
Differences in Well-Being at School Between Young Students With and Without a Refugee Background
Leeuwestein H, Kupers E, Boelhouwer M and van Dijk M
Students with a refugee background are a vulnerable group in education. Adverse experiences and unsafe circumstances that they encounter prior, during and after their flight can place a great burden on their mental health and psychological well-being. Little is known about the psychological well-being of young refugee students in kindergarten and early years of primary school. The current study examined the psychological well-being of 4- to 8-year-old students with a refugee background residing in the Netherlands (n = 136), compared to Dutch peers without a refugee background (n = 406). Primary school teachers completed three questionnaires which assessed multiple indicators of their students' psychological well-being: Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Social-Emotional Questionnaire (SEV) and Risk and Protective factors Trauma Observation School Situations (RaPTOSS). In line with the hypothesis, results showed overall lower psychological well-being among refugee students compared to non-refugee students. Teachers observed more total difficulties in socio-emotional functioning, anxious and mood disturbing behavior, ADHD symptoms, problematic social behavior and post-traumatic stress symptoms (small effects), and less developed trauma protective factors and prosocial behavior (medium effects) among students with a refugee background compared to their non-refugee peers. However, the findings also demonstrated that half of the refugee students did not have any scores that fall in the clinical range of the psychological and behavioral problems assessed. The results underline the need to promote protective factors such as positive self-image, self-regulation skills, safety and relations in the classroom and prosocial behavior among students with a refugee background.
Ambient air temperature exposure and foetal size and growth in three European birth cohorts
Essers E, Granés L, Delaney S, Ballester J, Santos S, Petricola S, Yang TC, Fernández-Somoano A, Bereziartua A, Ballester F, Tardón A, Vrijheid M, Lertxundi A, McEachan RRC, El Marroun H, Tiemeier H, Iñiguez C and Guxens M
Ambient air temperature may affect birth outcomes adversely, but little is known about their impact on foetal growth throughout pregnancy. We evaluated the association between temperature exposure during pregnancy and foetal size and growth in three European birth cohorts.
A Bell's Palsy Case Probably Related to Sertraline Use
Ceylan ME, Ünsalver BÖ and Ceylan HZ
Self-reported neighborhood stressors and sleep quality among Puerto Rican young adults
Saelee R, April-Sanders AK, Bird HR, Canino GJ, Duarte CS, Lugo-Candelas C and Suglia SF
To examine the association between changes in self-reported neighborhood stressors and sleep quality and determine whether this varied by sociocultural context among Puerto Rican young adults.
Relationship between social inequality perception patterns and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults: A national representative longitudinal study
Zhang S, Wang T, Zhang L, Wei Y, Jian W and Guo J
The rising prevalence of depressive symptoms presents a pressing global public health concern, exacerbated by prevailing social inequality.
Storylines of family medicine IV: perspectives on practice-lenses of appreciation
Ventres WB, Stone LA, Akhtar R, Ring JM, Candib LM, Messias E, Epstein RM, Tunzi M, Lee AL, Morley CP, Brown CM, Slawson D, Konkin J, Campbell DG, Couper I, Williams S, Brooks R and Walters L
is a 12-part series of thematically linked mini-essays with accompanying illustrations that explore the many dimensions of family medicine, as interpreted by individual family physicians and medical educators in the USA and elsewhere around the world. In 'IV: perspectives on practice-lenses of appreciation', authors address the following themes: 'Relational connections in the doctor-patient partnership', 'Feminism and family medicine', 'Positive family medicine', 'Mindful practice', 'The new, old ethics of family medicine', 'Public health, prevention and populations', 'Information mastery in family medicine' and 'Clinical courage.' May readers nurture their curiosity through these essays.
Clinical correlates of negative health events and disparities among adults with epilepsy enrolled in a self-management clinical trial
Ghearing GR, Tyrrell M, Black J, Krehel-Montgomery J, Yala J, Adeniyi C, Briggs F and Sajatovic M
Despite advances in care, people with epilepsy experience negative health events (NHEs), such as seizures, emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. This analysis using baseline data from an epilepsy self-management clinical trial targeting people from rural regions and other underserved populations assessed the relationship between demographic and clinical variables vs. NHEs.
Psychologists and Integrated Behavioral Health Simulation Training: A Survey of Medical Educators and Perspectives of Directors of Clinical Training
Pereira LM, Mallela JL, Carroll AJ, Washburn JJ and Robiner WN
It is well established that the integration of behavioral healthcare into the medical home model improves patient outcomes, reduces costs, and increases resident learning. As academic health centers increasingly integrate behavioral healthcare, targeted training for interprofessional collaboration around behavioral healthcare is needed. Simulation educational approaches potentially can provide this training. Health service psychologists are well-poised to support this because of their specialized training in integrated healthcare. The present exploratory study aimed to evaluate existing simulation programs and develop recommendations for integrated behavioral health training and evaluation. Directors of ACGME accredited residency programs that are high utilizers of the medical home model (Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Medicine/Pediatrics, Family Medicine) as well as Psychiatry residencies and medical schools with membership in the Society for Simulation in Healthcare were recruited to complete a 26-item survey to assess program usage of psychologists as part of simulation training for integrated behavioral healthcare services. Of 79 participants who completed initial items describing their training program, only 32 programs completed the entire survey. While many academic health centers offered integrated team and behavioral health simulations, few utilized psychology faculty in design, implementation, and evaluation. Other behavioral health providers (psychiatrists, social workers) were often involved in medical school and pediatric residency simulations. Few institutions use standardized evaluation. Qualitative feedback and faculty-written questionnaires were often used to evaluate efficacy. Survey responses suggest that psychologists play limited roles in integrated behavioral healthcare simulation despite their expertise in interdisciplinary training, integrated behavioral healthcare, and program evaluation.
Pediatric Physical Restraint Coding in US Hospitals: A 2019 Kids Inpatient Database Study
Luccarelli J, Kalluri AS, Kalluri NS and McCoy TH
Reduction of physical restraint utilization is a goal of high-quality hospital care, but there is little nationally-representative data about physical restraint utilization in hospitalized children in the United States. This study reports the rate of physical restraint coding among hospitalizations for patients aged 1 to 18 years old in the United States and explores associated demographic and diagnostic factors.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of a Smartphone App-Led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression Under Therapist Supervision: Open Trial
Wilhelm S, Bernstein EE, Bentley KH, Snorrason I, Hoeppner SS, Klare D, Greenberg JL, Weingarden H, McCoy TH and Harrison O
Major depressive disorder affects approximately 1 in 5 adults during their lifetime and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Yet, a minority receive adequate treatment due to person-level (eg, geographical distance to providers) and systems-level (eg, shortage of trained providers) barriers. Digital tools could improve this treatment gap by reducing the time and frequency of therapy sessions needed for effective treatment through the provision of flexible, automated support.
Healthcare Utilization and Direct Costs Prior to Subspecialty Care in Children with Chronic Pain Compared with Other Chronic Childhood Diseases: A Cohort Study
Gerhold K, Al-Azazi S, El-Matary W, Katz LY, Lim LS, Marks SD and Lix LM
To understand the burden associated with pediatric chronic pain (CP) on the healthcare system compared with other costly chronic diseases prior to subspecialty care.
The Impact of Latent Cytomegalovirus Infection on Spontaneous Abortion History and Pregnancy Outcomes in Romanian Pregnant Women
Mocanu AG, Stoian DL, Daescu AC, Motofelea AC, Ciohat IM, Navolan DB, Vilibic-Cavlek T, Bogdanic M, Nemescu D, Tomescu L and Carabineanu A
Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a DNA virus that belongs to the family, infects 40-100% of people. Primary/non-primary CMV infection during pregnancy could cause fetal disabilities. After primary infection, CMV causes a latent infection and resides in cells of the myeloid compartment (CD34, monocytes). Few studies have analyzed the impact of latent CMV infections on miscarriage history, pregnancy complications, and neonatal outcomes.
Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990-2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021
Regular, detailed reporting on population health by underlying cause of death is fundamental for public health decision making. Cause-specific estimates of mortality and the subsequent effects on life expectancy worldwide are valuable metrics to gauge progress in reducing mortality rates. These estimates are particularly important following large-scale mortality spikes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When systematically analysed, mortality rates and life expectancy allow comparisons of the consequences of causes of death globally and over time, providing a nuanced understanding of the effect of these causes on global populations.
Prevalence of Opioid Use Disorder and Opioid Overdose Rates Among People With Mental Illness
Chen Q, Gopaldas M, Castillo F, Leckman-Westin E, Nunes EV, Levin FR and Finnerty MT
The authors examined the prevalence and correlates of co-occurring opioid use disorder and opioid overdose among individuals receiving psychiatric services.
Experience of loneliness and depression due to spousal separation by long-term care residents and their spouses: a qualitative systematic review
Robertson MA, Petersen EE, Ross-White A, Camargo-Plazas P, Andrew M and Egan R
The objective of this review was to describe the experiences of loneliness and/or depression for residents and their spouses who are separated by long-term care placement.
Perturbation of the insomnia WDR90 GWAS locus pinpoints rs3752495 as a causal variant influencing distal expression of neighboring gene, PIG-Q
Sonti S, Littleton SH, Pahl MC, Zimmerman AJ, Chesi A, Palermo J, Lasconi C, Brown EB, Pippin JA, Wells AD, Doldur-Balli F, Pack AI, Gehrman PR, Keene AC and Grant SFA
Although genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified loci for sleep-related traits, they do not directly uncover the underlying causal variants and corresponding effector genes. The majority of such variants reside in non-coding regions and are therefore presumed to impact cis-regulatory elements. Our previously reported 'variant-to-gene mapping' effort in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs), combined with validation in both Drosophila and zebrafish, implicated PIG-Q as a functionally relevant gene at the insomnia 'WDR90' GWAS locus. However, importantly that effort did not characterize the corresponding underlying causal variant. Specifically, our previous 3D genomic datasets nominated a shortlist of three neighboring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in strong linkage disequilibrium within an intronic enhancer region of WDR90 that contacted the open PIG-Q promoter. We sought to investigate the influence of these SNPs collectively and then individually on PIG-Q modulation to pinpoint the causal "regulatory" variant. Starting with gross level perturbation, deletion of the entire region in NPCs via CRISPR-Cas9 editing and subsequent RNA sequencing revealed expression changes in specific PIG-Q transcripts. Results from individual luciferase reporter assays for each SNP in iPSCs revealed that the region with the rs3752495 risk allele induced a ~2.5-fold increase in luciferase expression. Importantly, rs3752495 also exhibited an allele specific effect, with the risk allele increasing the luciferase expression by ~2-fold versus the non-risk allele. In conclusion, our variant-to-function approach and in vitro validation implicates rs3752495 as a causal insomnia variant embedded within WDR90 while modulating the expression of the distally located PIG-Q.
Understanding the Needs of Women: Why Clinical Experiences in Reproductive Psychiatry Are Valuable for All Residents
Howard M, Fenn J and Colah Z
A realistic aneurysm clipping simulation combining 3D-printed and placenta-based models-how I do it
Hudelist B, Prebot J, Lecarpentier E and Apra C
Neurovascular surgery, particularly aneurysm clipping, is a critical skill for aspiring neurosurgeons. However, hands-on training opportunities are limited, especially with the growing popularity of endovascular techniques. To address this challenge, we present a novel neurovascular surgical training station that combines synthetic 3D-printed models with placental vascular structures to create a semi-realistic surgical field.
Designing a Novel Digitally Delivered Antiracism Intervention for Mental Health Clinicians: Exploratory Analysis of Acceptability
Brown TR, Amir H, Hirsch D and Jansen MO
There is a great need for evidence-based antiracism interventions targeting mental health clinicians to help mitigate mental health disparities in racially and ethnically minoritized groups.
Profiles of Permanent Supportive Housing Residents Related to Their Housing Conditions, Service Use, and Associated Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics
Fleury MJ and Armoon B
As permanent supportive housing (PSH) is the main strategy promoted to reduce homelessness, understanding how PSH resident profiles may be differentiated is crucial to the optimization of PSH implementation - and a subject that hasn't been studied yet. This study identified PSH resident profiles based on their housing conditions and service use, associated with their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. In 2020-2021, 308 PSH residents from Quebec (Canada) were interviewed, with K-means cluster analysis produced to identify profiles and subsequent analyses to compare profiles and PSH resident characteristics. Of the three profiles identified, Profiles 1 and 2 (70% of sample) showed moderate or poor housing, neighborhood, and health conditions, and moderate or high unmet care needs and service use. Besides their "moderate" conditions, Profile 1 residents (52%) reported being in PSH for more than two years and being less educated. With the "worst" conditions and high service use, Profile 2 (18%) included younger individuals, while Profile 3 (30%) showed the "best" conditions and integrated individuals with more protective determinants (e.g., few in foster care, homelessness at older age, more self-esteem), with a majority living in single-site PSH and reporting higher satisfaction with support and community-based services. Profiles 1 and 2 may be provided with more psychosocial, crisis, harm reduction, and empowerment interventions, and peer helper support. Profile 2 may benefit from more intensive and integrated care, and better housing conditions. Continuous PSH may be sustained for Profile 3, with regular monitoring of service satisfaction and met needs.
Driver's Licensure and Driving Outcomes Among Youths With Mood Disorders
Gaw CE, Metzger KB, Pfeiffer MR, Yerys BE, Boyd RC, Corwin DJ and Curry AE
Mood disorders are prevalent among adolescents and young adults, and their onset often coincides with driving eligibility. The understanding of how mood disorders are associated with youth driving outcomes is limited.
The relationship between alcohol consumption and amygdala volume in a community-based sample
Pho C, Yu FF, Palka JM and Brown ES
Most prior studies have reported decreased amygdala volume in those with a history of alcohol use disorder. Decreased amygdala volume associated with alcohol use disorder may be related to an increased risk of addiction and relapse. However, the relationship between amygdala volume and a broad range of alcohol consumption is largely unexplored. The present cross-sectional analysis investigates the relationship between amygdala volume and self-reported alcohol consumption in participants of the Dallas Heart Study, a community-based study of Dallas County, Texas residents. Brain imaging and survey data from participants (n = 2023) were obtained, and multiple linear regressions were performed with the average amygdala volume as the dependent variable and drinking status, drinking risk, drinks per week, and binge drinking as independent variables. Drinking risk was categorized such that low-risk constituted ≤ 14 drinks per week in men and ≤ 7 drinks per week in women, while > 14 drinks per week in men and > 7 drinks per week in women constituted high-risk. Age, sex, intracranial volume, body mass index, education, and Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report score were included in all models as covariates. No statistically significant (p ≤ .05) associations were observed between self-reported alcohol consumption and amygdala volume. The present study suggests non-significant relationships between self-reported alcohol consumption and amygdala volume when controlling for relevant demographic factors in a large, community-based sample.
The association between urbanization and depression in the elderly: A network analysis from the complexity science perspective
Wang R, Su H, Xu T, Jiang W, Liu H, Wang W, Chen C, Ma X, Chen Y and Wang W
The global increase in urbanization has coincided with a rise in depression prevalence. However, the effect of urbanization on depression remains controversial, especially for the elderly.
Knowledge and perceived confidence of Brazilian psychiatrists about eating disorders´ diagnosis and treatment recommendations
Almeida MC, Segal A, Almeida C, Hiluy JC, Pedrosa MA, Nunes MA, Lemos P, Cordás T, da Silva AG and Appolinário JC
To investigate Brazilian psychiatrists ́ knowledge and perceived confidence, both in diagnosis and in evidence-based treatments for eating disorders (ED).
Quality improvement collaborative approach to COVID-19 pandemic preparedness in long-term care homes: a mixed-methods implementation study
Sorensen J, Kadowaki L, Kervin L, Hamilton C, Berndt A, Dhadda S, Irfan A, Leong E and Mithani A
The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on long-term care (LTC) homes underscores the importance of effective pandemic preparedness and response. This mixed-methods, implementation science study investigated how a virtual-based quality improvement (QI) collaborative approach can improve uptake of pandemic-related promising practices and shared learning across six LTC homes in British Columbia, Canada in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic health emergency.
Rethinking the Psychiatry Residency Curriculum for Community Psychiatry Training in Iran
Shalbafan M, Rasoulian M, Hajebi A, Ghadirivasfi M and Asadi S
A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study on Respiratory Health and Spirometry-Assessed Pulmonary Function Among Textile Workers in Tamil Nadu, India
I J NS, S S, G Y, M P and Kanakaraju K
Introduction The textile industry is one of the largest economic activities. Still, the laborers involved in it are exposed to various health-damaging air pollutants, putting them at risk of health issues including morbidities of the respiratory system. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the pulmonary function parameters of the workers involved in textile manufacturing-related jobs. Methodology A cross-sectional study was carried out among adult individuals who had been working in textile manufacturing-related jobs as their main work. The details such as sociodemographic, clinical, workplace conditions, and smoking habits were collected, as well as chest auscultation and lung spirometry using a hand-held spirometer. The participants who had normal and abnormal lung function patterns were statistically analyzed for potential influencing factors. Results The findings of the study conducted from 95 eligible participants identified that the pulmonary function parameters assessed by spirometry were in the abnormal range among 84 (88%) participants. Around 72 (82%) of them had a restrictive pattern, and six (6%) had both restrictive and obstructive (mixed) patterns of lung disease. Smokers and those who lacked cross-ventilation and/or fresh source of air in the workplace were more likely to have abnormal lung function. Participants who had their workplace and residence as same had significantly 6.44 (95% CI: 1.24, 33.36) times higher odds of having abnormal lung function in spirometry. Conclusion As workers involved in household-run textile manufacturing jobs are found to be at a higher risk of developing abnormal lung function, using personal protective equipment, following occupational safety measures, and improving the working environment to acceptable standards are essential to safeguard the respiratory health of laborers in such unorganized sectors.
Medical Students Understanding of The Scope of Plastic Surgery
Abdulaziz MKHB, Al-Jamali M, Al-Mazidi S, Albuloushi S and Al-Ali AB
 Plastic surgery has developed to benefit in a variety of challenging areas formerly handled by other disciplines. Medical students do not have a clear picture of plastic surgery as a career due to lacking scope, clinical practice, and understanding of plastic surgery as a clinical area of expertise, including general practitioners, nursing staff, medical trainees, and the general public, and misconceptions about the extent of reconstructive and plastic surgery.  A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on Kuwait University Medical students (2nd-7th Years) over a period of 1 month. A questionnaire and a consent form were provided to eligible students. The inclusion criteria were Kuwait University Medical students from 2nd to 7th Years with signed consent form. The response was collected via email sent in coordination with the Vice Dean of Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine. Using statistical package for the social sciences, responses were statistically analyzed. Pearson's chi-square test was used to calculate -values, where  < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.  A total of 244 eligible medical students, 121 males and 123 females, were included in the study, with a mean age of 21 (±2) years. Similarly, 126 (51.6%) were preclinical students (2nd-4th-year students), while 118 (48.4%) were clinical students (5th-7th-year students). About 79.8% of medical students believed that plastic surgery plays an essential role in trauma management, whereas 9.2% did not consider plastic surgery significant for trauma management. This study found that only 15.5% of medical students were interested in enrolling in plastic surgery residency after graduation, while 47.1% of students did not consider plastic surgery residency after graduation. However, 37.4% were uncertain. The two most driving factors in deciding on plastic surgery residency were expected income (61.8%) and lifestyle (14.3%).  Improving medical students' education quality can enhance their perception and awareness of plastic surgery. Students should be taught the broader scope of plastic surgery. The inclusion of formal training during undergraduation is the essence of time and should be added to or improved during plastic surgery rotations with more emphasis on reconstructive and hand/peripheral nerve surgery. Student-led interest groups can be a useful tool for educating students about their specialty.
Psychiatry and Family Medicine Residents' Likelihood of Prescribing HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to Patients with Mental Illness and HIV Vulnerability
Bunting SR, Feinstein BA, Vidyasagar N, Sheth NK, Yu R and Hazra A
People living with mental illness (PLMI) experience disproportionately high incidence of and vulnerability to HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective and safe HIV prevention method, but data regarding prescription to PLMI are lacking. Psychiatrists may serve as important points of access for PrEP prescription for PLMI.
Impact of perceived social support on psychological resilience: A comparison between medical and surgical postgraduate residents
, Arshad A, Majid K, Ahmed MB and Misbah S
To identify the predictable relationship and differences between perceived social support and psychological resilience among medical and surgical postgraduate residents.
The Impact of COVID-19 in Reshaping Graduate Medical Education: Harnessing Hybrid Learning and Virtual Training
Ben Ammer A, Bryan JL and Asghar-Ali AA
Introduction  At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many graduate medical education (GME) programs switched from in-person to virtual training to ensure a safe learning environment. However, the preferences of US residents in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic are largely unknown. Objective The authors surveyed PGY-2 psychiatry residents about their perception of the pandemic's impact on their clinical skills, didactics experience, training preferences, and future career perceptions. Methods The cross-sectional study was conducted from October 31, 2021, to December 31, 2021. The authors emailed a survey to directors of US general psychiatry residency programs to disseminate to PGY-2 residents. The survey had Likert-scale and open-ended questions about the pandemic's perceived impact on PGY-1 training and future training preferences. The authors used descriptive statistics for Likert-scale questions and reflexive thematic analysis for open-ended questions. Results Out of an estimated 1800 residents, only 116 (6.4%) participated; post-pandemic preferences emerged. A strong preference was expressed for hybrid didactics, combining in-person and virtual learning. Virtual patient evaluations, especially in emergency and inpatient settings, were highly valued. Conversely, entirely virtual didactics and clinical rounds were deemed least preferred, emphasizing the importance of interactive, hands-on learning experiences. Conclusions Respondents emphasized the significance of incorporating hybrid models for both in-patient care and didactic sessions in GME. These preferences signify the need for adaptable and flexible approaches to education in psychiatry residency programs as we emerge from the pandemic.
Navigating the intersection of psychiatry and ophthalmology: A comprehensive review of depression and anxiety management in glaucoma patients
Ramesh PV, Morya AK, Azad A, Pannerselvam P, Devadas AK, Gopalakrishnan ST, Ramesh SV and Aradhya AK
Glaucoma, a prevalent and debilitating eye disease, has long been associated with vision impairment and blindness. However, recent research has shed light on the often-underestimated psychological dimensions of this condition. Anxiety and depression, two pervasive psychiatric comorbidities, have been increasingly recognized among glaucoma patients. This comprehensive review aims to explore the intricate relationship between psychiatry and ophthalmology, in the context of managing depression and anxiety in glaucoma patients. By meticulously examining peer-reviewed literature, we synthesize current knowledge on the prevalence, risk factors, and underlying mechanisms of anxiety and depression in glaucoma. The evidence reveals that glaucoma patients face an elevated risk of experiencing these mood disorders. Factors such as progressive vision loss, complex medication regimens, and the fear of further visual deterioration contribute to their vulnerability. Moreover, we delve into the bidirectional relationship between glaucoma and mood disorders, shedding light on the complex interplay between ocular and emotional health. Our review investigates the implications of anxiety and depression on glaucoma management, including their potential impact on treatment adherence, disease progression, and overall quality of life. We also explore the neurobiological pathways linking glaucoma and mood disorders, providing a foundation for future research and potential therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, recognizing the psychological burden carried by glaucoma patients is essential for holistic and patient-centered care. This review underscores the pressing need for integrated approaches that bring together ophthalmological and psychiatric expertise to optimize the well-being of individuals facing the challenges of glaucoma. By addressing anxiety and depression in glaucoma care, healthcare providers can enhance the overall quality of life for these patients, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and a brighter future for those affected by this condition. This review offers valuable insight for healthcare practitioners and researchers, providing a concise overview of key topics and research in the field of managing depression and anxiety in glaucoma patients.
An exploration of service use pattern changes and cost analysis following implementation of community perinatal mental health teams in pregnant women with a history of specialist mental healthcare in England: a national population-based cohort study
Tassie E, Langham J, Gurol-Urganci I, van der Meulen J, Howard LM, Pasupathy D, Sharp H, Davey A, O'Mahen H, Heslin M and Byford S
The National Health Service in England pledged >£365 million to improve access to mental healthcare services via Community Perinatal Mental Health Teams (CPMHTs) and reduce the rate of perinatal relapse in women with severe mental illness. This study aimed to explore changes in service use patterns following the implementation of CPMHTs in pregnant women with a history of specialist mental healthcare in England, and conduct a cost-analysis on these changes.
Mental Health of Frontline Nurses in India During COVID-19: A Multisite Study
Sreedharan S, Benzouak T, Rao S, Islam FN, Parvathareddy N, Sachdev A and Shah S
Background  The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for all healthcare providers. Nurses in Indian hospitals are at risk for mental health consequences of COVID-19-related stress. The study aimed to evaluate the mental health responses of Indian nurses working during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Method The study was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic from November 2020 to February 2021. Frontline nurses (n=387) working in both government and private sectors were recruited from four hospital centers across Mangalore, India. Nurses were selected based on specific inclusion criteria, including active duty within wards and intensive care units designated for COVID-19 care or suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Recruitment and data collection were facilitated by medical residents using a mix of physical and electronic survey methods. Results Nurses within the private sector with low personal protective equipment (PPE) security experienced heightened anxiety. Somatic symptoms were incrementally related to mental health depending on the workplace setting; private sector staff reported greater depression symptoms compared to those in government-run hospitals. Self-efficacy buffered against depression outcomes only in nurses within the private sector working within non-COVID units. Conclusions This study's findings showed differential responses to the stress of COVID-19 based on the setting. Future studies should further explore the factors associated with such differences. Somatic symptoms can be indicators of mental health adversity. Early detection and supportive interventions need to be taken into account.
Using an Interpretable Amino Acid-Based Machine Learning Method to Enhance the Diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder
Ho CSH, Tan TWK, Khoe HCH, Chan YL, Tay GWN and Tang TB
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. At present, however, there are no established biomarkers that have been validated for diagnosing and treating MDD. This study sought to assess the diagnostic and predictive potential of the differences in serum amino acid concentration levels between MDD patients and healthy controls (HCs), integrating them into interpretable machine learning models. In total, 70 MDD patients and 70 HCs matched in age, gender, and ethnicity were recruited for the study. Serum amino acid profiling was conducted by means of chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 21 metabolites were analysed, with 17 from a preset amino acid panel and the remaining 4 from a preset kynurenine panel. Logistic regression was applied to differentiate MDD patients from HCs. The best-performing model utilised both feature selection and hyperparameter optimisation and yielded a moderate area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) classification value of 0.76 on the testing data. The top five metabolites identified as potential biomarkers for MDD were 3-hydroxy-kynurenine, valine, kynurenine, glutamic acid, and xanthurenic acid. Our study highlights the potential of using an interpretable machine learning analysis model based on amino acids to aid and increase the diagnostic accuracy of MDD in clinical practice.
Tobacco use and dependence among adults residing in an urbanized village, Delhi, India
Bhandari Y, Kishore J and Yadav A
Tobacco use is one of the most significant public health concerns globally as it is a risk factor for chronic illnesses. GATS-2 concluded that 28.6% of all adults currently use Tobacco in India and 17.8% in Delhi. It is important to conduct such surveys in local areas to make specific and effective action plans.
Clinical and neuropsychological characterization of SuperAgers residing in Delhi and National Capital Region of India-A cross-sectional study
Batra R, Kumar DA, Rao A, Kaloiya GS, Khan MA, Satapathy S, Chakrawarty A, Soni N, Kumar P and Chatterjee P
SuperAgers (SA) are older adults who exhibit cognitive capacities comparable to individuals who are three or more decades younger than them. The current study aimed to identify the characteristics of Indian SA by categorizing 55 older adults into SA and Typical Older Adults (TOA) and comparing their performance with a group of 50 younger participants (YP) (aged 25-50).
The Prevalence of Illness Anxiety Disorder Among Adults in Taif City, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abdulaziz M, Alharthi TS, Alwuthaynani MI, Althobaiti G, Alsobaie AE, Alqurashi M, Alamrai R and Ahmadjee A
Introduction Illness Anxiety Disorder (IAD), characterized by intense fear of serious illness, has been associated with performance issues at work, frequent absences, financial burdens from medical expenses, impaired daily functioning, and the onset and recurrence of coronary heart disease. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of IAD and explore its cardiac manifestations in residents of Taif City, Saudi Arabia. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in Taif City, excluding those with psychiatric illnesses. Participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire, including sociodemographic information and the validated Short Version Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) scale. Results Among 415 participants, predominantly females (60%), the study found a 25.3% prevalence of IAD. Of those with IAD, 3% were diagnosed with cardiac diseases, and 27% were hospitalized due to cardiac symptoms. Twenty-five percent exhibited normal examination results after hospitalization. Factors such as female gender (p=0.006), younger age (p=0.006), single marital status (p=0.012), and a history of hospitalization due to heart symptoms (p=0.003) were associated with higher IAD scores. Married participants had a lower risk of IAD compared to singles (OR: -2.2, 95% CI: -3.9, -0.48), while a history of hospitalization due to heart symptoms increased the risk of IAD (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 0.94, 4.7). Conclusion This study revealed a substantial prevalence of IAD in Taif City. Female gender, younger age, being single, and having a history of hospitalization due to heart symptoms were identified as determinants of IAD. Healthcare providers must recognize these disorders to prevent unnecessary investigations and treatments, redirecting patients to psychiatry for more cost-effective and beneficial interventions.
Comparison between use of a pleural drainage system with flutter valve and a conventional water-seal drainage system after lung resection: a randomized prospective study
Souza RC, Morais LLS, Ghefter MC, Franceschini JP and Pinto FCG
There is still a debate regarding the most appropriate pleural collector model to ensure a short hospital stay and minimum complications.
Understanding the Utility of Less Than Six-Month Prognosis Using Administrative Data Among U.S. Nursing Home Residents With Cancer
Vu L, Koroukian SM, Douglas SL, Fein HL, Warner DF, Schiltz NK, Cullen J, Owusu C, Sajatovic M, Rose J and Martin R
There is a dearth of studies evaluating the utility of reporting prognostication among nursing home (NH) residents with cancer.
American College of Lifestyle Medicine Expert Consensus Statement: Lifestyle Medicine for Optimal Outcomes in Primary Care
Grega ML, Shalz JT, Rosenfeld RM, Bidwell JH, Bonnet JP, Bowman D, Brown ML, Dwivedi ME, Ezinwa NM, Kelly JH, Mechley AR, Miller LA, Misquitta RK, Parkinson MD, Patel D, Patel PM, Studer KR and Karlsen MC
Identify areas of consensus on integrating lifestyle medicine (LM) into primary care to achieve optimal outcomes.
Effect of Regular Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function, Depression Level and Regulative Role of Neurotrophic Factor: A Prospective Cohort Study in the Young and the Middle-Aged Sample
Kong L, Miu L, Yao W and Shi Z
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and depressive disorder (DD), which are associated with unhealthy lifestyles, are prevalent worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular aerobic exercise on cognitive function, depression, and the regulatory role of neurotrophic growth factors for providing scientific basis in preventing MCI and DD in healthy individuals.
Climate Change and Mental Health: An Interactive Educational Session
Costin A, Fisher D, Harper B, Nahhas RW and Sullenbarger J
Climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity, with direct and indirect impacts on mental health, yet health impacts of climate change remain notably absent from most medical school curricula. We describe a timely interactive educational session on climate change and mental health that was implemented and studied on a medical student clinical psychiatry rotation.
Assessing cognitive impairment in home-dwelling Chinese elders aged 80+: a detailed survey of 13,000 participants focusing on demographic factors, social engagement, and disease prevalence
Bian S, Tian X, Meng F, Xu C, Zhao Y, Gao Q and Bian C
Cognitive Impairment (CI) in the elderly, encompassing conditions ranging from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to dementia, represents a growing public health concern globally. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and correlates of CI among individuals aged 80 and above.
Impact of inflammatory preconditioning on murine microglial proteome response induced by focal ischemic brain injury
Helbing DL, Haas F, Cirri E, Rahnis N, Dau TTD, Kelmer Sacramento E, Oraha N, Böhm L, Lajqi T, Fehringer P, Morrison H and Bauer R
Preconditioning with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces neuroprotection against subsequent cerebral ischemic injury, mainly involving innate immune pathways. Microglia are resident immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that respond early to danger signals through memory-like differential reprogramming. However, the cell-specific molecular mechanisms underlying preconditioning are not fully understood. To elucidate the distinct molecular mechanisms of preconditioning on microglia, we compared these cell-specific proteomic profiles in response to LPS preconditioning and without preconditioning and subsequent transient focal brain ischemia and reperfusion, - using an established mouse model of transient focal brain ischemia and reperfusion. A proteomic workflow, based on isolated microglia obtained from mouse brains by cell sorting and coupled to mass spectrometry for identification and quantification, was applied. Our data confirm that LPS preconditioning induces marked neuroprotection, as indicated by a significant reduction in brain infarct volume. The established brain cell separation method was suitable for obtaining an enriched microglial cell fraction for valid proteomic analysis. The results show a significant impact of LPS preconditioning on microglial proteome patterns by type I interferons, presumably driven by the interferon cluster regulator proteins signal transducer and activator of transcription1/2 (STAT1/2).
Folk psychological attributions of consciousness to large language models
Colombatto C and Fleming SM
Technological advances raise new puzzles and challenges for cognitive science and the study of how humans think about and interact with artificial intelligence (AI). For example, the advent of large language models and their human-like linguistic abilities has raised substantial debate regarding whether or not AI could be conscious. Here, we consider the question of whether AI could have subjective experiences such as feelings and sensations ('phenomenal consciousness'). While experts from many fields have weighed in on this issue in academic and public discourse, it remains unknown whether and how the general population attributes phenomenal consciousness to AI. We surveyed a sample of US residents ( = 300) and found that a majority of participants were willing to attribute some possibility of phenomenal consciousness to large language models. These attributions were robust, as they predicted attributions of mental states typically associated with phenomenality-but also flexible, as they were sensitive to individual differences such as usage frequency. Overall, these results show how folk intuitions about AI consciousness can diverge from expert intuitions-with potential implications for the legal and ethical status of AI.
Perceived stress, burnout, and resilience among healthcare workers in a multiple disaster-impacted setting during the COVID-19 pandemic
Imtiyaz BS, Margoob MA, Roub Mbbs F and Imtiaz M
Current literature on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research presents gaps and opportunities to investigate the psychological experiences of healthcare workers (HCWs) serving in mass trauma situations. We aimed to measure perceived stress, burnout, and resilience in Kashmiri HCWs and explore the relationship of burnout with sociodemographic, work-related, and pandemic-related factors.
Exploring the prevalence and predictors of low resilience and likely PTSD in residents of two provinces in Canada during the 2023 wildfires
Adu MK, Shalaby R, Agyapong B, Dias RDL and Agyapong VIO
The recent wildfires in Canada serve as a stark example of the substantial and enduring harm they cause to the health of individuals and communities. Assessing the prevalence and correlates of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and low resilience is valuable for policymakers in public health.
Evaluation of Met and Unmet Needs in Patients with Severe Psychiatric Disorders and its Relation to the Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study
Mohebbi F, Alavi K, Jalali Nadoushan AH, Saeidi M, Mahdiar M, Bakhshijoibari F and Malakouti SK
Paying attention to the needs of patients with psychiatric disorders has recently come into focus. Failure to meet the needs of patients can affect their quality of life. This study aimed to determine the main areas of the needs of patients with severe psychiatric disorders and evaluate their relationship with the quality of life.
Unraveling the enigma: housekeeping gene as a universal biomarker for microglia
Kim W, Kim M and Kim B
Microglia, brain resident macrophages, play multiple roles in maintaining homeostasis, including immunity, surveillance, and protecting the central nervous system through their distinct activation processes. Identifying all types of microglia-driven populations is crucial due to the presence of various phenotypes that differ based on developmental stages or activation states. During embryonic development, the E8.5 yolk sac contains erythromyeloid progenitors that go through different growth phases, eventually resulting in the formation of microglia. In addition, microglia are present in neurological diseases as a diverse population. So far, no individual biomarker for microglia has been discovered that can accurately identify and monitor their development and attributes.
Perceived opportunities of clinical reasoning learning in postgraduate psychiatry training: Trainees' and faculty's perspectives
Albahari D
Learning clinical reasoning is less effective in isolation of clinical environments because contextual factors are a significant component in the clinical reasoning process. This study investigated the differences in opinions between novice and expert clinicians on learning clinical reasoning in the workplace.
[Patient-related stressful experiences in psychiatry residency]
Hendrickx A, Pattyn T and Sienaert P
Residents in psychiatry can be confronted with patient-related stressful experiences which can be impactful. Guidelines for dealing with these are lacking.
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