Societal and organisational influences on implementation of mental health peer support work in low-income and high-income settings: a qualitative focus group study.

Objectives: Despite the established evidence base for mental health peer support work, widespread implementation remains a challenge. This study aimed to explore societal and organisational influences on the implementation of peer support work in low-income and high-income settings.

Design: Study sites conducted two focus groups in local languages at each site, using a topic guide based on a conceptual framework describing eight peer support worker (PSW) principles and five implementation issues.

Challenges to peer support in low- and middle-income countries during COVID-19.

Background: A recent editorial urged those working in global mental health to "change the conversation" on coronavirus disease (Covid-19) by putting more focus on the needs of people with severe mental health conditions. UPSIDES (Using Peer Support In Developing Empowering mental health Services) is a six-country consortium carrying out implementation research on peer support for people with severe mental health conditions in high- (Germany, Israel), lower middle- (India) and low-income (Tanzania, Uganda) settings. This commentary briefly outlines some of the key challenges faced by UPSIDES sites in low- and middle-income countries as a result of Covid-19, sharing early lessons that may also apply to other services seeking to address the needs of people with severe mental health conditions in similar contexts.

Estimation of Eye Lens Dose During Brain Scans Using Gafchromic Xr-QA2 Film in Various Multidetector CT Scanners.

The purpose of this study was to estimate eye lens dose during brain scans in 16-, 64-, 128- and 256-slice multidetector computed tomography (CT) scanners in helical acquisition mode and to test the feasibility of using radiochromic film as eye lens dosemeter during CT scanning. Eye lens dose measurements were performed using Gafchromic XR-QA2 film on a polystyrene head phantom designed with outer dimensions equivalent to the head size of a reference Indian man. The response accuracy of XR-QA2 film was validated by using thermoluminescence dosemeters.

Radiological safety status and quality assurance audit of medical X-ray diagnostic installations in India.

We conducted a radiological safety and quality assurance (QA) audit of 118 medical X-ray diagnostic machines installed in 45 major hospitals in India. The main objective of the audit was to verify compliance with the regulatory requirements stipulated by the national regulatory body. The audit mainly covered accuracy check of accelerating potential (kVp), linearity of tube current (mA station) and timer, congruence of radiation and optical field, and total filtration; in addition, we also reviewed medical X-ray diagnostic installations with reference to room layout of X-ray machines and conduct of radiological protection survey.