Real-world occupational therapy interventions for early-stage dementia: Characteristics and contextual barriers.

Aim: There is an absence of evidence generated in a UK context to support interventions based on occupational therapists' core skills for people living with early-stage dementia. To inform the development of a programme theory and a future evaluation, this paper aimed to describe real-world (routine) community-based occupational therapy interventions for this population and contextual barriers.

Method: Occupational therapy practitioners ( = 21) from five Health Boards in Wales, UK participated in semi-structured interviews ( = 17) which were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically.

Experiences and views of people who frequently call emergency ambulance services: A qualitative study of UK service users.

Introduction: People who call emergency ambulances frequently are often vulnerable because of health and social circumstances, have unresolved problems or cannot access appropriate care. They have higher mortality rates. Case management by interdisciplinary teams can help reduce demand for emergency services and is available in some UK regions.

Exploring the use of social network interventions for adults with mental health difficulties: a systematic review and narrative synthesis.

Background: People with mental health difficulties often experience social isolation. The importance of interventions to enhance social networks and reduce this isolation is increasingly being recognised. However, the literature has not yet been systematically reviewed with regards to how these are best used.

Posttraumatic growth related to the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with lived experience of psychiatric disorder.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to be detrimental to mental health, it may hold a parallel potential for positive change. Little is known about posttraumatic growth (PTG) as a potential outcome for individuals with lived experience of psychiatric disorders following trauma exposure, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were 1,424 adults with lived experience of a psychiatric disorder who took part in a longitudinal study of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic conducted by the National Centre for Mental Health.

Trauma exposure and co-occurring ICD-11 post-traumatic stress disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder in adults with lived experience of psychiatric disorder.

Objective: To establish factors associated with ICD-11 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD) in a large sample of adults with lived experience of psychiatric disorder and examine the psychiatric burden associated with the two disorders.

Methods: One thousand three hundred and five adults were recruited from the National Centre for Mental Health (NCMH) cohort. ICD-11 PTSD/CPTSD were assessed with the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ).

COVID-19-related posttraumatic stress disorder in adults with lived experience of psychiatric disorder.

Background: Prevalence estimates of COVID-19-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have ranged from 1% to over 60% in the general population. Individuals with lived experience of a psychiatric disorder may be particularly vulnerable to COVID-19-related PTSD but this has received inadequate attention.

Methods: Participants were 1571 adults with lived experience of psychiatric disorder who took part in a longitudinal study of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

STRategies to manage Emergency ambulance Telephone Callers with sustained High needs: an Evaluation using linked Data (STRETCHED) - a study protocol.

Introduction: UK ambulance services have identified a concern with high users of the 999 service and have set up 'frequent callers' services, ranging from within-service management to cross-sectoral multidisciplinary case management approaches. There is little evidence about how to address the needs of this patient group.

Aim: To evaluate effectiveness, safety and efficiency of case management approaches to the care of people who frequently call the emergency ambulance service, and gain an understanding of barriers and facilitators to implementation.

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in individuals with pre-existing mental illness.

Background: There is evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected mental health, but most studies have been conducted in the general population.

Aims: To identify factors associated with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with pre-existing mental illness.

Method: Participants (N = 2869, 78% women, ages 18-94 years) from a UK cohort (the National Centre for Mental Health) with a history of mental illness completed a cross-sectional online survey in June to August 2020.

Assessing the effectiveness of social network interventions for adults with a diagnosis of mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of impact.

Background: Social connections have been linked to the genesis and amelioration of mental health problems and thus have potential therapeutic value.

Purpose: To identify the current evidence base, assess risk of bias and synthesise findings on the effectiveness of social network interventions for people with mental health problems.

Methods: Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus) and grey literature databases were systematically searched from inception to October 2021 using free text syntax combining synonyms for 'mental health problems' and 'social network interventions'.

Scalp malignant trichilemmal tumour with bony erosion: a new clinical entity.

Trichilemmoma is a benign tumour which arises from the hair follicle root sheath, and commonly occurs in the head and neck area. Malignant transformation and locally aggressive growth of these tumours are very rare. Surgical excision remains the mainstay of management, with scarce evidence for other treatment modalities.

What are emergency ambulance services doing to meet the needs of people who call frequently? A national survey of current practice in the United Kingdom.

Background: Emergency ambulance services are integral to providing a service for those with unplanned urgent and life-threatening health conditions. However, high use of the service by a small minority of patients is a concern. Our objectives were to describe: service-wide and local policies or pathways for people classified as Frequent Caller; call volume; and results of any audit or evaluation.

Priority setting in research: user led mental health research.

Plain English Summary: Involving people in health research is increasingly recognised as being important to make sure that research is focused more on the needs of people who use health services. At present, ideas about what should be researched most often comes from researchers and/or health professionals like doctors and nurses rather than people with a lived experience of mental illness. In this study, we will talk with this group of people from across Wales to explore what they think research into their health services should focus on.