Tracking the 3-year trajectory of referrals to an early psychosis intervention service.

Aim: To review the baseline and clinical characteristics of patients referred to a New Zealand Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) service across a 4-year timeframe.

Method: We compared two cohorts, and identified variables associated with being accepted or declined, and reasons for decline, by an EPI service between 2013 and 2017.

Results: There were 576 people with suspected psychosis referred to the EPI service for assessment: 300 (52%) were accepted, 221 (38%) declined and 55 (10%) were not processed.

Psychiatric trainees' experiences of workplace violence: qualitative analysis.

Aims And Method: We aimed to explore experiences of workplace violence in a New Zealand sample of psychiatric trainees and to identify barriers to achieving safe practice and ways of enhancing workplace safety. In a qualitative study, we used interpretive description to inform and design in-depth exploration of participants' experiences. We interviewed 12 psychiatric trainees.

A bite of dark chocolate? Black humour in mental health services.

Objective: Black humour permits expression of what may otherwise be unspeakable and is observed and used by staff working in mental health services. The aim of this study was to identify how humour, particularly black humour, was perceived by different health professionals in psychiatric practice.

Methods: Participants were invited to complete a survey.

Value of Schwartz Rounds in promoting the emotional well-being of healthcare workers: a qualitative study.

Objectives: Schwartz Rounds are forums that enable healthcare staff to reflect on emotional and social dimensions of their work. In this study, we aimed to explore the experiences of Schwartz Rounds on emotional aspects of care and practice within a clinical environment.

Design: Using qualitative methods, we interviewed participants individually and in focus groups.

Modelling vulnerability: qualitative study of the Balint process for medical students.

Background: Health professionals in training may be overwhelmed by the emotional dimensions of their work. Balint groups have been proposed as an intervention to support students to process emotional aspects their encounters with patients. The aim of this study was to explore medical students' emotional experiences of a Balint group during their psychiatry attachment.

Stigma in Consultation Liaison Psychiatry: A Qualitative Study of Trainee Psychiatrists.

Objective: Stigma related to mental illness can impact service-user care and clinician wellbeing. The aim of this study was to explore experiences of stigma in consultation-liaison psychiatry from the perspectives of trainee psychiatrists and suggest interventions to tackle stigma within a hospital environment.

Method: Ethics approval and consent were obtained for the study.

Audit of acute psychiatric presentations during New Zealand's first COVID-19 national lockdown.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to identify service user demographic and clinical characteristics of an acute mental health service in South Auckland during the first New Zealand coronavirus-related lockdown.

Method: We conducted a clinical audit of a sample of service users presenting to a district health board's acute adult mental health service during New Zealand's level-4 lockdown in 2020 and made comparisons to a sample from 2019. We identified demographic factors, living situation, mode of referral, mode of assessment, diagnosis, substance use, risks, stressors, use of mental health act legislation and follow-up.

The conduct of inquiries: a qualitative study of the perspectives of panel members who investigate mental health related homicide.

Background: Inquiries into mental health related homicides may be held to identify failures in care and areas for improvement, accountability and to enhance public confidence. However, inquiries do not always achieve these aims.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of members of inquiry panels who conduct inquiries into mental health related homicides in order to identify elements that would constitute a good inquiry.

Clinicians' experiences of inquiries following mental health related homicide: a qualitative study.

Objectives: This aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of clinicians involved with inquiries into the mental health care of patients who were perpetrators of homicide in New Zealand.

Methods: Our purposive sample comprised ten clinicians working in New Zealand district health board mental health services. These clinicians were individually interviewed.

Mental Health Inquiries in the Case of Homicide.

We aimed to identify features of New Zealand government-commissioned inquiries into the provision of mental health services after homicides committed by service users. The analysis of five reports from 1992 to 2016 identified similarities across reports, which included documenting a process; responding to a set terms of reference; detailing a case chronology, risk assessment, team and system issues; making recommendations and giving opportunities to clinicians to respond to adverse comments. Differences included selecting key informants and acknowledging limitations of scope.

Families of victims of homicide: qualitative study of their experiences with mental health inquiries.

Background: Investigations may be undertaken into mental healthcare related homicides to ascertain if lessons can be learned to prevent the chance of recurrence. Families of victims are variably involved in serious incident reviews. Their perspectives on the inquiry process have rarely been studied.

Psychological states of COVID-19 quarantine.

The psychological effects of mass quarantine following the COVID-19 lockdown are likely to be significant. Emotional and behavioural responses to quarantine are related to a psychological state of anxiety. These and other emotions are normal and may even be adaptive.

A Narrative Review of Discrimination Experienced by Medical Students.

Introduction: The aim of this review was to clarify the nature of discrimination experienced by medical students and identify institutional responses and directions for future research.

Method: A narrative literature review of first-hand experiences of discrimination reported by medical students across a 10-year time period.

Results: Twenty-five reports with different methodologies were included.

Documenting psychiatric risk: more than ticking boxes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to audit the completion of risk assessment documentation by staff working within an acute adult mental health setting.

Method: Fifty risk assessment forms in a district health board's acute adult mental health service were audited for completion. Clinicians provided verbal feedback on the audit results.

Appreciative Inquiry in Psychiatry Peer Groups.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore the feasibility of using appreciative inquiry in a peer group of psychiatry residents.

Methods: A peer coaching exercise using appreciative inquiry was modeled to a group of psychiatry residents who practised the approach. The topics discussed in separate sessions 1 month apart were values and identity as a psychiatrist, dealing with conflict and working within the psychiatric system.

The crucible of early career psychiatry.

Objective: To capture the voices of psychiatrists as they reflect on challenges at the early stages of the career trajectory.

Method: Early career psychiatrists contributed reflections that identified various challenges in the transition from trainee to consultant psychiatrist.

Results: Common difficulties included negotiating role transition and conflict.

Transforming an idea into a scholarly project.

Objectives: This article describes components of a workshop designed to orientate psychiatric trainees to the task of conducting a scholarly project. The aims are: to promote an approach that incorporates principles of adult learning to guide trainees who are undertaking research; to allow trainees to transform their ideas into more tangible research questions; and to enable supervisors to reflect on delivering similar content in scholarly project workshops.

Methods: The workshop comprised: creating a safe space to explore ideas; discussing the process of posing a question or hypothesis; using group interactions to generate concepts; and considering personal values that influence the choice of research methodology to answer a question.

Leadership mindset in mental health.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore the concept of mindset for psychiatrists who are considering stepping into the leadership arena.

Methods: Qualitative themes were extracted from dialogue on leadership development at a Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists forum for early career psychiatrists.

Results: Three key themes were identified: adapting to a professional identity as psychiatrists; developing a mindset for leadership; and acting intentionally to seek opportunities for leadership.

Supervising trainees in research: what does it take to be a scholarly project supervisor?

Objectives: Scholarly projects (SPs) are a compulsory component of psychiatry training in Australasia. This article outlines the role of a research supervisor in supporting a trainee to complete an SP.

Methods: A total of 10 old age and forensic psychiatry SPs were reviewed with regard to aims, methodology, supervisor input, trainee tasks and additional resources.

Thinking on writing a critical essay.

Objective: To provide a strategy for writing a critical essay for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists examination using a sample question.

Conclusion: To prepare for writing a critical essay, candidates are advised to read widely and critically, to practise writing essays with a clear structure under examination conditions and seek constructive critique from colleagues. This will help them to write succinctly and develop a reasoned argument that is relevant to the quotation.

Things I wish I'd known: desiderata for early career psychiatrists.

Objective: The objective of this study was to disseminate advice imparted to early career psychiatrists by a panel of senior colleagues at a Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists symposium, reflecting on things they wished they had known at the earlier stage in their careers.

Methods: Key themes were extracted from notes taken at the symposium, where opinions were expressed by three senior psychiatrists.

Results: There are components in building a sustainable career as a psychiatrist, which include considering one's work environment and relationships with colleagues; self-care, mentorship and reflective practice; and seeking opportunities to teach and research for career progression.

The infant observation task as a tool in psychiatric practice.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the method and relevance of infant observation as a unique and powerful learning tool for psychiatrists.

Conclusion: Infant observation provides a privileged entry into an infant's internal world to observe its earliest mental life. Weekly consecutive observations of the mother-baby dyad, combined with the process of supervision, enable identification of emergent and changing patterns in the relationship.