Digitally Driven Short- and Intermediate-term Courses of Primary Care Psychiatry for Doctors: A Theme-based Analysis and Performance Audit.

Background: The National Mental Health Survey of India 2015-2016 identified a substantial treatment gap in mental healthcare, emphasizing the urgent need for improved training of primary care doctors (PCDs) in managing psychiatric disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three digitally delivered primary care psychiatry courses offered by the department of psychiatry in a tertiary neuropsychiatric center: the Certificate Course in Primary Mental Healthcare (CCPMH), the Diploma in Community Mental Health (DCMH), and the Diploma in Primary Care Psychiatry (DPCP).

Methods: Based on the board of studies documents, including curriculum, delivery methods, accreditation criteria, and outcomes, a comparative and thematic analysis of the courses was conducted.

NAMAH-An Innovative Tele-ECHO Mentoring Program to Foster Well-being Among Physicians.

Background: The current study aimed to develop and implement the National Assistance in Mental Health for Health Care Providers (NAMAH) module, which focused on wellness and building resilience for a cohort of physicians.

Methods: The NAMAH module is a 12-week tele-mentoring program leveraging videoconference technology that uses the ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcome) HUB and SPOKE and consists of real-life case discussions and a brief didactic. The module's content was developed after iterative feedback from experts and incorporated suggestions from healthcare providers (HCPs) following a needs assessment.

Family Intervention Models for Young Adults with Substance Abuse: A Systematic Review.

Background: Substance abuse among young adults is a significant public health concern with detrimental consequences for individuals, families, and society. Family interventions have emerged as promising treatment approaches for addressing substance abuse in this population. This systematic review aims to synthesize the existing evidence on the efficacy of family interventions for young adults with substance abuse.

Digital phenotyping correlates of mobile cognitive measures in schizophrenia: A multisite global mental health feasibility trial.

Traditional cognitive assessments in schizophrenia are time-consuming and necessitate specialized training, making routine evaluation challenging. To overcome these limitations, this study investigates the feasibility and advantages of utilizing smartphone-based assessments to capture both cognitive functioning and digital phenotyping data and compare these results to gold standard measures. We conducted a secondary analysis of data from 76 individuals with schizophrenia, who were recruited across three sites (one in Boston, two in India) was conducted.

Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Chhattisgarh: Findings from National Mental Health Survey.

Background: Psychiatric disorders are among the leading contributors to disability in India and worldwide. The pattern, prevalence, and distribution of psychiatric disorders in the country and its regions need to be assessed to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. No study on the epidemiology of psychiatric disorders has been conducted in the Chhattisgarh state.

Development and Validation of Brief Family Intervention for Young Adults with Substance Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Substance abuse is more prevalent in young adults, putting them at risk for chronic use and early onset of dependence on substances. A well-documented relationship exists between substance use and poor family functioning. Traditional family intervention approaches are time-consuming.

A descriptive study of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs.

Background Objectives: The seroprevalence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in general population is higher than that of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in India. People who inject drugs (PWIDs) constitute a high-risk group for all blood-borne infections. Multiple behavioural surveillance surveys have provided a rich typology of HIV-infected PWIDs, but this information is missing for HCV infection.

Mental Health Programme in India: Has the tide really turned?

Mental disorders in India form a major public health concern and the efforts to tackle these dates back to four decades, by way of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and its operational arm, the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP). Although the progress of NMHP (and DMHP) was relatively slower till recently, the last 4-5 years have seen rapid strides with several initiatives, including (i) expansion of DMHPs to 90 per cent of the total districts of the country, (ii) the National Mental Health Policy and (iii) strengthening the Mental Health Legislation by way of providing explicit provisions for rights of persons with mental illnesses. Among others, factors responsible for this accelerated growth include the easily accessible digital technology as well as judicial activism.

Quantification of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in urine as a marker of cannabis abuse.

Background Objectives: Cannabis use has long been associated with celebration and hospitality, although abuse must be confirmed through testing. It has always been difficult to develop an accurate and reliable confirmatory method for the quantification of tetrahydrocannabinol carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) that meets local requirements. The goal was to develop a rapid, cost-effective analytical technique that can handle large batches.

Design, development and pilot testing of 'Quest', a smartphone-based relapse prevention app for patients with alcohol dependence.

Objective: To design, develop and pilot the 'Quest' app for smartphone-based relapse prevention for patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS).

Methods: Principles of relapse prevention and motivation enhancement were used to develop the Quest App. Four addiction psychiatrists reviewed the app using the "app evaluation framework".

Development of a Personalized Tobacco Cessation Intervention Package (PTCIP) for Persons with Schizophrenia in India.

Background: Among persons with schizophrenia (PwS), tobacco use is higher in comparison to the general population, contributing to greater morbidity and mortality. Pharmacological interventions combined with psychosocial interventions are effective in tobacco cessation. While the effectiveness of extant psychosocial interventions-when used in isolation-seems limited, developing better combinations of interventions could help treatment providers deliver tobacco cessation services to PwS at different stages of motivation to quit.

Compliance with Section 7 (2) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003, Ban of Sale of Loose Tobacco, in Karnataka: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Banning smoking in public places has considerably reduced the number of smokers. However, the sale of loose tobacco encourages tobacco use. There is limited data on compliance with section 7(2) of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, concerning the ban on loose tobacco sales in India.

Prevalence and severity of tobacco use and access to tobacco cessation among tertiary care psychiatric in-patients in India.

Background: Rates of smoking in persons with mental illness are reported to be two times higher than those without mental illness in developed countries. We aimed to examine the prevalence and severity of tobacco use, and access to tobacco cessation services among tertiary care psychiatric in-patients in India.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 500 consecutive adult in-patients in tertiary care with ICD 10 diagnoses, F20-59, were administered a sociodemographic and clinical proforma, Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, Tobacco Craving Questionnaire, Reasons for quitting questionnaire, and Smoke Scale-Adults.

Relapse prediction in schizophrenia with smartphone digital phenotyping during COVID-19: a prospective, three-site, two-country, longitudinal study.

Smartphone technology provides us with a more convenient and less intrusive method of detecting changes in behavior and symptoms that typically precede schizophrenia relapse. To take advantage of the aforementioned, this study examines the feasibility of predicting schizophrenia relapse by identifying statistically significant anomalies in patient data gathered through mindLAMP, an open-source smartphone app. Participants, recruited in Boston, MA in the United States, and Bangalore and Bhopal in India, were invited to use mindLAMP for up to a year.

A qualitative exploration of perceived needs and barriers of individuals with schizophrenia, caregivers and clinicians in using mental health applications in Madhya Pradesh, India.

Introduction: About 3.5 million people are living with schizophrenia in India, with most failing to receive minimally adequate care. Digital mental health applications could potentially decrease this treatment gap; however, these applications should be tailored to meet the needs and overcoming barriers of its end-users to ensure their adoption and sustained usage.

Effectiveness of personalized tobacco cessation intervention package among patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders - A two-group experimental study.

Introduction: Persons with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders (PwS) smoke more, and have twice the rate of mortality, with 10-25 years lower life expectancy than the general population. Evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions would help in quitting.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized tobacco cessation intervention package for patients attending the outpatient psychiatry department.

Smartphone digital phenotyping, surveys, and cognitive assessments for global mental health: Initial data and clinical correlations from an international first episode psychosis study.

Objective: To examine feasibility and acceptability of smartphone mental health app use for symptom, cognitive, and digital phenotyping monitoring among people with schizophrenia in India and the United States.

Methods: Participants in Boston, USA and Bhopal and Bangalore, India used a smartphone app to monitor symptoms, play cognitive games, access relaxation and psychoeducation resources and for one month, with an initial clinical and cognitive assessment and a one-month follow-up clinical assessment. Engagement with the app was compared between study sites, by clinical symptom severity and by cognitive functioning.

Management of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome in Patients with Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a common condition that is seen in treatment-seeking patients with Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and alcoholic liver disease (ALD). AWS, which typically starts within 4-6 h of the last alcohol use, can range from mild symptoms such as insomnia, tremors, and autonomic hyperactivity to more severe symptoms such as seizures and delirium tremens. Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale-Alcohol Revised (CIWA-Ar) is the most commonly used scale to assess AWS in clinical practice.

Management of Alcohol Use Disorder in Patients With Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a common condition that develops on the background of heavy alcohol use and is characterised by the loss of control over alcohol use and a compulsion to use alcohol, often despite negative consequences. AUD is a leading cause for the resumption of alcohol use in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) after treatment. Hence it is essential to screen all patients with ALD for the presence of AUD.

Impact of Technology Driven Mental Health Task-shifting for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs): Results from a Randomised Controlled Trial of Two Methods of Training.

Mental health task shifting is a potential way to address the burgeoning treatment gap for mental illness. Easily available and accessible digital technology can be utilised to continuously engage grassroot level health workers (for example, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). However, the impact of such a strategy is not yet systematically evaluated.

Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Based Telementoring of Physicians for Dementia-Effectiveness in India.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a program based on the telementoring model [Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO)] for primary care physicians in diagnosing and treating patients with dementia.

Method: The ECHO model was adapted through 12 live sessions of 2 h every 2 weeks consisting of a didactic presentation by the expert, peer-led new case discussions, and follow-up discussions. In addition, there were 10 h of self-paced e-learning and interim assignments.

Impact of Covid-19 on Caller Characteristics and Quit Rates: Experience of Regional Tobacco Quitline From India.

Background: The tobacco epidemic is a major health concern amplified by Covid-19. We aimed to study differences in caller profiles to the regional tobacco quitline services of South India during the Covid-19 pandemic in comparison with the prepandemic.

Method: Using a descriptive cross-sectional research design, we examined registered caller profiles to the quitline between March and July 2019 (Prepandemic N = 7845) and the same months in 2020 (Covid-19 pandemic phase N = 6447) phases.

Cross cultural and global uses of a digital mental health app: results of focus groups with clinicians, patients and family members in India and the United States.

Background: Despite significant advancements in healthcare technology, digital health solutions - especially those for serious mental illnesses - continue to fall short of their potential across both clinical practice and efficacy. The utility and impact of medicine, including digital medicine, hinges on relationships, trust, and engagement, particularly in the field of mental health. This paper details results from Phase 1 of a two-part study that seeks to engage people with schizophrenia, their family members, and clinicians in co-designing a digital mental health platform for use across different cultures and contexts in the United States and India.