Socioeconomic status at birth and risk for first episode psychosis in rural Ireland: Eliminating the features of urbanicity in the Cavan-Monaghan First Episode Psychosis Study (CAMFEPS).

Background: There is a paucity of research on the relationship between social environment at birth and risk for psychosis in rural settings. This study examined the relationship between individual- and neighbourhood-level socioeconomic indicators proximal to the time of birth and risk for a first psychotic episode in a rural context using a prospective dataset of unusual epidemiological completeness.

Methods: A matched case-control design was used.

General practitioners' opinions and attitudes towards medical assessment of fitness to drive of older adults in Ireland.

Objective: The study sought to assess opinions and attitudes of general practitioners (GPs) in Ireland towards fitness to drive (FTD) assessment in people older than 65 years old as well as to gather information on current assessment practices.

Method: A postal-based cross-sectional survey was carried out with 603 GP practices randomly selected using the Irish College of General Practitioners database.

Results: Response rate was 42.

Neighbourhood-level socio-environmental factors and incidence of first episode psychosis by place at onset in rural Ireland: the Cavan-Monaghan First Episode Psychosis Study [CAMFEPS].

Background: Little is known about associations between the social environment and risk for psychosis within rural settings. This study sought to investigate whether such associations exist within a rural context using a prospective dataset of unusual epidemiological completeness.

Method: Using the Cavan-Monaghan First Episode Psychosis Study database of people aged 16 years and older, both ecological analyses and multilevel modelling were applied to investigate associations between incidence of psychosis by place at onset and socio-environmental risk factors of material deprivation, social fragmentation and urban-rural classification across electoral divisions.

Psychiatrists in their eyes: Children's drawings of what a psychiatrist looks like.

Drawings can be used as an important tool to measure children's perception and emotions. Using a qualitative design, we asked a group of 24 school children (10 boys and 14 girls) aged 11-12 to draw their impressions of psychiatrists. In the majority of drawings, psychiatrists were portrayed as a friendly or kind figure.

Benzodiazepine and Z-drug Prescribing for Elderly People in a General Hospital: A Complete Audit Cycle.

Background: Use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in the elderly is associated with adverse outcomes such as increased risk of falls and fractures and cognitive impairment. We aimed to assess the prescribing practice of benzodiazepine and Z-drugs in those aged over 65 years in a general hospital against evidence based standards and to examine the effects of multidisciplinary feedback, as well as determine the prevalence of usage.

Methods: All case-notes and medication charts of patients over the age of sixty five on surgical and medical wards in Sligo General Hospital (SGH) were retrieved and analysed over a two-day period in 2008.

Early intervention in psychosis: service models worldwide and the Irish experience.

This paper examines the concept of early intervention in psychosis at primary and secondary prevention levels. Examples of early intervention service models from different countries are presented and we discuss current evidence for efficacy. We highlight the Irish experience of early intervention to date, and discuss future implementation of early intervention services in Ireland.