AlcoChange: A digital therapeutic for patients with alcohol-related liver disease.

Background & Aims: Maintenance of abstinence in alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is a major unmet therapeutic need. Digital therapeutics can deliver ongoing behavioural therapy, in real-time, for chronic conditions. The aim of this project was to develop and clinically test AlcoChange, a novel digital therapeutic for ARLD.

Impact of COVID-19 on patient experience of kidney care: a rapid review.

Introduction: In March 2020, a pandemic state was declared due to SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19). Patients with kidney disease, especially those on replacement therapies, proved more susceptible to severe infection. This rapid literature review aims to help understand how the pandemic impacted patient experience of kidney care.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on services for patients with chronic kidney disease: findings of a national survey of UK kidney centres.

Background: Services for patients with kidney disease underwent radical adaptations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We undertook an online national survey of UK kidney centres to understand the nature, range, and degree of variation in these changes and to explore factors contributing to differing practice.

Methods: The survey was designed by a multidisciplinary team of kidney professionals, service users and researchers.

Burnout and long COVID among the UK nephrology workforce: results from a national survey investigating the impact of COVID-19 on working lives.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is placing a significant strain on healthcare. We conducted a national survey of the UK nephrology workforce to understand its impacts on their working lives.

Methods: An online questionnaire incorporating the Maslach Burnout Inventory score was distributed between 31 March and 1 May 2021, with a focus on COVID-19 and long COVID incidence, vaccine uptake, burnout and working patterns.

The Cares of Life Project (CoLP): an exploratory randomised controlled trial of a community-based intervention for black people with common mental disorder.

Background: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a needs-led, community-based intervention for treating individuals from black minority ethnic (BME) groups with common mental disorders.

Method: Forty eligible individuals from BME groups were randomised to a needs-led package of care (therapy based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy and ethnically matched therapists, advocacy and mentoring; 'rapid access') or to a 3-month waiting list control with information on local mental health services ('standard access').

Results: At 3-month follow-up, individuals in the rapid access group showed significantly improved levels of depression (GHQ-28 adjusted p<0.

Integrated care for co-occurring disorders: psychiatric symptoms, social functioning, and service costs at 18 months.

Objective: Persons with severe mental illness have high rates of comorbid substance use disorders. These co-occurring disorders present a significant challenge to community mental health services, and few clinical trials are available to guide the development of effective services for this population. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a program for case managers that trained them to manage substance use disorders among persons with severe mental illness.

Ethnic differences in mental health service use among patients with psychotic disorders.

Background: There are concerns that ethnic minority patients are over-represented in inpatient mental health settings, but under-utilise community services. This study aims to compare the use of community mental health services between African-Caribbean and White patients with psychosis, before and after the introduction of new community services, and to investigate their impact on inpatient treatment.

Methods: The sample was drawn from epidemiologically representative patients with psychotic disorders living in two catchment areas in South London, one of which was developing intensive community treatments.