Flavel MJ, Holmes A, Ellen S, Khanna R

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether consultation liaison psychiatric service (CLS) staffing within Australian public hospitals meet national and international minimum staffing standards.

Method

Semi structured interviews were conducted with CLS Directors across Australia from August to December 2021. Data were collected on demographics, staffing, funding, hospital size and admissions.

Results

The majority of services did not meet minimum standards for CLS staffing. Non-medical staff outnumbered medical staff with increasing rurality. Psych-oncology CLS had the greatest resources, skill mix and service breadth.

Conclusion

Although CLS are heterogeneous, most services are inadequately resourced to provide baseline specialist mental health care in Australian hospitals. Establishing national minimum standards for CLS staffing will facilitate uniform service development and quality care provision.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10398562221143930?utm_source=selligent&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&utm_term=&m_i=B6iZ1KxRiqP1K%2BgY4n0xSZrXz5x8wZYHQwV%2BwwZkwRcCmLLy7QN0z7dIXs%2BVDUiMC38Z8dyZKcNXs_PlCPcVL3kCW9kYgK4uYgdiB3&M_BT=990614048623827&fbclid=IwAR0cmeprAYGyNdt42ZcDaP31T61FH_FUBmeqesWdoQIzB1K_wr46dQ9Jn-s

Our research on the impact of quarantine on frontline workers #research #covid #quarantine
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/10/5853

Abstract

Objective: The current study investigated the experiences, wellbeing impacts, and coping strategies of frontline workers who participated in Hotels for Heroes, an Australian voluntary hotel quarantine program during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was open to those who were COVID-19 positive or exposed to COVID-19 as part of their profession.
Methods: Frontline workers who had stayed in voluntary quarantine between April 2020 and March 2021 were invited to participate in a voluntary, anonymous, cross-sectional online survey including both quantitative and qualitative responses. Complete responses were collected from 106 participants, which included data on sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, experiences of the Hotels for Heroes program, and validated mental health measures.
Results: Mental health problems were prevalent amongst frontline workers (e.g., moderate anxiety symptoms, severe depression symptoms, and greater than usual impact of fatigue). For some, quarantine appeared to be helpful for anxiety and burnout, but quarantine also appeared to impact anxiety, depression, and PTSD negatively, and longer stays in quarantine were associated with significantly higher coronavirus anxiety and fatigue impacts. The most widely received support in quarantine was from designated program staff; however, this was reportedly accessed by less than half of the participants.
Conclusions: The current study points to specific aspects of mental health care that can be applied to participants of similar voluntary quarantine programs in the future. It seems necessary to screen for psychological needs at various stages of quarantine, and to allocate appropriate care and improve its accessibility, as many participants did not utilise the routine support offered. Support should especially target disease-related anxiety, symptoms of depression and trauma, and the impacts of fatigue. Future research is needed to clarify specific phases of need throughout quarantine programs, and the barriers for participants receiving mental health supports in these contexts.

 

"How 'mad' are you" is an SBS TV documentary I worked on in 2018, assisting in the production and as on-screen host. The show aired in October 2018. You can watch by searching SBS On Demand - https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/

From the SBS website:

This two-part SBS documentary series How 'Mad' Are You? addresses mental illness in a way never seen before on Australian television. Ten Australians from all backgrounds and ages spend a week together. Five have a history of mental illness. Five do not. Who is who?

How 'Mad' Are You? TRAILER (On YouTube)

Here are some SBS News articles about the show:

https://www.sbs.com.au/guide/article/2018/10/07/6-myths-about-mental-illness-debunked-how-mad-are-you

https://www.sbs.com.au/programs/how-mad-are-you/article/2018/10/09/why-reclaiming-mad-makes-sense-mental-health

Here's the IMDb description:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9081368/

Here are a few reviews:

https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/how-mad-are-you-review-mental-health-deserves-more-than-a-reality-show-20181001-h162yy.html

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/oct/18/how-mad-are-you-tries-to-be-sensitive-about-mental-illness-so-why-does-it-make-me-squirm

 

If you listen to one Radiotherapy this year - make it this one!! This aired on October 14, 2018.

In front of a live studio audience, the Radiotherapy team of Mal Practice, Dr. Do-Little and Autonomy celebrate Radiotherapy's 21 (or so) years in style. Joined by two special guests Jill Stark and Nelly Thomas, the team traversed the massive topic of mental health to celebrate World Mental Health Day.

 

https://rrrfm.libsyn.com/radiotherapy-live-radiotherapy-14-october-2018

Nov 7, 2018

In this week's episode Panel Beater, Dr. Do-Little, Dr. Capri and Training Wheels delved into the topics of psychological fonts and saying no to patients. Joined by RMIT Behavioural Business Lab expert Dr. Janneke Blijlevens, the team discussed a new font called 'Sans Forgetica.' Dr. Capri also discussed her experiences of being a GP and the importance of being able to say no to some patient requests. In news, the team of doctors also discussed Nauru, and Rubella's eradication in Australia.

Special guest in this edition of Writs and Cures is Professor Dennis Velakoulis, the head of neuropsychiatry at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Neuropsychiatry is the mysterious world that deals with the mental health aspects of brain disease. It includes the psychological aspects of disorders like Parkinson's Disease, dementia, epilepsy, but it also includes the neurological aspects of mental health disorders like schizophrenia. It sounds highly complex and slightly confusing, but Professor Velakoulis is the expert who can unravel the mystery.

Plus in this week's Soapbox segment the team take a look at profiteering. It's Grand Final week in Melbourne and everyone wants to get their hands on the hottest tickets in town.

Lifeline 13 11 14

This edition of Writs and Cures is hosted by David Astle with co-hosts lawyer Katie Miller and Peter Mac psychiatrist Professor Steve Ellen.

Hear Writs and Cures every Tuesday night from 8pm on ABC Radio Melbourne.

 

In this edition of Writs & Cures the team take a look into assisted reproduction. Modern medicine has come a long way since the first so-called test tube baby in Victoria back in 1980 at the Royal Women's Hospital. But with the increase has come questions about access and cost. The Victorian government has launched a review headed up by Michael Gorton, one of the state's top lawyers in the health arena. He joins Writs and Cures to discuss the challenges of assisted reproduction in Victoria.

And in this week's regular Soapbox segment delves into what you're really buying when you click buy or accept on online media sites.

David Astle hosts this edition of Writs and Cures with co-hosts lawyer Katie Miller and Peter Mac psychiatrist Professor Steve Ellen.

Hear Writs and Cures every Tuesday night from 8pm on ABC Radio Melbourne.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/evenings/writs-and-cures/10322768

In this edition of Writs and Cures the team explore the world of physiotherapy. Did you know it's the third biggest health science? Most of us see a physio at least occasionally. But how did physiotherapy emerge in Australia? What drove the profession? What role did Polio play? To answer these questions Writs and Cures is joined by Professor Joan McMeeken from the University of Melbourne, who has recently released a book on this very topic.

And in this week's Soapbox segment the team look at proposed new rental laws. In Melbourne, about a third of us rent, a third are paying off a house, and third own their home, but the proportion of renters is on the rise. Victoria's state parliament is currently considering a Bill to update our rental laws and the team discuss what exactly is being proposed.

This episode of Writs and Cures is hosted by David Astle with co hosts lawyer Katie Miller and psychiatrist Professor Steve Ellen.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/evenings/writs-and-cures/10188948

An interview about the word 'cancer' and whether the fear it causes affects the treatment choices people make.

https://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/2018/8/13/should-low-level-cancers-be-given-another-name

In this edition of Writs and Cures, Steve Ellen and Bill O'Shea join Lindy Burns for a discussion about the demise of democracy and whether citizens' assemblies may be the way forward.

Plus, Dr Amit Maini, a physician from The Alfred hospital's Emergency and Trauma Centre, shares his experience of dealing with acute trauma cases and why Victoria has one of the better trauma survival rates across the globe.

As Director of Emergency Medicine Training at The Alfred, Dr Amit works with a highly skilled team dealing with some of the most complex and time-sensitive patients in the medical system.

Duration: 43min 20sec

Broadcast:

http://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/evenings/dr-amit/9717220

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