This study describes a survey of in-patients with personality disorder admitted to a specialist personality disorder unit, in terms of their knowledge and understanding of their diagnosis, and the subsequent development of a psychoeducational programme.

Overall, patients had a poor knowledge and understanding of their diagnosis. Most had not had their diagnosis explained to them, and if they had, they had not retained the information. Consequently a structured psychoeducational programme was developed, incorporating diagnostic information obtained at the pre-admission assessment.

Diagnostic information for those with personality disorder, even when it is available, is not transmitted to patients. Imparting this information through a psychoeducational programme is one way in which the therapeutic relationship between patient and clinician can be strengthened.

A survey of patients was undertaken to determine their knowledge and understanding of advance statements (a new addition to Scottish mental health legislation introduced with the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003). Few patients have taken up this facility and this study attempts to identify potential explanations.

A minority of the initial 58 participants had heard of advance statements prior to the survey (5 of 58, 8.6%). After issuing information about advance statements, awareness and understanding increased significantly among those who completed the study, with 59% (16 of 27) now understanding the concept. The types of information that patients wished to be documented in an advance statement fell into two broad groups: treatment preferences and statements regarding loss of control and autonomy. Out of 27 participants 19 (70%) stated they would now consider drawing up an advance statement.

A lack of knowledge among patients about the existence of advance statements is highlighted. After a brief intervention, awareness, understanding and interest increased significantly, suggesting that poor uptake could be because of lack of awareness. Most participants would consult mental health professionals when drawing up an advance statement, therefore we have a responsibility to be fully informed about the process.

To discuss the service offered by an in-patient neuropsychiatric brain injury rehabilitation unit. To examine the demographic details of patients admitted to the unit. To find the commonest reasons for referral.

The notes of 78 patients admitted to the unit, over a two-year period, were examined. Seventy-three per cent were male and the mean age was 45 years. Seventy-five per cent of admissions had a severe brain injury. Two-thirds of the patients were admitted within six months of their injury. The most common reasons for referral were memory difficulties (n=61), verbal aggression (n=31) and temper control(n=25).

In-patient neuropsychiatric brain injury rehabilitation units offer management of patients referred with a wide range of cognitive, behavioural, functional and physical problems.

This article examines mental health disorders as individuals transition from adolescence to adulthood. Data were collected from clinical records of patients who had transitioned from child and adolescent mental health services to adult mental health services in a region in South Wales. Demographics and clinical diagnoses under both services were recorded. Patterns between adolescent and adult disorders as well as comorbidities were investigated using Pearson's χ2-test and Fisher's exact test.

Of the 98 patients that transitioned from one service to the other, 74 had changes to their diagnoses. There were 164 total changes to diagnoses, with patients no longer meeting diagnostic criteria for 64 disorders and 100 new disorders being diagnosed. Comorbidity increased in adulthood.

Diagnoses can evolve, particularly during adolescence and early adulthood. Therefore regular reassessment is paramount for successful treatment.

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To determine values for reliable change and clinically significant change for the Leeds Dependence Questionnaire (LDQ) and Social Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ). The performance of these two measures with the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE-10) as three dimension measures of addiction was then explored.

The reliable change statistic for both LDQ and SSQ was ≥4; the cut-offs for clinically significant change were LDQ 410 males, ≤5 females, and SSQ ≥16. There was no overlap of 95% CIs for means by gender between ‘well-functioning’ and pre- and post-treatment populations.

These data enable the measurement of clinically significant change using the LDQ and SSQ and add to the evidence for the performance of the LDQ, CORE-10 and SSQ as dimension measures of addiction. The CORE-10 and SSQ can be used as treatment outcome measures for mental health problems other than addiction.

To elucidate and describe current neuropsychiatry service provision in the UK. A questionnaire was developed and posted to members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists who had expressed an interest in neuropsychiatry. the responses were tabulated and analysed using descriptive statistics and SPSS version 11.0 for Windows. the neuropsychiatry services provided, sources of referrals, setting of the services and funding streams are described.

Out of 251 respondents, 70 reported providing a neuropsychiatry service, 21 having been principally appointed as neuropsychiatrists.

Neuropsychiatry services in the UK are currently based in a few regional centres, representing a patchy and inadequate service provision.

We explored the views of foundation doctors on psychiatry placements to inform further post development. Following criticism of some South Thames Foundation School (STFS) psychiatry placements, STFS staff reviewed existing information on post quality and 21 foundation doctors in psychiatry posts took part in three focus groups.

Trainees are concerned about the general quality of posts (including supervision and induction); isolation of mental health trusts from ‘acute’ trusts; the professional position of junior psychiatrists; and responsibilities related to the Mental Health Act and risk assessment. Requirements for posts to address these issues have been developed and are now being implemented locally.

The conclusions are relevant to the quality management of foundation posts in mental health trusts, responses to the Collins Report (2010) and future recruitment into psychiatry.

Religion and spirituality are very important personal aspects of many people's lives. Little work has looked at the beliefs of mental health professionals and how they reconcile or benefit from the potential differences of religious faith and evidence-based mental health practice. This study used semi-structured interviews to qualitatively explore how professionals from different occupations and faiths conceptualise the relationship between their beliefs and their work.

The commonly cited ‘conflict’ of science and religion was noted, as was the personal support that faith provides for many people. Participants felt their beliefs made them better at their job, not only by reconciling differences from the two paradigms but also by allowing them to recognise compatible attributes of seeking meaning to subjective experience; this had positively influenced their choice of career in mental health. A desire for ongoing opportunity to express and discuss this interface was strongly expressed, but with concern about how this would occur and be perceived.

There is a lack of qualitative research on the religious beliefs of mental health staff. In the UK generally, the role of faith in public life is a strongly debated topic in the context of an increasingly secular and yet multicultural and multi-faith society. Our data suggest that professionals' beliefs positively influence their choice of career in mental health and make them feel better equipped to undertake their roles and provide good-quality patient care. There is an expressed need for further opportunities for staff to discuss their beliefs – or lack thereof – and to consider the individual impact of beliefs on their professional life.

Ten people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were interviewed. The interviews were analysed qualitatively with the aim of examining the concept of patient satisfaction in the context of a recent in-patient admission.

The analysis identified two themes that influenced the expression of patient satisfaction: external factors and internal factors. The theme of external factors contained four categories: fear of violence, communication with staff, lack of autonomy and ward routines. The theme of internal factors comprised participants' conceptions and expectations.

This small study suggests the complexity of the concept of patient satisfaction should be respected in assessing experiences of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia.