Faculty of Health

Mental health remains one of the biggest and most challenging areas in primary care practice. There can be significant gaps in the training of new GPs in psychiatric issues and very few universities offer courses in mental health for updating and continuing professional development. This module aims to help reduce the stigma of mental illness amongst clinicians by increasing awareness, knowledge and skills.

To raise awareness of contemporary mental health issues in primary care and to increase confidence, knowledge and skills in service development and delivery.

Health and social care professionals with a first degree or equivalent and actively involved in the care of, and with access to, patients within mental healthcare.

The module will be delivered by blended learning, with face to face seminar discussions and on line supporting activities. Content includes common mental disorders and evidence based psychopharmacology including personality disorders, psychosomatic disorders, psychotherapy and psychological therapies, deliberate self harm, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, school refusal, adolescent addiction and eating disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, forensic mental health issues. Mental Health Act for primary care clinicians and elderly care mental health issues.

• Logbook of three clinical cases from student's own practice highlighting new learning. The aspects and content of each case to be finalised in discussion with the module supervisor. Each case is to include a description of the case, a detailed review of one aspect of care which is to include referenced reading and the students own opinions on the aspects of the patients care i.e. how could care have been undertaken differently. The student will be rewarded for including a significant reflective element in this final section to illustrate their own thoughts. It should not be simply a clinical case discussion and presentation of evidence.  Word count is about 3000 i.e. 1000 per case

• The student will identify a gap in practice and write a protocol with a plan to implement change to improve the mental health care of patients in their own setting. This might include implementation of NICE guidance, shared care, medication management or physical care of patients with enduring mental illness. The plan is to include referenced reading to justify the introduction of such a proposed plan.

Module Session Dates:

22, 23 April 2014 and 17, 18 June 2013