People use the word ‘mindset‘ fairly often. But what does it mean? Many will now reach for their dictionaries and Google. When I think about how others refer to mindset, I get the impression that they mean the person’s mind is set in a certain way. I think that’s partially true. People use mindset often in a derogatory way e.g. “His mindset does not allow him to see…he’s stubborn!” I think we all know people like that – the people ...
This post is derived from a manual that I constructed some time ago. It summarises a book that I am publishing. The summary constitutes opinion on how a locum business ought to be run. It is not advice even though it may appear to be directive and refers to ‘you’. The author owes you no duty of care. That’s why my opinion is not advice! No liabilities accepted. Sue yourself if you follow any of this and you suffer damage ...
For the last 30-plus years, UK psychiatry has operated on certain tried and tested models that have shaped the practice and delivery of mental health care. These models have provided a solid foundation for diagnosing and treating a range of psychiatric conditions. However, over this period, psychiatry has been evolving significantly, driven by advances in medical research, a deeper understanding of mental health in the biopsychosocial model, increasing emphasis on patient-centred care and patients’ rights. The requirements for better quality ...
Functional assessments in psychiatry refer to a systematic evaluation of an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural abilities in the context of their daily living and social environment. The primary aim of such assessments is to understand how a person’s mental health condition affects their ability to perform everyday tasks, maintain relationships, and fulfil their roles in various settings such as home, work, and community. While the publisher and author(s) have used their best efforts in preparing information at this website, ...
Understanding pain in psychiatric presentations is crucial due to the profound and multifaceted impact pain can have on mental health. Pain, whether acute or chronic, often serves as both a cause and a significant contributor to psychiatric disorders. See also The Pain Assessment Tool. Acute pain, stemming from sudden injuries or medical conditions, triggers biological responses that can exacerbate anxiety, stress, and emotional distress. This heightened state can lead to psychological symptoms such as irritability, cognitive impairment, and mood disturbances. ...
The concept of dysfunctional teams has been a topic of interest in organisational psychology and management research for decades. A dysfunctional team is characterised by a group of individuals who struggle to work together effectively, leading to suboptimal performance, decreased productivity, and a negative impact on the overall well-being of team members. The term “dysfunctional team” is often used interchangeably with “ineffective team” or “underperforming team,” emphasising the team’s inability to achieve its goals and objectives. Teams function on spectrum. ...
Low resolution thinking (LRT) is a cognitive mode that oversimplifies complex issues, reducing them to binary, black-and-white terms. It is a way of thinking that fails to appreciate the subtleties and shades of grey that characterise most real-world situations. When engaged in LRT, individuals tend to ignore important complexities and context, instead focusing on a single, salient aspect of a problem or situation. This oversimplification can lead to biased, suboptimal decisions and judgments, as it fails to account for the ...
Insight and self-awareness are two essential concepts in the field of psychiatry that play important roles in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. While these concepts are related, they are distinct constructs that require careful consideration in psychiatric practice. Questions are often encountered about the nature of insight and its relationship to self-awareness. Some health workers use insight loosely and do not know exactly what they mean. Insight, self-awareness and capacity are often conflated. This article aims ...
It may not be obvious to some why this topic is on a psychiatry website i.e. ‘what has psychiatry to do with career and pivoting?’ I’ve been picking up consistently that many doctors – mainly younger ones below 40 – are feeling trapped, demoralised and unable to progress in their careers. Many are burnt out and fed up. Some younger doctors under 25 are unable to get into training due to fierce competition e.g. 800 applicants for say 5 places. ...
The purpose of this analysis is to make sense of a comparison of substantive pay v locum hourly rates. Introduction Recently at what was supposed to be a selection interview – set up by an Agency – the two interviewers focused on cost for 20 out of 30 minutes. That’s fine because no one expects a health service employer to have an endless supply of money. However, the way they went about this was to be strictly limited by what ...
