BACKGROUND

In response to the need to provide for mental health services to address gender-related concerns in a higher education institute, the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila Center for Gender and Women Studies (CGWS) commissioned a project to formulate a framework for the increasing volume of referrals.

METHODOLOGY

A mixed methods study was done in order to gather data to create a responsive and practical mental health care service provision framework with and for service providers and service users in the university. An online survey (N=135), focus group discussion, key informant interviews, and a round table discussion were conducted, with constituents of the university recruited through purposive sampling.

RESULTS

A stepped-care model was proposed, consisting of: 1. Preventive Well-Being Resources, 2. Supportive Well-Being Interventions and Initial Screening Resources, 3. Structured Interventions, and 4. Interventions for Severe Mental Health Problems.

CONCLUSION

The framework formulated in collaboration with service providers and service users in the university addresses the goals of optimizing existing resources and enhancing service provision. Implementation and evaluation of this framework, as well as further information regarding the target population and their use of this model, are proposed avenues for further research.

Human ; Gender ; Gender Identity ; Sexual Harassment ; Mental Health ; Mental Health Services ; Lgbtq ; Sexual And Gender Minorities ; Psychiatry ; Psychology

BACKGROUND

E-learning has emerged as a crucial technique that educators embrace and apply. Two effective e-learning materials are video-based learning (VBL) and e-book-based remote learning (EBRL). While several studies have proven their effectiveness, none have compared these e-learning materials, especially regarding caregivers’ knowledge of delirium, dementia, and depression (3Ds). Based on the extant literature, many caregivers are untrained and often lack the knowledge and skills to lessen the burden on delirious, demented, and depressed older adults. Hence, there is a growing need to explore how e-learning materials will address caregivers’ lack of knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry.

OBJECTIVES

This study ascertained the effects of e-learning materials on caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry and determined significant differences within and between groups.

METHODS

A three-arm, quasi-experimental study, which included 63 informal caregivers in Baguio City who met the inclusion criteria and were chosen through purposive sampling, was conducted. Data were gathered using the Delirium-related knowledge tool, the Bangladesh version of the Depression Literacy Questionnaire, and the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Tool version 2. Data collection was done face-to-face and was conducted from March to April 2023. Data were treated with descriptive and inferential statistics using means, paired t-test, one-way omnibus ANOVA, and the post hoc Scheffé’s test. Ethics approval was provided by the Saint Louis University Research Ethics Committee (SLU-REC-UG 2023-004).

RESULTS

All the pretest mean scores of respondents in the VBL, EBRL, and control groups increased in the posttest. Additionally, the paired t-test revealed that the VBL and EBRL materials significantly affected the caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry, evidenced by a t-statistic of -5.80 (p=0.00001) and -4.48 (p= 0.00023), respectively. Lastly, one-way ANOVA revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in mean scores between at least two groups (F(2,60) = [7.060], p=0.002). Post hoc analysis using Scheffé’s test for multiple comparisons found that the mean values significantly differed between the VBL and the waitlist control group (Scheffé=10.589), and between the EBRL and the waitlist control group (Scheffé=10.589). There was no statistically significant difference between the VBL and the EBRL groups (Scheffé=0).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that informal caregivers in Baguio City are moderately knowledgeable about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry. Moreover, both VBL and EBRL materials showed effectiveness in improving caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry, highlighting the substantial equivalence of both materials. Lastly, caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry increases as they engage in e-learning materials. Thus, it is acknowledged that VBL and EBRL materials are valuable, cost-effective, and practical interventions in improving caregivers’ knowledge about the 3Ds of geriatric psychiatry.

Human ; Geriatric Psychiatry ; Delirium ; Dementia ; Depression

Objectives: Psychological distress is more prevalent among medical students compared to the general population. This study describes the factors which contribute to the well-being of medical students enrolled in the UP College of Medicine, and their relationship with the students’ demographic characteristics. Methods: The modified Cardiff Medical School Well-being Questionnaire was administered to 598 students of the UP College of Medicine. The following domains were explored: acquisition of knowledge and skills, work-life balance, demands, travel and orientation, safety, culture, finances, perceived support in academics and perceived support in personal/health matters. Students also shared their insights regarding potential areas of change to enhance their engagement and performance. Demographics are presented as frequency and percentage; the relationship between the demographic characteristics and factors was analyzed through multiple linear regression. Results: The mean age of the medical student participants was 22.6 years, with an almost equal male to female ratio. The majority were single, Roman Catholic, lateral entrants, having a high socioeconomic status, and with residence in the City of Manila while in training. Medical students were least concerned about culture, safety at work, travel and orientation, and perceived support for academics. However, they were most concerned about work-life balance, demands, finance, and perceived support on personal and health matters. Conclusion Medical students expressed more concern about work-life balance, demands, finance, and perceived support on personal and health issues, and marked less concern about culture, safety at work, travel and orientation, and perceived support for academics. Across all domains, there are areas for improvement and limitations which can be further explored in future studies.
psychiatry ; mental health ; medical students ; well-being ; education

It has been more than a decade since the Committee on Standardization and Accreditation of Residency Training was renamed Board of Accreditation of the Specialty Board of Philippine Psychiatry (SBPP). The SBPP is composed of two bodies namely the Boards of Accreditation and Certification. These bodies are mandated to uphold the highest standards of accrediting psychiatry residency training programs (Board of Accreditation) and granting diplomate status to graduates of these programs (Board of Certification). Guided by the biopsychosocial and spiritual model of health, the Board of Accreditation remains steadfast in ensuring that psychiatry residency training programs continue to be relevant to current demands of mental health and psychiatric care in the country. In addition, it sees to it that these programs are in harmony with global standards. As psychiatry faces new challenges in the third millennium, certain innovations and iterations in the manner by which mental illnesses are diagnosed, treated, and prevented must be set in place. Through its Millennium Developmental Goals, the United Nations has declared that the achievement of gender equality is an effective way of combating disease. Mental health problems and psychiatric disorders are closely linked with gender-related issues. Yet, many residency training programs in the Philippines have not formally and systematically integrated gender sensitivity into their curricula. The same can be said of the concepts of religion and spirituality. Numerous researches have established the positive link between religion and spirituality and mental health.
Psychiatry ; Internship and Residency

Background: In recent years, both mental health (MH) and substance use (SU) have emerged as important issues among Filipinos. Not all clients need specialized services and can be treated in non-specialized settings. However, no previous study has examined integration of MH and SU in the Philippines. Objectives: This qualitative study explored the current practices, gaps, and potential for integration of MH and SU treatment in communities. Methodology: In-depth interviews were conducted among eight subject matter experts from five Department of Health (DOH) Centers for Health Development and three local government units. Data was analyzed using Framework analysis and the SAMHSA-HRSA Framework. Results: Findings suggest very low levels of integration of mental health and substance use services given inadequate resources and divergent policies and governance structures. However, findings show the potential for integration of community-based drug rehabilitation (CBDR) and community-based mental health (CBMH) especially for low and moderate risk clients. Conclusion: CBDR programs appear to be a promising model for care and lay the groundwork for implementation of CBMH. However, policy changes are needed to decriminalize drug use and implement an integrated flow for MH and SU. In addition, incorporating screening and early interventions in primary care are key to decreasing mental health inequity in the Philippines.
Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) ; Philippines

Research on facial micro-expression analysis has been going on for decades. Micro-expression can reflect the true emotions of individuals, and it has important application value in assisting auxiliary diagnosis and disease monitoring of mental disorders. In recent years, the development of artificial intelligence and big data technology has made the automatic recognition of micro-expressions possible, which will make micro-expression analysis more convenient and more widely used. This paper reviews the development of facial micro-expression analysis and its application in forensic psychiatry, to look into further application prospects and development direction.
Humans ; Forensic Psychiatry ; Artificial Intelligence ; Mental Disorders/diagnosis* ; Facial Expression ; Emotions

Brain ; COVID-19 ; Psychotic Disorders ; Psychiatry

With the development of global economy and society,the number of patients who suffer from functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) and mental illness is growing. In recent years, a substantial amount of high-quality research evidence shows that these two kinds of diseases often coexist, and they are mutually causal, and their common pathophysiology is the abnormal interaction of "bacteria-gut-brain axis". In clinical practice, there are some problems, such as insufficient recognition and attention of both doctors and patients to its clinical manifestations, lack of understanding of pathophysiological mechanism, and lack of overall and integrated views of intervention methods, which may be the main factors of poor curative effect at present. Therefore, according to the global research progress and the author's clinical experience, we put forward a new viewpoint of "gastrointestinal psychiatry", it concluded that clinical intervention strategies needed to include dietary and lifestyle changes as well as multidisciplinary interventions such as probiotics, prebiotic, fecal microbiota transplantation and cognitive psychology. On the basis of gastrointestinal psychiatry, this paper systematically elaborated the diagnosis and treatment of this kind of diseases.
Gastrointestinal Diseases/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Mental Disorders/therapy* ; Prebiotics ; Probiotics ; Psychiatry

The patient is a 36-year-old- male who was bullied by peers and was emotionally abused by his father for being effeminate and preferring to play with dolls. These adverse childhood experiences made him vulnerable to depression. He told himself that he could no longer rely on anyone else but himself and took pride in his independence. He gave his best with his endeavors and did not settle for mediocrity, frequently reviewing his work. During the pandemic, he experienced several hardships such as disruption of activities, inability to meet the financial needs of his family and unemployment. He found himself struggling but surviving. While in a work-from-home arrangement, he was so frustrated about his internet connection that he complained on social media. The internet company then threatened him of possible legal charges and felt stuck in a hopeless situation. This affected his day-to-day activities until he felt so overwhelmed that he attempted suicide by ingesting multiple medications. He was then brought to the emergency room and was admitted. He was diagnosed to have Major Depressive Disorder and was started on antidepressants. Psychotherapy focused on identifying stressors and strengthening adaptive coping mechanisms while he was admitted at an isolation facility. He then followed up at the outpatient department of a tertiary government hospital in Mindanao with noted improvement in mood and functionality overtime. During admission, he was also diagnosed to have Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19, which added to his burden as these were the biologic factors that were correlated to his depression. The case highlighted the interplay between the effects of multiple traumatic experiences in a vulnerable individual and thus necessitating a holistic management.
Depressive Disorder, Major ; Psychiatry ; Suicide

OBJECTIVES: To understand the legal application and case deposition of assessment opinions of sexual self-defense capability, and to explore the necessity of legal correspondence in the sexual defense capability assessment. METHODS: According to the self-made questionnaire, the cases of sexual self-defense capability assessment completed by the Academy of Forensic Science from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2018 were statistically analyzed through telephone interviews and referrals. RESULTS: Among the 69 cases, 3 cases (4.3%) had complete sexual self-defense capability, 30 cases (43.5%) had weakened sexual self-defense capability, 32 cases (46.2%) had no sexual self-defense capability, and 4 cases (5.8%) were not suitable for assessment. Among the 30 cases with weakened sexual self-defense ability, 15 cases were filed and investigated by public security authorities for rape and 15 cases were not. The inconsistent rate of disposition was 1∶1. Among the 15 rape cases filed and investigated by the public security authorities, 10 cases were arrested and prosecuted by the procuratorate and sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment by the court, while the other 5 cases were not arrested and prosecuted by the procuratorate, with an inconsistent rate of disposition being 2∶1. CONCLUSIONS The legal application of the assessment opinion on the weakening of sexual self-defense capability is inconsistent, and the judicial disposition is confusing. It is imperative to unify and correspond the classification of sexual self-defense capability with the legal requirements.
Rape ; Forensic Psychiatry ; Forensic Medicine ; Forensic Sciences