Safety in Psychiatry - The Mind's Eye (DVD Training Pack)
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Consists of: 22
min film on DVD, 20 copies of 18 page information booklet and
1 set of tutor notes (6 pages).
This film shows everyday examples of
threatening incidents which doctors can readily identify with. The
high-quality production techniques combined with atmospheric
location work and use of real stories give the film an immediacy
that ensures high observer involvement.
Improving safety awareness is more about how
people think about situations than about memorising information.
Focused small-group discussion triggered by carefully selected and
memorable case examples is therefore likely to be the most
effective way of developing safety awareness, especially when this
is reinforced by a systematic approach to safe practice as laid out
in the accompanying booklet.
Although best used in combination with
tutor-led small-group discussion, the film and the accompanying
booklet are self-contained, and can also be used as resource
material in a library or self-learning room.
- This is the same product as the College's popular video
training pack of the same title (from the year 2000), but
reformatted to DVD.
- It is suitable for anyone involved with
training or tutoring trainee psychiatrists, plus those looking to
refresh awareness of qualified professionals already undertaking
clinical practice.
Summary of the Film
Introduction
- States the aim of the film:
to make clinicians aware of the issues.
- Encourages them to report
violent incidents and stresses that it is not a sign of weakness to
do so.
- Observes that whilst being
a victim of violent incidents may be an occupational hazard for
psychiatrists, they should learn to predict the signs of impending
violence and this ought to become second nature.
- Contains the definition of
a ‘violent incident’.
Case
Examples
There are three real-life
case examples. Each follows the format whereby actors play
out the situation, then both the psychiatrist involved and the
narrator comment on how it was handled and give some advice on how
this could have been improved. Many practical tips for use in
everyday practice are given throughout these scenes.
Example
1
A male psychiatrist is
called to assess a distressed female patient in A&E who is
demanding to be admitted to hospital. There are no medical
notes about her available and her body language and verbal tone
become increasingly aggressive during the interview.
This example examines the
issues of whether or not a case history is known, the pros and cons
of using an isolated interview room and the security issues
associated with interview rooms.
Example
2
A female psychiatrist has to
interview a male adolescent patient in a community-based
clinic. Although his mother is present, he kicks out and
shows violence towards items in the room.
This example discusses
issues of personal safety when carrying out interviews in locations
away from the hospital; such as home visits and community
centres.
Example
3
A male psychiatrist has
heard rumours that one of his female patients is ‘out to get
him’. He has received threatening letters and nuisance calls
from her. She manages to follow him in the hospital grounds
and then confronts him in his office.
This example considers
issues relating to the privacy of doctors’ personal information,
such as home address or telephone number and the safety of family
members. It touches on how to deal with stalking and
discusses the importance of security measures in hospital
buildings.
Information Booklet
This backs up much of what
is said in the film, including some extra useful suggestions.
The advice is all written in a systematic way.
- Introduction
- Safety legislation
- Trust’s safety induction
- Personal precautions
- Buildings and site
- Safety policies and procedures
- Safety during interviews
- Procedure to be followed after a violent
incident
- Important learning points
- Appendix
- References and recommended reading
Tutor Notes
These give extra guidance
for tutors, recommending that the film be used as part of a
training session lasting between 1 and 1½ hours. It contains
suggested discussion points relating to each of the three case
examples and cross-references to the relevant pages in the
information booklet.