Diss. - Jena. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

No description available.

Current treatment practice guidelines in a number of countries mandate the assessment of violence risk in all patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Although more than 100 different instruments have been developed to facilitate the assessment of violence risk, few have been specifically validated for use in those with schizophrenia. Recent work instead suggests that these instruments are typically associated with lower predictive validity in samples with schizophrenia when compared to that achieved in diagnostically heterogeneous samples, leading to concerns that these instruments omit risk factors that may be specific to the prediction of violence risk in this population. The present thesis therefore aimed to investigate the predictive validity of a number of risk factors for violence in those with schizophrenia. Firstly, to identify key risk factors for violence, a meta-analysis was undertaken, finding that although a number of criminal history risk factors are strongly associated with violence risk, nonetheless a number of risk factors rarely assessed by existing violence risk assessment instruments were significantly associated with violence in those with schizophrenia; most notably a history of attempted suicide. Results of this review also suggested that although the criminal history domain is most strongly associated with violence risk, nonetheless, there is considerable variability in the magnitude of association for the individual risk factors. Study two therefore aimed to investigate this variability and found that a history of violence was most strongly associated with subsequent violence. Study three aimed to identify whether suicidal behaviour, which has rarely been considered risk factors for violence in previous work, incrementally contributes to the prediction of violence. A simple risk model composed of young age, comorbid substance use disorder, previous violence, and a history of suicidal threats, explained as much predictive validity, as measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, as established risk assessment instruments such as the HCR–20, LSI–R, PCL–R, and VRAG. Current risk assessment approaches may therefore need revision in light of these findings.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Carleton University, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 359-393). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Background: Psychotropic medicines are widely used to treat mental illness in the community. In prisons, however, the continuity and appropriateness of prescribing for mentally ill prisoners have been questioned. There has been little research on the use of psychotropic medicines in prisons in England and Wales; yet this information is essential for determining the extent to which there is equivalence of care between prisons and the community and for effective medicines management. Aims and objectives: This study aimed to determine patterns of psychotropic prescribing in prisons and consider the extent to which people with mental illness have 'equivalent' access to psychotropic medicines in prison. Methods: A mixed methods design was used, incorporating three interrelated studies: a retrospective case note review to estimate the proportion of prescriptions for psychotropic medicines which were discontinued on entry to prison; a cross-sectional survey to estimate point-prevalence psychotropic prescribing rates in prisons, as compared with the community; and a qualitative interview study with members of prison healthcare staff and patients with mental illness to a) explore the perceived purpose of psychotropic prescribing and b) to deconstruct patient and doctor accounts of medication changes on entry to prison. Findings: Half (47%) of all psychotropic medicines reported on entry into prison were not prescribed within seven days of arrival. The cross-sectional study found that psychotropic medications were prescribed to 20% of men and 44% of women in prison; age-adjusted prescribing rates were at least five times higher in prison than in the general population. However, no valid clinical indication was recorded for half (47%) of prescriptions for psychotropic medication in prison. Qualitative analysis showed that patients interpreted the principle of equivalence differently to doctors and attributed negative outcomes to changes to medication regimes in prison. Patients reported using psychotropic medicines to reduce symptoms of mental illness, but also as a coping strategy and to reduce insomnia. Whilst staff voiced concerns regarding possible overreliance on psychotropic drugs, patients perceived insufficient access to alternative forms of treatment and support in prison. Discussion: These findings confirm high use of psychotropic medicines in prison and caution prison prescribers against abrupt withdrawal of psychotropic medicines on entry to prison, overreliance on psychotropic medicines, potentially inappropriate prescribing and poor record keeping. Strengths and limitations, implications for practice and recommendations for future work are also discussed.

Thesis (doctorat)--Université Lyon III, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctorat)--Université Lyon III, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references.

The diploma is about the topic of multidisciplinarity in community care of people with mentally illness. I chose this topic because I meet clients who have lived for various periods of time knowing that they suffer of mental illness. Over time, I began deeply perceive how mental illnesses affect all areas of client's lives. In the modern sense of community-based psychiatric services, multidisciplinary cooperation should become a provider of more comprehensive, better quality and more effective services for people with mental illness who require health care, but also social care that facilitates inclusion in the society of people who suffer of mental illness. Multidisciplinary collaboration is an interdisciplinary collaboration in social and health services, illustrates different theories that use various terminologies. The collaboration of experts from different disciplines, in addition to the term multidisciplinary, can be referred also as interdisciplinary or intersectoral. Another reason for choosing the topic of the thesis is the increas of discussions and even practical steps within the Strategy of Psychiatric Reform in the Czech Republic. An integral part of the thesis is an introduction to mental health issues, it's history and current planned transformation, which is a priority within the...

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 65-67).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Western Sydney, Nepean, 1997. / References and bibliography : p. 308-345.