Gillett George, Davis Owen, Gill Amarit, van Hamel Clare
Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
UK Foundation Programme Office, Birmingham, UK.
BJPsych Bull. 2024 Apr;48(2):139-144. doi: 10.1192/bjb.2023.48.
This study assesses newly qualified doctors' confidence in practising clinical skills related to the assessment and management of mental health conditions and how this correlates with other areas of medicine. We conducted a national survey of 1311 Foundation Year 1 doctors in the UK. Survey items assessed confidence recognising mentally unwell patients, conducting a mental state examination, assessing cognition and mental capacity, formulating a psychiatric diagnosis and prescribing psychotropic medications.
A substantial proportion of surveyed doctors lacked confidence in their clinical skills related to mental health and prescribing psychotropic medications. Network analysis revealed that items corresponding to mental health were highly correlated, suggesting a potential generalised lack of confidence in mental healthcare.
We identify areas of lack of confidence in some newly qualified doctors' ability to assess and manage mental health conditions. Future research might explore how greater exposure to psychiatry, integrated teaching and clinical simulation might better support medical students for future clinical work.
本研究评估新获得资格的医生在实践与心理健康状况评估及管理相关临床技能方面的信心，以及这与医学其他领域的相关性。我们对英国1311名第一年住院医师进行了全国性调查。调查项目评估了识别精神状态不佳患者、进行精神状态检查、评估认知和心理能力、做出精神科诊断以及开具精神药物处方方面的信心。
相当一部分接受调查的医生对其与心理健康及开具精神药物处方相关的临床技能缺乏信心。网络分析显示，与心理健康相关的项目高度相关，表明在精神卫生保健方面可能普遍缺乏信心。
我们确定了一些新获得资格的医生在评估和管理心理健康状况能力方面缺乏信心的领域。未来的研究可以探索增加精神病学接触、综合教学和临床模拟如何能更好地支持医学生开展未来的临床工作。
