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.
"Aims to introduce psychiatric trainees and other health care
professionals to the vital elements of safe working practices, and
does so with the aid of a set of teaching materials that are first
rate in their content and highly professional in their
production…the film is excellent. Invaluable for anyone
wishing to provide structured induction training in personal safety
awareness and security measures. For anyone carrying
responsibility for the safety of trainees, there can only be one
message: buy, buy, buy!"
- Psychiatric
Bulletin
Packs of 20 copies of the information booklet can also
be purchased as a separate item.
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.