CPD eLearning update

Since the last quarterly update, we have released the following new content on CPD eLearning:

Podcasts

Agency in youth mental health (0.5 CPD credits)

As psychiatrists, it is important to consider how a young person’s interactions with healthcare professionals can be a key moment in their life, where their agency is either reaffirmed or threatened and undermined.

In this podcast episode, we explore the role of agency in youth mental health, and how upholding this within the therapeutic relationship can have a direct impact on future health outcomes. With the help of our expert panel, we review the impact of optimising young people's agency in conversations about mental health and treatment.

Big Questions in Psychiatry: Can medications ever help psychiatric disorders? (0.5 CPD credits)

In our Big Questions in Psychiatry podcast series, we explore the complex and messy questions shaping psychiatry. In this video-based podcast, we look at the role of medications in psychiatric disorders, the stigma associated with psychotropic medication and whether or not they truly are more problematic than medications used for physical illnesses.

Watch Professor Subodh Dave interview the lead author of The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines, Professor David Taylor, to uncover whether medications can ever work in psychiatric disorders.

Human rights as applied to mental health: do psychiatrists really know it all? (0.5 CPD credits)

Human rights promotion and protection continue to remain highly relevant in psychiatric practice, so it is imperative that psychiatrists are aware of developments being made in international law.

Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Special Committee on Human Rights, Professor Piyal Sen, presents this podcast to highlight the central role of human rights in psychiatric practice. He is joined by the co-authors of Mental Health and Human Rights (2024), Professor Norman Sartorius and Professor Neeraj Gill, as well as the first permanent Human Rights Officer at the NHS, Dr Tallyn Gray, to discuss the role that psychiatrists can play in upholding and advocating for the rights of their patients.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) (0.5 CPD credits)

Mental health issues in premenstrual disorders often occur in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. Dr Sophie Behrman and Dimple Khatiri join guest presenter Dr Katrina Peebles to discuss common representations of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and the wider social impact of PMDD and associated stigma, and to offer an overview of the available treatment options.

Listener discretion is advised as this podcast covers themes relating to eating disorders and suicidal ideation. Listeners are advised to refer to this podcast’s further reading page, which includes relevant patient resources that the Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced on this topic.

What every psychiatrist should know about smoking cessation (0.5 CPD credits)

October marks the annual Stoptober initiative, a powerful reminder of the life-saving potential of quitting smoking.

In this podcast episode, join guest presenter Dr Claire Jones in exploring why smoking cessation is considered the single most impactful intervention for improving health outcomes, and discover how small changes in clinical approach can lead to life-changing outcomes.

Modules

Relational prescribing (1.5 CPD credits)

Relational prescribing encourages practitioners to consider non-pharmacological factors – psychological and relational – in order to improve pharmacological outcomes. Although psychiatrists incorporate patient-centred care in their work, prescribing is often approached as an algorithmic exercise that overlooks the patient’s psychology. A relational approach is important for all diagnostic groups, but it is particularly needed when treating patients with attachment difficulties and histories of relational trauma.

This module draws from the work of Michael Balint, David Mintz and Psychodynamics of Prescribing (PoP) UK. It summarises the evidence base and suggests a framework to support reflection and teaching of the relational and psychological aspects of psychiatric consultations.

Module updates

As part of our Module updates programme, we look to update our content every two years. Recently released updates include:

Diagnosing bipolar depression (1 CPD credit)

Mania is the hallmark of bipolar disorder, yet depression is the predominant clinical state and the one most responsible for the high morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. The diagnosis of bipolar depression, though seemingly straightforward, can become a challenging task in the absence of a previous history of mania. Differentiating bipolar from unipolar depression is essential in order to make the correct choice of drug treatment.

In this module you will learn how to recognise bipolarity in patients presenting in a depressed state. Evidence-based information, where available, and practical advice will be given on how to carry out an informed examination and avoid any pitfalls in reaching the correct diagnosis.

In addition, the following modules have also been updated:

How to access CPD eLearning

Our 200+ CPD eLearning modules and 180+ podcasts are accessible via annual subscription, with a discount available for College members.

Many employing bodies have already taken out institutional subscriptions with us, providing access to CPD eLearning for groups of 10 or more people via OpenAthens; you may like to ask your librarian or CPD supervisor whether your employer is one of these.

We also offer an add-on option for institutional subscriptions of 50 licences or more to design their own learning paths or select CPD eLearning resources to create a mandatory training package, to tailor the learning for groups of learners.

Please visit our Subscribe page for more information.

We are pleased to offer some of our content free for those without a paid subscription. If you are a member of RCPsych, you can log in straight away using the same username and password with which you access the members' area of the College website. Otherwise, all you need to do is register with the College.

To keep up to date with all new releases, you can visit CPD eLearning, follow us on X @rcpsych_eLearn or subscribe to our eNewsletter.