A review and update of the latest information for healthcare professionals working in non-psychiatric practices who encounter patients with psychiatric conditions was recently tackled at a special workshop hosted by Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q).
The half-day event titled ‘Psychiatry for the Non-Psychiatrist’, was designed to equip physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists and allied health professionals with knowledge and skills to help them provide the best possible care to patients with psychiatric conditions.
The event consisted of four sessions delivered by three WCM-Q psychiatry professors. Each session was designed to impart a different set of practical skills. Dr Aicha Hind Rifai, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry who co-directed the event, began the proceedings with an introduction that explained the significance of attending to patients’ mental health needs in non-psychiatric settings in order to maximise patient well-being and prevent unfavourable health outcomes.
She said that psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse and somatic disorders – mental health conditions related to pain or fatigue – are often present even in non-psychiatric conditions. Patients with a psychiatric condition may visit a general practice for treatment, or a psychiatric condition may become known during treatment for another health complaint.
In all cases, it is very important that non-psychiatry professionals have the necessary skills and knowledge to recognise the presence of a psychiatric condition, provide appropriate care and refer patients to a psychiatry specialist as and when required.’
Dr Ziad Kronfol, Professor of Psychiatry and event co-director, delivered a session that explained how to recognise the extent and complexities of the association between comorbidity of medical and psychiatric conditions, and recommended strategies for managing patients with comorbidities.
Dr Hassen Al-Amin, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and event co-director, then ran a session on methods for assessing substance abuse in non-psychiatric session. This session outlined the most common medical and psychiatric problems associated with substance abuse and outlined methods for engaging patients to seek treatment.
The event was accredited locally by the Qatar Council for Healthcare Practitioners-Accreditation Department (QCHP-AD) and by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
Dr Rifai delivered the final presentation, which discussed psychosomatic disorders in a medical setting and described the recommended management of patients. The event concluded with a panel discussion and a question-and-answer session where participants discussed specific recommendations to address their patients’ needs for comprehensive psychiatric and medical care in non-psychiatric setting.
Dr Rifai said they were extremely pleased with the open-minded and enthusiastic approach that the participants brought to the event
We are confident that the learning sessions have enhanced their ability to provide care to psychiatric patients that is not only appropriate and professional, but also sensitive and compassionate.’
For more information about the workshop, visit the WCM-Q website at qatar-weill.cornell.edu.