Prevalence and associated factors in burnout and psychological morbidity among substance misuse professionals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies of psychological stress among substance misuse professionals rarely describe the nature of burnout and psychological morbidity. The main aim of this study was to determine the extent, pattern and predictors of psychological morbidity and burnout among substance misuse professionals.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was a cross-sectional mail survey of 194 clinical staff of substance misuse services in the former South Thames region of England, using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) as measures of psychological morbidity and burnout, respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Rates of psychological morbidity (82%: 95% CI = 76–87) and burnout (high emotional exhaustion – 33% [27–40]; high depersonalisation – 17% [12–23]; and diminished personal accomplishment – 36% [29–43]) were relatively high in the study sample. High levels of alienation and tension (job stressors) predicted emotional exhaustion and depersonalisation (burnout) but not psychological morbidity. Diminished personal accomplishment was associated with higher levels of psychological morbidity</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In the sample of substance misuse professionals studied, rates of psychological morbidity and burnout were high, suggesting a higher level of vulnerability than in other health professionals. Furthermore, pathways to psychological morbidity and burnout are partially related. Therefore, targeted response is required to manage stress, burnout and psychological morbidity among substance misuse professionals. Such a response should be integral to workforce development.</p

Are Reports of Psychological Stress Higher in Occupational Studies? A Systematic Review across Occupational and Population Based Studies

This study was funded by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Two cases of Vogt&ndash;Koyanagi&ndash;Harada&rsquo;s disease in sub-Saharan Africa

Tunji S Oluleye,1 Adekunle O Rotimi-Samuel,2 Adetunji Adenekan,2 Olubanke T Ilo,2 Folashade B Akinsola,2 Adeola O Onakoya,2 Olufisayo T Aribaba,2 Adebukunola Adefule-Ositelu,2 Kareem O Musa,2 Yele Oyefeso2 1Retina and Vitreous Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, 2Department of Ophthalmology, Guinness Eye Center, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria Abstract: Vogt&ndash;Koyanagi&ndash;Harada&rsquo;s (VKH) disease has been reported to be rare in sub-Saharan Africa. Two Nigerians with the disease are presented in this report. The first patient, a 32-year-old pregnant Nigerian woman presented with a 1-month history of bilateral blurring of vision, persistent headache, and alopecia. Presenting visual acuity was 1 m counting fingers in both eyes. Examination revealed vitiligo and poliosis with bilateral panuveitis as well as bilateral exudative retinal detachment. A clinical assessment of complete VKH disease was made. The patient commenced systemic and topical steroids that resulted in remarkable recovery of vision and control of inflammation. The second patient, a 56-year-old Nigerian woman presented with severe headache, tinnitus, and visual loss in both eyes of 2 weeks duration. There was associated redness of both eyes and photophobia. Examination showed visual acuity of Hand motion (HM) and counting fingers at 1 meter (CF). in the right and left eye, respectively, with bilateral panuveitis and bilateral exudative retinal detachment. Subsequent follow-up showed poliosis, vitiligo, and sunsetting fundus appearance. The patient improved with systemic and topical corticosteroids. Developing a high index of suspicion is necessary in diagnosing VKH disease, even in sub-Saharan Africa. Prompt institution of appropriate treatment prevents blindness. Keywords: Vogt&ndash;Koyanagi&ndash;Harada&rsquo;s disease, exudative retinal detachment, vitiligo, &shy;sub-Saharan Afric

Substance-Use Disorders and Violence

© Springer International Publishing AG 2018.Substance use seems to be associated with increased prevalence levels of violent behaviour in both general population and psychiatric patients, with ‘dual-diagnosis’ clients showing high rates of risky and criminal behaviour and worse therapy compliance. Cases of drug-related aggressiveness mostly involve a number of molecules, e.g. ethanol, stimulants, cannabinoids, opiates, benzodiazepines, synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. Consumers of the virtually few hundred, and up to a few thousand, substances currently available may present to the emergency departments without providing information about the substances(s) ingested and it is likely that standard drug tests will show negative results. An appropriate treatment/management plan to cope with the related acute behavioural and psychopathological disturbances is here discussed. Because of the complex behavioural and medical toxicity issues associated with drug intake, raising awareness and education of healthcare professionals on drugs’ health harms, interventions, harm reduction techniques and referral pathways are here deemed of particular relevance