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Correspondence |
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Ivry Lodge, Ipswich IP1 3QW
Specialist Registrar in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Ivry Lodge, Ipswich
We presented Rob Potters consent quiz to the child and adolescent mental health team in Ipswich, in the context of a regular teaching slot attended by the different professionals of the multi-disciplinary team.
This included a brainstorming exercise, identifying those already familiar with the quiz and asking the others to complete the questionnaire anonymously, including demographic details. The paper (Psychiatric Bulletin, March 2004, 28, 9193) was then presented with the relevant literature (Shaw, 2001).
Seventeen professionals, except 2 who were familiar with the quiz, completed the questionnaire. Five out-patient nurses, 4 psychologists (1 trainee, 1 assistant, 1 a-grade, 1 consultant), 3 consultant psychiatrists and 6 professionals from other disciplines such as social work, occupational therapy and primary mental health workers participated. The average time they had been in their current posts was 5.5 years (1 day to 20 years), and they had been professionally qualified for an average of 12 years (not yet qualified to 33 years). Six participants see emergencies when on call, and gave correct responses in 46%, those who supervise the professional on call gave a correct response in 70% and those who do not see emergencies gave a correct response in 41% of the questions. The nurses gave a correct response to 58% of the questions, the psychiatrists 70%, the psychologists 42.5% and the others 50%. The overall correct response rate was 48%.
The results of the quiz done in Ipswich are comparable to the results of the survey when used in Mid Glamorgan. There is a need for professionals to familiarise themselves with the different aspects of the law. Tackling this complex field, by using a quiz, can be an interactive and effective way of teaching these salient aspects. We also see potential for an audit process, for example by modifying the questionnaire and then repeating the exercise following an adequate time interval.
References
SHAW, M. (2001) Competence and consent to treatment in
children and adolescents. Advances in Psychiatric
Treatment, 7, 150
-159.
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