NHS England and Maudsley Learning collaborate to enhance mental health education for physician associates

NHS England has joined forces with Maudsley Learning to introduce specialised mental health courses designed explicitly for physician associates. These courses aim to focus on evaluating mental states and developing psychiatric skills, tailored to the unique needs of physician associates. The collaboration is poised to elevate the mental health education of healthcare professionals currently serving within the NHS in England.

The courses will be delivered through various learning methods, including classroom sessions, simulations, and e-learning modules, ensuring accessibility for a diverse range of professionals in the healthcare sector.

Open to all physician associates currently working within NHS trusts under Integrated Care Boards in London, including North Central London, North East London, North West London, South East London, and South West London, these courses provide a comprehensive approach to mental health education.

The meticulously designed courses cover a spectrum of essential topics, including Psychiatric History, Mental State Examination, Risk Assessment and Management, De-escalation and Distress Management, as well as an Additional Curriculum comprising Diagnosis and Formulation, Psychopharmacology, Physical Health, and Mental Health Law.

Outlined below are some of the key aspects of the curriculum:

Psychiatric History
Understanding the overall structure and components of psychiatric history
Engaging patients in taking a full psychiatric history
Eliciting a complete developmental, personal, and social history
Documenting the psychiatric history
Mental State Examination
Grasping the principles of the Mental State Examination (MSE) and the phenomenological approach
Describing psychiatric phenomenology using appropriate language
Eliciting and exploring psychiatric symptoms with patients
Documenting the mental state examination
Risk Assessment and Management
Understanding the risks faced by people with mental illness
Identifying dynamic and static risk factors
Engaging patients in a therapeutic conversation about risk
Formulating risk using the ‘4P’ model
Developing an effective and collaborative safety plan
Documenting risk and safety plans
De-escalation and Distress Management
Understanding reasons for agitation and aggression
Identifying early warning signs of escalation
Verbally de-escalating a distressed or agitated person
Recommending strategies to prevent and reduce the risk of escalation
Additional Curriculum
Covering Diagnosis and Formulation, Psychopharmacology, Physical Health, and Mental Health Law

This collaboration stands as a testament to NHS England's unwavering commitment to supporting the continuous professional development of its healthcare workforce. As the NHS continues its pursuit of excellence, this initiative marks a pivotal step forward in enhancing mental health education within the healthcare system.