Dermatology clinic psychology screening project shortlisted for BMJ Awards

A team of dermatologists who implemented a psychological screening programme into their clinic have been shortlisted for the prestigious BMJ Awards 2016.

Clinicians at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London have been nominated as Dermatology Team of the Year for their work.

The team at St John’s Institute of Dermatology at Guy’s introduced psychological screening into their clinics using the IMPARTS (Integrating Mental and Physical Healthcare: Research Training and Service) system, a project of King's Health Partners, including colleagues from the NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre.

Skin disease can be highly stigmatising, and surveys suggest that rates of mood and anxiety disorders are high in this population, yet the majority of patients are not screened for psychological distress. With IMPARTS, patients are asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their psychological state while they are waiting for their appointment.

Sinead Langan, a clinical scientist at the institute, told the BMJ that the questionnaires uncovered a lot of previously undiagnosed psychological problems in people with severe skin disorders, and the clinic has appointed an in-house psychologist as a result, providing support not only to patients but also to teaching, training, and research.

Four other teams from across the UK have been shortlisted for Dermatology Team of the Year, and the winner will be announced on Thursday 5 May at the Westminster Park Plaza Hotel in London.


Tags: Staff News -

By NIHR Maudsley BRC at 3 May 2016, 11:39 AM


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