Images in Psychiatry. al-Razi (Rhazes), 865-925

Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Zakariya Al-Razi (Rhazes) (865-925): The Founder of the First Psychiatric Ward

Abu Bakr Muhammad Ibn Zakariya Al-Razi, also known as Rhazes, was a 10th-century Persian polymath who made significant contributions to medicine, philosophy, chemistry, and psychiatry. He is credited with founding the first psychiatric ward in Baghdad, highlighting the medical treatment of mental illnesses. His empirical and innovative approaches to clinical observation and experimentation laid the basis for modern evidence-based medicine. Al-Razi's comprehensive works, such as "The Comprehensive Book," profoundly influenced both Islamic and European medical practices, securing his legacy as a pivotal figure in medical history. Therefore, the primary objective of this narrative review is to revisit the remarkable contributions of Al-Razi in the field of psychiatry, specifically highlighting his role as the founder of the first psychiatric ward.

Creating the HAPS Physiology Learning Outcomes: terminology, eponyms, inclusive language, core concepts, and skills

Learning outcomes are an essential element in curriculum development because they describe what students should be able to do by the end of a course or program and they provide a roadmap for designing assessments. This article describes the development of competency-based learning outcomes for a one-semester undergraduate introductory human physiology course. Key elements in the development process included decisions about terminology, eponyms, use of the word "normal," and similar considerations for inclusivity. The outcomes are keyed to related physiology core concepts and to process skills that can be taught along with the content. The learning outcomes have been published under a Creative Commons license by the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) and are available free of charge on the HAPS website.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article describes the development of competency-based learning outcomes for introductory undergraduate human physiology courses that were published and made available free of charge by the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS). These learning outcomes can be edited and are keyed to physiology core concepts and to process skills that can be taught along with the content.

Psychiatric nursing as 'different' care: experience of Iranian mental health nurses in inpatient psychiatric wards

Patients with mental illness require unique and specific care. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of nurses, who provide such care for mentally ill people, within the context of Iranian culture. This hermeneutic phenomenological study was carried out in a university-affiliated hospital in an urban area of Iran. We interviewed 10 mental health nurses to capture in detail their experiences in psychiatric units, and the approach developed by Diekelmann et al. was employed to analyse the data. Four themes and five sub-themes were identified: 'being engaged with patients' (sub-themes: 'struggle for monitor/control', 'safety/security concerns', 'supporting physiological and emotional needs'), 'being competent', 'altruistic care' and 'facing difficulties and challenges' (sub-themes: 'socio-cultural' and 'organizational challenges'). The results provide valuable insights and greater understanding of the professional experiences of psychiatric nurses in Iran, and indicate the need for a stable and responsible organizational structure for those nurses who are expected to manage patient care in psychiatric wards.

The circle before willis: a historical account of the intracranial anastomosis

The circle of Willis is one of the most famous eponymous structures in human anatomy. There is no doubt Thomas Willis at Oxford accurately demonstrated the anastomotic arterial supply at the base of the brain. However, this eponymous name does not reveal the history of the discovery of the ramification, nor does it give credit to the anatomists and artists who have contributed to the understanding of this clinically important structure. This article first traces the story of the discovery of the circle of Willis. Willis' contribution and innovative approaches are then discussed. Finally, despite Willis' not being the first to describe the circle, we explain why he still deserves to retain the eponymous title. The earlier description of the vasculature at the base of the brain was fixated on a nonexistent structure, at least not in humans, named the rete mirabile. The more scientific study of the blood supply to the brain took place during the Renaissance period, which culminated in the work of Thomas Willis in the 17th century.