The challenges facing the public mental health sector: implications of the Victorian Psychiatry workforce project

OBJECTIVES

This paper reviews the major findings of the Victorian Psychiatry Attraction, Recruitment and Retention Needs Analysis Project and considers some of the implications for the psychiatrist workforce working in public sector psychiatry.

CONCLUSIONS

The report provides a snapshot of the issues that are impairing the ability of Victorian psychiatrists to comprehensively treat those in our community who have severe mental illness. As the report shows, the issues impacting the profession are multi-faceted and complex, yet surmountable.

Pharmacological approaches to the management of schizophrenia: 10 years on

OBJECTIVE

To review the contemporary landscape regarding pharmacological treatments for schizophrenia.

METHOD

Selective literature review.

RESULTS

Newer antipsychotic agents include aripiprazole, asenapine, paliperidone, sertindole and ziprasidone. Each has some particular benefits and some shortcomings. Overall treatment efficacy (for positive symptoms at least) has not advanced substantially but some newer agents might have a better profile than older typical agents for negative and cognitive symptoms. Metabolic side effects and hyperprolactinaemia remain a problem with some of the newer agents and appropriate monitoring is required.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst newer antipsychotics have been welcome additions to our pharmacological armamentarium, mostly in terms of tolerability, we have still not seen a 'quantum leap' agent brought to market. Mechanisms of action apart from post-synaptic dopamine blockade appear worthy of further investigation in this regard.

Beyond the evidence: is there a place for antidepressant combinations in the pharmacotherapy of depression?

Up to 45% of patients with debilitating and potentially lethal depressive illness do not achieve remission with initial drug treatment. Using combinations of antidepressants as an early option for treatment-resistant depression has become increasingly common. Before trying combination therapy, it is essential first to ensure diagnosis is correct, and then to optimise antidepressant monotherapy, using an effective dose for an adequate period. Subsequently, augmentation of antidepressants with lithium and triiodothyronine should be considered, as these strategies are strongly supported by numerous clinical trials. Electroconvulsive therapy is the most effective treatment for severe depression. There is little evidence to support use of antidepressant combinations. Risk of toxicity and drug interactions mandate that combinations be used as a last resort, and only in specialist settings.

Severe renal failure and nephrocalcinosis in anorexia nervosa

Two patients with anorexia nervosa and raised serum creatinine levels were found to have nephrocalcinosis on renal biopsy, an association not previously described.