Psychological counselling in patients with a peripheral facial palsy: initial experience from an expert centre, 2021, Siemann et al

ABSTRACT

Background
: The aims of this pilot study were to evaluate the psychologist's role on the multidisciplinary team during peripheral facial palsy (PFP) patient care and to identify the potential predictors of anxiety and depressive symptoms/disorders in PFP patients.

Methods
: Using the prospective non-controlled study design, PFP patients aged 18–75 years who presented to the Radboud Facial Palsy Expert Centre, the Netherlands, were enrolled during a 1-year interval. The main outcome variables were 1) anxiety and depression in relation to PFP using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and 2) the outcome of psychological counselling in patients with a HADS score ≥ 8.

Results
: A sample comprised 25 patients (68% females, 56% right-side PFP, 16% House–Brackmann scale I–II) with a mean age of 50 ± 14 years were referred to a psychologist. The proportion of patients with a HADS score ≥8, were 16 (64%) and 13 (52%), respectively. Especially, coping (in general or coping with the disease, 48%) and/or help with the choice of possible surgery (8.0%) were important reasons for counselling. In one case, a patient had chronic fatigue syndrome and was therefore referred to a psychological specialist centre. One patient was treated with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) with good results.

Conclusions
: Despite a small sample size and limited statistical analyses, the results of this study suggest that one-eighth of the PFP patients require psychological evaluation and treatments. This pilot study emphasises the important role of psychological screening and counselling in PFP patient care.

Paywall, https://www.jprasurg.com/article/S1748-6815(21)00622-7/fulltext

 

What???

I have both Bell's Palsy - possibly the correct term for peripheral facial palsy - and ME. I do not need psychiatric/psychological help!

(I have certainly been offered it. It is a waste of precious time.)

 

Too many psychology students. While some go on to do useful and necessary jobs in psychology, and others go on to work in unrelated professions, the sheer numbers encourage engagement in undemanding, low quality, dross psychosocial research.


2014: .... 'Since the start of this century, the number of undergraduate psychology students in the UK has more than doubled and now stands at over 60,000 (Trapp et al., 2011). This growth has created jobs. A rough calculation based on 30,000 extra students since 2000 suggests there are up to 1500 more lecturing posts. These lecturers generate research activity, which in turn creates research posts.'

https://thepsychologist.bps.org.uk/volume-27/december-2014/what-happening-level-psychology

 

Supply or demand?


'Despite psychology being a popular subject to study at degree level, staffing mental health services remains hugely challenging. With ambitions to grow the numbers of psychologists and psychotherapists by 2023/24, this report looks at the size and make up of the workforce of those with a background of psychology to better understand their career choices.'

'Now, as much as ever, there is a need to ensure that there is enough capacity to promote psychological wellbeing and treat and prevent mental health conditions. However, staffing such services has, to date, proved challenging. Psychology is one of the most popular subjects to study at degree level: over 24,000 students were accepted onto UK undergraduate courses alone in 2019, accounting for one in 20 students1. These students study the mind and how it influences our behaviour and how this understanding can help us address the challenges facing society'

https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/re...ssion-in-psychology-career-paths#key-findings

 

Psychiatrists and psychologists are increasingly all over the radio and TV. I actually studied it for a year, not realising that it's not based on evidence. My niece has a degree (Masters, I think) in the subject.

When my usual doctor was away I had the misfortune to fall victim to his colleague, who promptly sent me on time-, energy- and money-consuming (transport) appointments with psychiatrists.

Aaagghh!

I wonder whether he will take on board the new ME criteria...