A typical master class involves a Master and a Class. Unlike other masters, the organisers of this master-class chose a problem-based learning approach and encouraged all attendees to bring cases relating to youth mental health or addiction issues for the class discussion. My classmates were doctors and other health or community care professionals from the Mid-West of Ireland. From 2.00pm-4.30pm, on 1st April 2014, The Graduate Entry Medical Schoolof the University of Limerick, in association with the Youth Mental Health in Primary Care research team, hosted a master-class on interacting with young people around areas of mental health and addiction.
Following welcomes and introductions by the organisers (shown in Figure 1), three small groups discussed patient scenarios. In the scenario about cough, they recognised that the cough can be only a symptom of a bigger issue that brought the patient to see the doctor. The focus of such consultation should be on making the patient come back, because the bigger issue can’t be resolved in just one consultation. Our need to gather information can be a barrier for reaching this objective. The main issue in the disordered eating scenario was how to ask a parent to leave the surgery so that the adolescent can talk with the doctor alone.
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| Figure 1. Dr Andrew O’Regan (L) and Prof Walter Cullen (R). Dr Liz Schaffalitzky (not pictured) co-organized the session. |
The 36 participants learned how to conduct a youth-friendly session with a young person, and how to use a brief intervention to address youth mental health and substance use in consultations. The importance and cost-effectiveness of early intervention in youth mental health and addiction and the role of general practice in early intervention were also discussed.
The class concluded by an extended Q & A session with youth mental health experts Dr Declan Aherne (Director of Oakwood Psychological Services), Dr Rachel Davis (Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist), Mr Rory Keane (Regional Drug Coordinator), Mr David McPhillips, (Community Substance Misuse Team), and Dr Patrick Ryan (Clinical Psychologist).