Mental health virtual clinical session for trainee pharmacists

Trainee pharmacists recently took part in a virtual clinical session on mental health. The clinical areas covered included anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia.

The experts leading the session were Nigel Barnes (Chief Pharmacist) and Johanne Deeks (Deputy Chief Pharmacist) from Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust. To gain a glimpse of what a mental health facility is like for both patients and healthcare professionals, trainee pharmacists were able to experience a virtual tour of the Tamarind Centre, an 89-bed male medium secure facility run by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. The centre is named after an Africa herb said to promote healing and recovery. 

During the session trainee pharmacists discussed clinical cases, reflective of the real-world. Our future pharmacists were able to practice navigating relevant guidelines and utilise the information together with their existing knowledge of medicines, to provide safe, effective, person-centred care. Leading on case discussions is an essential skill in the workplace, especially during multidisciplinary team meetings.  

Trainee pharmacists were reminded of a quote from The NHS People Plan: “If we don’t look after ourselves, and each other, we cannot deliver safe, high quality care”. The session gave trainees an opportunity to consider their own mental health and wellbeing. At the end of the session, trainee pharmacists anonymously shared how they might do this. For example, trainees said they will take regular breaks, go to the gym, surround themselves with a good support network (family and friends), clear their head after work and have a timetable, have regular check-ins with their supervisor, reach out when they identify that they are struggling, maintain your hobbies and have self care days so that they maintain a work life balance.

A selection of quotes from trainee pharmacists about what they found most useful about the session:

• I really liked the case studies and the additional reading in the pre reading. The guest speakers were very helpful and engaging.
• The most useful aspect was when Jo spoke about her journey and inspired different routes in pharmacy.
• Being able to gain a greater insight of the different types of mental health, symptoms, and treatment management.
• I managed to learn a lot more about the medication options, signs and symptoms, and side effects of different mental health conditions. It's nice to have specialist speakers to give us advice on real-life experience on mental health specialty.
• I really enjoyed the case studies and talking them through with the experts.
• Working in groups and listening to the experts.
• The case studies were good, gave good questions and make you think about all the options.
• Really liked getting to know more about the specialists' experience in MH and how they came about it.