Psychopharmacology update and psychological skills for treating schizophrenia

The first segment of this course will be conducted in collaboration with the Maudsley National Psychosis Service, offering an update on the latest evidence and strategies for managing schizophrenia. Esteemed experts from the National Psychosis Service, Maudsley Pharmacy, and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience will unite to share their insights as both researchers and clinicians in a highly interactive and practical learning session. Participants will enhance their skills and confidence in caring for patients with complex psychotic disorders and will have the opportunity to seek advice from experts on their most challenging clinical scenarios.

The second segment of the course will be conducted in collaboration with the Maudsley Learning simulation experts. This interactive session is designed to integrate the day's earlier learning seamlessly into an engaging experience involving a simulated patient. This offers an opportunity to boost confidence and exchange knowledge and experiences with others in an open forum-style setting. During this session, participants will engage in discussions with a simulated patient diagnosed with schizophrenia for an extended period, utilizing a free-flowing forum theatre-style simulation. Working in small groups of 3-4, clinicians will interact with the patient within a framework covering lifestyle, personal history, substance use, and treatment, in accordance with the Care Programme Approach (CPA) model. This will be complemented by guided debriefings that delve into relevant themes, the interplay between knowledge, experience, and human factors, and considerations for their application in practice.