Attention System Function and Motor Impairment Following Cerebrovascular Accident: Examining Hemispheric Differences and Research Portfolio

O'Neill, Brian (2002) Attention System Function and Motor Impairment Following Cerebrovascular Accident: Examining Hemispheric Differences and Research Portfolio. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Aims To examine the frequency and demographics of referrals citing precipitant traumatic experience, to a Clinical Psychology service in an area of South Glasgow. Design Retrospective review of a random sample of case notes drawn from the total population of a one year period of referrals. Setting Department of Clinical Psychology, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51. Subjects Referral letters and case notes of a random sample of 160 patients, referred to the current department of clinical psychology between 1.4.1999 and 31.3.2000. Results 26 .2% of the current sample of referrals contained reference to a trauma, related, in the referrer's letter to the current problem. 33.7% of referrals assessed by psychologists were deemed to have an aetiologically significant trauma. The concordance between referrer and assessing psychologist was 91.7% for identification of traumatic history, although psychologists identified trauma significantly more frequently. PTSD, as diagnosed by the referrer, accounted for 5% of referrals. However trauma was deemed significant in a wide range of other disorders. Assault was the most frequent trauma type referred to (20% of all traumas). When broken down into sub-types, sexual assault was the single most frequently occurring trauma (11.9% of all traumas). Traumatisation failed to predict attendance at first appointment offered. Deprivation category predicted referral to the current service but did not predict traumatisation. Conclusions Even in the absence of a diagnosis of PTSD, traumatic events can be seen to precipitate the need to access mental health services. As the current service receives many such referrals, the importance of knowledge of work with victims of trauma is emphasised. Accurate prevalence rates within the service would be aided by clinicians feeding back diagnoses of patients seen. Responsibility for the allocation of post-traumatic referrals should also rest with a clinician with interest in and experience of work with the victims of trauma. As the presentations of disorder following trauma vary widely, appropriate treatment streams are advocated.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Adviser: Tom McMillan
• Keywords: Clinical psychology, Neurosciences
• Date of Award: 2002
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2002-76197
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 19 Nov 2019 16:29
• Last Modified: 19 Nov 2019 16:29
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/76197