Course description
Programme description
The programme enables students to develop the critical skills necessary to assess and manage risk of antisocial and criminal behaviour and to establish, manage and evaluate programmes for reducing such behaviour as well as co-ordinating treatment and service programmes in a variety of settings.
Students will be able to evaluate scientific literature on mental disorders and antisocial and criminal behaviour and to review new findings on the assessment, treatment and management of individuals affected by mental disorders who are prone to such behaviour. The programme will also equip students with an expertise in legislation affecting such individuals.
Programme modules for MSc Clinical Forensic Psychiatry
Associations between Mental Disorders & Antisocial & Criminal Behaviours (15 credits) (Core Module)
A review of what is known about the aetiology of antisocial and criminal behaviours among persons with mental disorders. Aims to: help students gain an understanding of antisocial and criminal behaviours among persons with mental disorders; help students gain an understanding of recent evidence concerning the aetiology of antisocial and criminal behaviours among persons with mental disorders; help students gain an understanding of methodological issues that impact on the interpretation of results of investigations reviewed above; prepare students to be able to critically review new findings in the field. Assessment will take the form of two take-home examinations, comprising questions requiring the student to review required readings and lecture notes and provide written answers of 1500 - 2,500 words.
Civil and criminal law affecting individuals with mental disorders (15 Credits) (Core Module)
The educational aims of this module are to: integrate an advanced practical and theoretical understanding of mental health law from the perspective of both law and mental health; gain an advanced understanding of the ethical dilemmas involved in the legal detention of mentally disordered offenders; gain an advanced understanding of the use of civil and criminal mental health law; gain a superior level understanding of mental capacity and a superior ability to assess mental capacity. Students will develop an advanced understanding of the ethical dilemmas involved in the legal detention of mentally disordered offenders, and the use of civil and criminal mental health law. In particular the Mental Capacity Act and the impact this has on mental health practice will be discussed at an advanced level. Students will be capable of independent thought and ability to complete advanced literature searches together with analysis and interpretation of research and practice. They will identify and solve high-level problems centring on mental disorder, antisocial behaviour and criminal offending, including wider ethical issues, and will also be able to critically review extant literature on the subject and be able to complete advanced-level review & analysis of research findings. Finally, students will be able to: master assessment of mental capacity, implement change in clinical practice in accordance with advanced learning regarding mental health law and intervention in legal forums on mental disorder & antisocial/criminal behaviour. Assessment is by one three-hour unseen written examination, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module.
Dissertation - Clinical Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (60 Credits) (Core Module)
The educational aims of this module is to carry out a comprehensive systematic review or metanalysis of 10,000 words. At the end of the modules the students will be able to: undertake a small piece of empirical research; demonstrate advanced skills in research, critical appraisal, report writing. At the end of this module, students will have the knowledge and understanding to undertake: an independent evaluation of research publications, journal articles, clinical guidance and other factors which influence clinical decision-making in forensic mental health; advanced critical evaluation skills; development of advanced research skills. Students will develop independent thought and ability to complete advanced literature searches together with analysis and interpretation of research and practice, as well as an ability to develop advanced an authoritative argument, and understand and analyse all the risk, ethical and clinical issues involved. In terms of practical skills, students develop: research skills. presentation skills, critical appraisal skills, and problem solving in the field of forensic mental health and the interpretation of extant relevant scientific literature Assessment is by a 10,000-word dissertation, which accounts for 100% of the final grade for this module
Evidence Based Clinical Practice (30 Credits) (Core Module)
At journal club students are assigned to present articles reporting on studies on risk assessment, risk management and treatments and services effective in reducing violent, antisocial and criminal behaviours. Students are required to assess the validity and importance of the findings and discuss how they could be integrated into current practice. Students will be expected to display an advanced level of evaluative, analytical and critical appraisal skills, such that they would be able to review papers for peer-reviewed journals. By the end of the module, students will gain: 1.Knowledge and Understanding of: independent evaluation of research publications, journal articles, clinical guidance and other factors which influence clinical decision-making in forensic mental health, taking into account the advanced skills required in order to weigh in balance the clinical needs of the individual, the legal aspects, any ethical issues and the wider impact on society. 2. Intellectual skills: independent thought and ability to complete advanced literature searches together with analysis and interpretation of research and practice; ability to develop advanced an authoritative argument, and understand and analyse all the risk, ethical and clinical issues involved. Practical skills:Research skills; Presentation skills; Critical appraisal skills; Problem solving in the field of forensic mental health and the interpretation of extant relevant scientific literature. Assessment is by a 3,500-word critique, accounting for 50% of the final grade for this module, and a one-hour oral examination (50%).
Risk Management, Treatment & Services for Mentally Disordered Persons (30 Credits) (Core Module)
In this module students will review: recent discussions in the scientific and clinical literatures concerning the reasons for assessing risk of future violent behaviour; recent findings concerning the validity of various strategies for assessing risk of violent behaviour among persons with mental disorders recent empirical findings concerning the impact of treatment programmes and components of treatment and services on reducing violent and antisocial behaviours and criminal offending among persons with mental disorders. The objectives of this module are to: gain an understanding of the assessment and treatment of mentally disordered offenders; gain an understanding of the evidence base for psychological and biological treatments for mentally disordered offenders, including those with diagnoses of psychotic disorders and personality disorder; gain an understanding of methodological issues that impact on the interpretation of results of the literature reviewed above; gain an understanding of the organisation of forensic mental health services and how these services can be evaluated; prepare students to be able to critically review new publications on treatment interventions in mentally disordered offenders Assessment will take the form of two take-home examinations, comprising questions requiring the student to review required readings and lecture notes and provide written answers of 1500 - 2,500 words
Supervised clinical work (45 Credits) (Core Module)
The educational aims of this module are to: develop superior clinical skills in the assessment, management and treatment of mentally disordered offenders within a multi-disciplinary setting; gain experience of working in different forensic settings (high, medium and low security) and to gain an advanced understanding of the use of security as a therapeutic tool; learn advanced risk assessment and develop superior risk management plans to include both patients' security and therapeutic needs and public safety needs. Students will develop knowledge, understanding and practice in the risk assessment, management, treatment and service provision for mentally disordered offenders to an advanced standard. Experience of working with a multidisciplinary team within a forensic setting with mentally disordered offenders. Learn how to develop services specifically geared towards meeting the needs of mentally disordered offenders. Students will: develop independent thought and ability to complete advanced literature searches together with analysis and interpretation of research and practice; identify and solve high-level problems centring on mental disorder, antisocial behaviour and criminal offending, including wider ethical issues; develop advanced skills in report writing for medicolegal purposes. In terms of practical skills students will master assessment, diagnosis and development of management plans for antisocial/criminal behaviour, in particular taking note of risk issues. They will establish, plan and manage programmes to reduce above behaviour, and will co-ordinate treatment & service programmes for mentally disordered offenders. Students will be able to implement change in clinical practice and will be working with multidisciplinary teams. Assessment is by two 3000-word case reports, accounting for a total of 50% of the final grade for this module, a one-hour 15-minute clinical examination and a 30-minute oral examination, both 25% of the final grade.
