Exeter interview

Question 1

What does NICE stand for?

Answer 1

National Institute for health and Care Excellence

Question 2

What two modules interests you?

Answer 2

• Psychology applied to health
• Clinical neuroscience: brains, drugs and psychiatry

Question 3

What is Frankie’s history with depression?

Answer 3

• Previously had occurrence of depression, making it recurrent depression
• Benefitted from previous SSRI treatment
• Previously did not benefit from talking treatment, but sought help in the local community
• Had past ‘ideation’: with thoughts that life was not worth living.

Question 4

What is Frankie’s current status?

Answer 4

• Is currently on long-term sick leave from their job as a chef
• Has chronic lower back issues that have worsened (psychosomatic??)
• Has been prescribed 10mg of citalopram.
• Has been referred to the NHS talking therapies service

Question 5

What is important to consider with Frankie?

Answer 5

• Depression severity and risk assessment
• NICE guideline treatment approach
• Psychological therapy

Question 6

What would be good questions to ask Frankie?

Answer 6

• ## Can you identify an event that may have triggered this low mood? (discern whether endogenous or reactive)

Question 7

What does Frankie not attending work signify, and what aspect of CBT can treat it?

Answer 7

• Functional impairment
• Behavioural activation

Question 8

What is CBT?

Answer 8

A structured and goal-oriented therapy that has the purpose of altering negative thought patterns and behaviours.

Question 9

According to NICE, was starting citalopram a good idea?

Answer 9

In line with NICE guidelines, SSRI treatment is a recommended first-line treatment for moderate depression.

Question 10

What is a complexity in Frankie’s history and how can I deal with it?

Answer 10

• Frankie did not previously benefit from talking therapies.
• It is stated that Frankie had previously sought support from the local community, this proposes that low intensity methods may be more suitable.
• For example: self help options or group therapy, as they have been seen to interact with community.

Question 11

What is the role of PWPs?

Answer 11

• ## To assess and support people with common mental health problems (anxiety disorder and depression) to manage their recovery.

Question 12

What does the doctor seeking PWP support suggest about the nature of Frankie’s depression?

Answer 12

• PWPs work with people with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, in Frankie’s case, so this is a mild to moderate depression.