Update Conference is in three weeks. Register today! | |
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There are only three weeks left until the 2023 UTHealth Houston Psychiatry Update Conference kicks off! The conference, titled “Optimizing Clinical Care Using Technology: Clinical Mental Health Care and Digital Psychiatry,” will be held on Saturday, April 22, at the Denton A. Cooley, MD and Ralph C. Cooley DDS University Life Center
This all-day conference, which shares the latest advances in the behavioral and pharmacological management of major psychiatric disorders, will center on the opportunities and challenges of data science and digital health in clinical settings.
Topics include PTSD, bipolar disorder, opioid and substance use disorder, and suicide prevention from the perspective of using technology as part of treatment to improve the quality of care for patients.
Presentations and discussion will include the current limitations, implementation challenges, equity issues, and privacy and security considerations of available tools for the care of patients with mental health and substance use disorders.
This conference is intended for medical professionals, including physicians, psychologists, scientists, nurses and nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and social workers, as well as residents, fellows, interns, and medical students.
Register for the conference here.
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John receives education honor | |
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Vineeth John, MD, MBA, professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, was recently honnored with the Distinguished Teaching Professor at The University of Texas System in recognition of his significant contributions to education. Lisa D. Cain, PhD, professor and associate dean for professional development and faculty affairs, nominated him for this title.
John is professor and vice chair for education in the Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He also serves as director of the geriatric psychiatry section and was appointed one of the directors of Clinical Learning Environment at the medical school in 2019. He is currently the Chair of the Academy of Master Educators at McGovern Medical School. In May 2022, John was a visiting fellow at the Center for Academic Teaching at Utrecht University, Netherlands. John was one of the featured speakers for TEDx Houston 2012 where he spoke on dysfunctional styles of organizational leadership.
John has previously held positions of academic leadership at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. From 2010-2015, he directed the General Adult Psychiatry Residency Program at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.
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Spotlight:
De Quevedo tells a personal story of how philanthropy paints the picture of innovation
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Written by: Faith Harper
Joao de Quevedo, MD, PhD, sees beauty in his work, and his research and clinical roles as one color in the painting of a world-class, industry-leading academic institution that can help all patients restore their mental health.
Philanthropy, he said, is a primary color needed to create the next frontier of mental health care, as a place where patients — no matter how complex their disease — can live their happiest and best lives.
De Quevedo is a professor, clinician, and researcher within the Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, where he serves as professor and vice chair of faculty development and outreach. He also is both the director of the Center for Interventional Psychiatry Program and the Treatment-Resistant Depression Program, part of the Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders.
It’s not uncommon, he said, for patients to have tried 10 or more different treatments before being referred to the Treatment-Resistant Depression Clinic.
Treatment starts with reviewing the patient’s file, and checking to see if any options were overlooked, making adjustments, and then trying new therapies.
“One thing I say to my patients is, ‘Here, we never give up,’” he said. “There is no next level to refer patients to — we need to find ways to help them. We work with hope, and the only way to have hope is to have multiple plans — plans B, C, D, F.”
Philanthropy is the backdrop that allows for innovation, de Quevedo said. Philanthropic support at the UTHealth Houston Harris County Psychiatric Center and the Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center has funded research into using stem cells to treat bipolar depression, a clinical trial using deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression, and more.
“Innovative ideas are not funded by federal agencies — they want low risk,” de Quevedo said. “Because of that, research needs philanthropy. You may have a great idea, but you need data to prove it might work before you can get federal funding. You can’t get the big money without having the pilot or prototype, and the only way to fund that is through philanthropy.”
De Quevedo has more than two decades of experience helping patients diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression, and he said he also gives financially to UTHealth Houston because he sees the impact his work has on the community he serves.
“It makes sense to me to give to things that are tangible, and I can see the tangible difference this university makes in people’s lives," de Quevedo said. "I love when patients improve. Some patients are depressed for decades and then in one way or another you find an adjustment — be it a medication or treatment — and the person is able to be fully functional.
“It’s really rewarding because it creates waves in the community. Each person who gets back on track means a family is back on track, a professional who is back to work, and it snowballs. We see our impact not only on the individual, but in the impact that individual will make in the community — it’s a beautiful thing to see.”
The university rests on three pillars: patient care, research, and education.
“We are exceptional at patient care, and we are outstanding at education, but we are still developing the research piece,” de Quevedo said “That’s why philanthropic funds are so important to us, so we can do innovative things and advance the health of the community we serve.”
The structure of UTHealth Houston is a work of art itself. At its heart are the people who come to the university to train and care for patients.
“It’s like being an artist, working on a masterpiece — but the painting is not ready,” De Quevedo said. “UTHealth Houston had a vision to build the largest academic psychiatric hospital in the country. We did that, and now the vision is to create a curriculum to train the next generation of mental health professionals to support the facility and address statewide gaps in care accessibility. There are always aspects to enhance or colors to add to the painting — it’ll never be done. What we are building here is unique, innovative, and beautiful. I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Support important work at UTHealth Houston by participating in Giving Day on Tuesday, April 4.
During the 5th annual UTHealth Houston Giving Day, you can support the Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and many other university initiatives by visiting givingday.uth.edu.
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Soutullo presents at conference in Spain | |
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Cesar Soutullo, MD, PhD, professor and vice chair and chief of child & adolescent psychiatry, presented his research on factors associated with adherence to treatment in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at the 25th International Congress in Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Valencia, Spain.
In collaboration with UTHealth Houston School of Biomedical Informatics and the Healthcare Transformation Initiatives team at UT Physicians, the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, Soutullo and his team are exploring the levels of adherence to ADHD treatment in children, and how to improve it. According to clinical data, Soutullo says adherence to ADHD medications can drop to as low to 30% just six months after the initial medication is prescribed. He says patients will drop on and off medication from time to time, as well as develop practices such as not taking the medication on the weekends or during holidays.
Soutullo and the other collaborators have created a dashboard to help fellow physicians identify the patients who are not adhering to the medications as prescribed. They have also developed materials that physicians can hand out to parents of children about a medication and when it should be taken; and they have included an option for pediatricians to recommend the patients back to their initial therapy if they are not taking their medications as prescribed.
Soutullo is excited to be a part of educating the medical community in trying to solve the adherence to prescribed medications for ADHD.
“In my position at UTHealth Houston, I put a lot of emphasis on educating those in the clinics who see patients every day,” Soutullo said. “It is very important because whatever we’re doing in the United States is used as reference point for the rest of the world. I always emphasize for everyone follow the medication guidelines.”
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Arriola Vigo and Patient Safety Work Group develop resource document for American Psychiatric Association | |
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Jose Arriola Vigo, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, is a member of the Patient Safety Work Group of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Council on Quality Care. He and the rest of the team developed a resource document highlighting quality and safety considerations in the use of seclusion and restraint that was published on the APA website.
Arriola Vigo, who is on the APA’s Patient Safety Work Group, and members of the group looked at two methods used to ensure the safety of the patient and caregiver: seclusion and restraint. Seclusion the is act of separating a patient alone in a room, while restraint refers to physical holding.
Arriola Vigo said a discussion of the methods, which are used only in very specific situations, can be a sensitive topic for caregivers because they have been associated with negative outcomes in the past. Arriola Vigo says seclusion and restraint should be used as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted.
Arriola Vigo and his team developed a document, specifically for psychiatrists, which outlines important considerations to keep in mind when giving these last-resort forms of intervention:
1. Use decision-support algorithms to help guide the use of seclusion or restraint.
2. Understanding the clinician’s role in seclusion or restraint can lead to more appropriate use of these interventions.
3. Understanding the risks can reduce harm when using seclusion or restraint.
4. Advocating for availability of environmental interventions, including seclusion rooms, can minimize the need for restraint.
5. Considering the patient’s experience of seclusion or restraint, and psychiatric advance directives, are important when evaluating the use of these interventions.
6. Using a culturally competent, trauma-informed, and patient-centered approach is
necessary when making decisions about whether to use seclusion or restraint.
Arriola Vigo is honored to be a member of the safety group and provide important information on an important topic.
“It is definitely a rewarding experience,” Arriola Vigo said. “We are trying to make an impact on patient safety. Ultimately, this is going to be a helpful document physicians and other health care providers can access.”
The goal of the safety council is to monitor, develop, and carry out activities to ensure that the highest standards and quality of care remain integral parts of the APA mission. The council oversees various fellowships and components such as committees, task forces, and work groups that fall within its purview.
Read the full document here.
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Today is the last day to take 20% off Trauma and Resilience Conference | |
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Registration for the 2023 UTHealth Houston Trauma & Resilience Conference, Elder Abuse and Mistreatment: Identification to Intervention, is now open. The conference will be held on Friday, June 2, starting at 8 a.m. at the Intercontinental Hotel located in the Texas Medical Center.
The conference will provide attendees with updates on the latest advances in elder abuse assessment and treatment in the context of introducing clinicians to the opportunities and challenges that identifying and caring for this population presents. The presentations will also provide guidance on the ethical and effective treatments and practices when caring for older patients.
Sign up today to take advantage of the 20% early bird discount. Today is the last day the code is valid. At checkout, use code “UPDATE20” to apply the discount. After today, there will be no additional discounts offered.
We hope to host all of you at the inaugural UTHealth Houston Trauma and Resilience Conference!
Register for the conference here.
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The following clinical trials are in operation, following all necessary safety guidelines. If you're interested, contact the appropriate study.
Developing Adaptive Interventions for Cocaine Cessation and Relapse Prevention
We are conducting a study to develop adaptive treatment interventions that change based on how the participant is doing. Individuals seeking treatment for cocaine addiction may qualify to participate in this two-phase program.
Contact: 713-500-DRUG (3784)
Stem Cells for Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression
This study aims to examine the safety and efficacy of allogenic mesenchymal stem cells as an adjunctive treatment for treatment-resistant bipolar depression. Patients will be assigned into a treatment or a placebo group.
Contact: 713-486-2627
VNS RECOVER Study
Researchers in the UTHealth Houston Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders are studying the VNS therapy LivaNova device to treat depression as part of the RECOVER trial.
Contact: 713-486-2627
To see all open studies, visit our website.
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Understanding heterogeneity in suicidal thoughts and behaviours and the implications for genetic studies - a commentary on Lannoy et al - Pub Med - March 2023
Salahudeen Mirza, Anna R Docherty, Eric T Monson, Hilary Coon, Brooks Keeshin, Gabriel R Fries
Association between the epigenetic lifespan predictor GrimAge and history of suicide attempt in bipolar disorder - American College of Neuropsychopharmacology - March 2023
Camila N. C. Lima, Emese H.C. Kovacs, Salahudeen Mirza, Alexandra Del Favero-Cambell, Alexandre Paim Diaz, Joao de Quevedo, Benney M.R. Argue, Jenny Gringer Richards, Aislinn Williams, John A. Wemmie, Vincenet A. Magnotta, Jess G. Fiedorowicz, Jair C. Soares, Marie E. Gaine, and Gabriel Fries
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Jennifer Bahrman, PhD, was on Doug Pike’s Fifty+ show on KPRC Radio to talk about chronically depressed teenagers (10:06 mark).
Bahrman also spoke to The Healthy about the benefits of sun exposure for your mental health.
Lokesh Shahani, MD, PhD, was quoted by Medical News Today about how melatonin may help with mental health.
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Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
713-486-2500
Email
Website
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