Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54 No. 2, 2026.
Meeting abstract
https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.131
On Call Without a Mentor – A Simulation Workshop on Clinical Decision-Making in Emergency Psychiatry
Marta Skelin Dumbović
; University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Bolnička cesta 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
*
Sekcija mladih psihijatara i specijalizanata psihijatrije Hrvatske
; University Psychiatric Hospital Vrapče, Bolnička cesta 32, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Specialization in psychiatry provides a solid theoretical
foundation, but young psychiatrists often
report that, during training, there is insufficient
practice in making clinical decisions in complex
and uncertain situations that characterize everyday
work in emergency psychiatry. Assessing
suicidal or hetero-aggressive risk, deciding
on hospitalization, applying coercive measures,
communicating with the patient and family
members, and appropriately documenting procedures
are challenges that require the simultaneous
application of professional knowledge, familiarity
with the legal framework, high-quality
record-keeping, and communication skills. The
aim of the workshop is to improve clinical decision-
making through experiential learning based
on the simulation of a psychiatric on-call shift.
Participants will be divided into smaller teams
that will, during the workshop, take on the role of the on-call psychiatrist and make decisions in
a series of realistically designed clinical scenarios.
Each scenario will include elements of uncertainty
and dynamically changing circumstances, such
as new information, family members’ demands,
police involvement, or changes in the patient’s
clinical condition, thereby approximating real oncall
conditions. The workshop will use methods of
simulation, small-group work, structured discussion,
and interactive voting. After each scenario,
there will be an analysis of the decision-making
process with emphasis on clinical reasoning, risk
assessment, communication strategies, the most
common errors, and the medico-legal aspects of
psychiatric practice. It is expected that, after the
workshop, participants will feel more confident in
using a structured approach to psychiatric emergencies,
more effective in making clinical decisions
under time pressure, and better equipped
for independent and responsible on-call work.
The interactive format of the workshop supports
the development of clinical thinking and teamwork
and represents an innovative educational
approach in the field of continuing education for
psychiatrists.
Keywords
on-call psychiatry; clinical dilemma; psychosis; suicidality
Hrčak ID:
352258
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2026.
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