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The British Journal of Psychiatry (2003) 183: 287-291
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

REVIEW ARTICLE

Defining thought broadcast

Semi-structured literature review

AJAYKUMAR V. PAWAR, MRCPsych and SEAN A. SPENCE, MRCPsych

Academic Clinical Psychiatry, University of Sheffield, UK

Correspondence: Dr Sean A. Spence, Reader in General Adult Psychiatry, Academic Clinical Psychiatry, Division of Genomic Medicine, University of Sheffield, The Longley Centre, Norwood Grange Drive, Sheffield S5 7JT, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 114 22 61519; fax: +44 (0) 114 22 61522; e-mail: S.A.Spence{at}Sheffield.ac.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Background The symptom of thought broadcast may have diagnostic significance but its definition varies.

Aims To examine multiple definitions of thought broadcast in different texts, to synthesise their common features and to undertake local and national surveys of psychiatrists to determine which definitions they endorse.

Method A semi-structured literature review of electronic databases, supplemented by a manual search of psychiatric textbooks, conceptual analyses and postal surveys of clinicians in North Trent (58 trainees and 70 consultants) and throughout the UK (49 professors of general adult psychiatry).

Results Thought broadcast is susceptible to multiple definitions: three exemplars were identified in the literature, each endorsed by influential authors. Among those psychiatrists responding to the survey (approximately 59%), some endorsed each definition of thought broadcast.

Conclusions Thought broadcast means different things to different people. Inconsistent terminology might impair communication in clinical and research contexts.




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