Defining thought broadcast. Semi-structured literature review.

Abstract

The symptom of thought broadcast may have diagnostic significance but its definition varies. 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. 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). 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. Thought broadcast means different things to different people. Inconsistent terminology might impair communication in clinical and research contexts.