Suggesting the Establishment of Policy Research Institute of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association / 신경정신의학

ABSTRACT

The Korean Neuropsychiatric Association (KNPA) has played pivotal role in establishing academic authority and identity as the official organization of psychiatrists in Korea since 1945. Although current development of KNPA has been distinguished, it is time to answer all the demands of members who are arguing that the activities of KNPA have to more focus on the rights of members and interests related to social and economical status as well as academic interests. Thus, the authors tried to suggest a plan to make stable production of mental health related policy by constitutional improvement with focusing on continuity and specialty by benchmarking domestic and foreign professional organization, brainstorming in members of special task force team and qualitative research for specialists in the KNPA. These results showed that it would be needed to change the system of the KNPA, but the improving process should be gradually followed based on extensive agreement to the initiatives and priorities of changes. Therefore, we suggest the step-by-step realistic plan composed of strengthening the role of the secretariat and board members of KNPA (improving continuity) and establishing vigorous planning group (improving specialty) as preplatform status of the establishment of Research Institute for Mental Health, which would be essential for the future but highly cost burden.