ABSTRACT
The Czech Republic is a country in transition, and its historical sociopolitical isolationism lingers to this day, with restrictive attitudes towards immigrants. International collaborations among transcultural psychiatrists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) could help increase awareness of the service needs of immigrants and improve access to mental healthcare. A lack of state and academic interest persists despite the increasing importance of the issue. These neglected problems burden NGOs that have limited financial and staffing resources. Legislation on the humanitarian needs of immigrants must enhance the efforts of NGOs, and psychiatrists may serve as liaisons to effect the necessary change.
Subject(s)
Emigrants and Immigrants/psychology , Psychiatric Rehabilitation , Psychiatry , Czech Republic , Delivery of Health Care , Humans , Mental Health Services/economics , Mental Health Services/organization & administration , OrganizationsABSTRACT
Psychodynamic psychiatry remains a challenging subject to teach in underserved areas, where enthusiasm to learn is substantial. Besides logistical and psychiatric workforce shortcomings, sensible cultural adaptations to make psychodynamic psychiatry relevant outside of high-income countries require creative effort. Innovative pedagogical methods that include carefully crafted mentoring and incorporate videoconferencing in combination with site visits can be implemented through international collaborations. Emphasis on mentoring is essential to adequately train future psychodynamic psychotherapy supervisors. Examples of World Psychiatric Association initiatives in countries such as Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and Thailand are presented as possible models to emulate elsewhere.
