Epidemiology and psychiatric sciences
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Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci · Mar 2012
EditorialThe great east Japan earthquake in 2011; toward sustainable mental health care system.
In face with a triple disaster of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant accident, the degrees of which are historically hardly preceded, immediate mental health countermeasure was taken by the initiative of the national and local government together with academic and clinical organizations. Based on previous experience of natural disasters, more than 50 mental health care teams have been organized and dispatched to the affected areas, scheduled by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. ⋯ Existing guidelines should be respected but actually it tended to be only partially recognized. In Fukushima prefecture, where nuclear plant accident occurred, its mental health impact is most concerned and long-term follow-up of the residents' health has been being planned.
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Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci · Dec 2011
Editorial ReviewBurnout and psychiatrists: what do we know and where to from here?
Medicine in most parts of the world is becoming a stressful profession. Psychiatrists represent a high-risk group among doctors for experiencing burnout, alcohol and drug use, posing suicide risk and other forms of work-related stress. ⋯ Methodologically sound studies are needed to help us understand positive aspects of psychiatry as a profession and the environment psychiatrists work in. Effective treatment programmes for burnout are also needed not only to reduce suffering but also to retain psychiatrists in the profession.