January 1999
Bulletin Volume 1, Issue 3
(for internal Circulation
to members only)
7th Congress
of ASEAN Federation for Psychiatry and Mental Health,
11th ASEAN Forum on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
& 6th Malaysian Conference on Psychological
Medicine
Reported by Dr Daniel
Fung
Arriving at the spanking
new facilities at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on
the late evening flight on a Thursday guaranteed that
I was not going to be able to take in the sights and sounds
of KL just yet. It was certainly made worse by having
to wait almost half an hour for the baggage to come through.
Subang Sheraton Hotel was a welcome sight after nearly
30 minutes of driving through a slight drizzle. An SPA
committee member on the same flight suggested a late-night
repast which I could hardly resist (since he offered to
pick up the tab). He plowed through fried kway teow
with gusto (I distinctly remember him having a similar
meal back at Changi Airport a couple of hours before).
I managed to half my mee mamak (a Malaysian version
of mee goreng) as he licked up the last of his
kway teow. By the time I hit the sack, it was well
past midnight and cable television was largely disappointing.
The next morning, I struggled
with whether I should attend the opening ceremony or catch
a couple more winks in bed. My sense of responsibility
led me into the huge ballroom that was to be the site
of all the plenary sessions. I had anticipated a prolonged
speech by the Minister of Health but was surprisingly
entertained by his tongue-in-cheek comments. I chuckled
throughout his amusing jokes and proclamation that the
Malaysian "Tongkat Ali" was a better
alternative than Viagra. He brought his extended speech
to a close with an exhortation to the Malaysian psychiatrists
to start a "laughter" room as "laughter
was the best medicine".
The Scientific Programme
ranged from "Oh-no-I-could-tear-my-hair-out"
pharmaceutical talks to more fascinating dissertations
on discontinuation syndromes and depression in children
and adolescents. Being a child psychiatrist makes the
latter an instant attraction. Dr Joseph Rey’s rendition
of depression in children and teenagers was a revelation,
sweeping in coverage and yet succinct in his account.
His suggestion of using ECT in teenagers remains controversial
but he has published an article recently on the topic
in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Between catching up with
old friends, making new ones and generally networking,
as all good, young and promising psychiatrists should,
I managed to squeeze an hour of shopping at the huge Pyramid
shopping centre (therefore completing my Christmas shopping
for the year). I have only one grouse, the rather extended
programme which started at 8 am and ended at 6 pm daily
| Announcements:
Asia Pacific Regional
Neuroscience Conference
Venue: Rasa Sayang
Resort, Penang, Malaysia
Dates: 11–14 February 1999
Programme summary:
11th Thursday: Arrival at night
12th Friday: SSRI Update
13th Saturday: Schizophrenia Update
14th Sunday: Morning departure
Interested participants, please contact the SPA
secretary for details by mid-Jan.
1st Remeron
Scientific Expert Meeting
Venue: Monte Carlo
Dates: 25-28 February 1999
A distinguished faculty board of
speakers will assemble for this meeting which includes
presentation of the most recent data from the clinical
research programmes for the antidepressant mirtazapine.
Interactive workshops have been arranged so that
the international participants can share and exchange
their experience using mirtazapine.
Full sponsorship is available for one psychiatrist.
Please contact the SPA secretary by mid-January
1999. |
Part-Time
Training Courses in Psychotherapy
Starting in July 1999,
the NUS Graduate School of Medical Studies will
launch a series of part-time courses in psychotherapy
for those working in the helping professions. Social
workers, psychologists, counsellors in various settings,
doctors and psychiatrists will benefit from the
theoretical and practical training provided by local
experienced mental health professionals as well
as invited international experts in psychotherapy.
Certificate in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
(1 year part-time course)
Fee: $4,500
Certificate in
Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapy
(1 year part-time course)
Fee: $4,500
Graduate Diploma
in Psychotherapy
(2 year part-time course)
Fee: $8,800 |
