SKMC organizes the 'Mental Health in Primary Care: Enhancing Treatment and Promoting Mental Health' symposium on 8 October 2009

The number of attendees exceeded 110 targeting physicians and nursing in general practice, family medicine, primary care and emergency medicine. SKMC is owned and operated by SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, which is responsible for the curative activities of all the public hospitals and clinics in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Many healthcare providers need training on identifying and treating behavioral health disorders, thus, this symposium will be much of benefit. The organized day contained valuable information concerning common psychiatric presentation in primary care and emergency services which include depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, chronic fatigue and somatoform disorders, psychiatric emergencies, as well as a session on psychotherapy outside psychiatric facilities. The presentations were delivered by highly qualified experts in mental health area and included psychiatrists and clinical psychologists working at the BSP. Moreover, the scientific day was accredited by HAAD for 2.5 Continuous Education hours.

Dr. Maha Al Ameri, BSP Director stated,

"We believe by training, other healthcare providers who are in a key position to identify and manage the above mentioned psychiatric problems effectively will help in decreasing the burden of psychiatric problems"

Dr. Abdulnaser Arida of BSP commented, "Early and accurate detection of mental health problems followed by an appropriate treatment and management plan would help to reduce the global burden on health and social care systems caused by mental disorders. Our emphasis is to establish ways to help identify people with mental health problems at the earliest opportunity and provide appropriate interventions and this can be established by integrating mental health services into primary care. Treating behavioral health problems in the primary care presents an important opportunity to intervene early and prevent more disabling disorders, and also to reach people who cannot or will not access specialty behavioral health care".

The trend comes in line with the recent conversion of SKMC's Primary Healthcare Centers to Family Medicine Clinics where basic mental healthcare services are also provided. Dr. Ali Khalili, Chairman of Family Medicine at SKMC explained, "Our scope of practice in Family Medicine is quite elaborate and our physicians are well trained in all aspects of healthcare for all ages and all medical conditions including psychiatric/psychological counseling, screening programs, immunization programs, child care, teen's health, range of acute to chronic care, geriatric care, mental health care, women's health program, community outreach and education, minor procedures and surgeries, post operative follow-up care, family counseling and home care program".