Among the most interesting initiatives in Spanish geriatric psychiatry in
recent years has been the publication of two consensus documents on
dementia, both appearing in 2000. The first publication was a multispecialty
effort completed under the authority of the Spanish Psychiatric
Society (SEP). Fifty-two experts participated in the development of a
consensus document, coordinated by Dr. M. Martín-Carrasco. The publication
contains six chapters 1) a definition of dementia 2) the process of
diagnosis 3) specific forms of dementia 4) clinic management of
dementia patients 5) therapy and 6) family stress. This publication has
been widely distributed among the Spanish psychiatric community.
Along with its practical utility, this work has served as a benchmark in
the Spanish scientific community concerning the importance of psychiatry
in the treatment of dementia.
The second consensus document was also a multi-disciplinary effort
and, from a methodological point of view, best classified as a task force
project. Twelve experts from the Spanish Psychiatric Society, the Spanish
Neurology Society, the Spanish Geriatric Society and the Spanish Family
Medicine Society, participated in its development. A wide variety of topics
are covered by 14 chapters, with special attention to the coordination of
the various geriatric specialties and the importance of family medicine
in making a preliminary diagnosis and insuring continuity of care.
Geriatric Psychiatry Handbook
Another important event has been the publication of the first comprehensive
Handbook of Geriatric Psychiatry in Spanish, by Masson. In
its 789 pages, 38 authors, directed by L Aguera, M. Martín Carrasco,
and J. Cervilla, conducted a comprehensive revision of current clinical
publications related to the field of geriatric psychiatry. This work focuses
much on dementia and related disorders, mood disorders and therapies
in psychogeriatrcs. This text now serves as a reference manual and is
used in psychiatry as well as other related disciplines. Along with its
utility in the clinic, this publication also represents an important landmark
in the growth and maturing of psychogeriatrics in Spain.
References
1. SEP. Consenso Español de Demencias. Madrid: Drug Pharma; 2000.
2. Grupo Español Multidisciplinar para la Atención Coordinada al paciente con
Demencia. Atención coordinada al paciente con demencia. Madrid: Ediciones Doyma,
SL; 2000.
3. Agüera Ortiz L, Martin Carrasco M, Cervilla Ballesteros J, editores. Psiquiatría
Geriátrica. Barcelona: Masson; 2002.
Dr. Manuel Martín-Carrasco (manuelmartin@intersep.org) is Clinical
Director of the Clínica Psiquiátrica Padre Menni and Associate Professor,
Universidad de Navarra, School of Medicine, Spain.
AN EXAMPLE OF THE EDUCATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THE PSYCHOGERIATRIC SERVICES: MASTERS IN PSYCHOGERIATRICS FROM THE UNIVERSIDAD AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA AND THE SAGRAT COR HOSPITAL
The Sagrat Cor Hospital of Martorell, a community near Barcelona, pertaining to the
Hermanas Hospitalarias del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, has maintained since the late
70s a program of assistance specifically directed to mental illnesses of the elderly. From
this base they have developed diverse resources related to specific diagnosis problems,
walk-in clinics, crisis control and family relief admissions, and home visits. Because of
this wide spectrum of clinical activities a large number of professional of various disciplines
related to geriatric psychiatry have concentrated their interests in the center.
Since 1996 geriatric psychiatry workshops have taken place annually at the center, in
which specialists in the care of elderly patients with dementia and other mental problems
from various European countries and all parts of Spain have participated.
And since 1998 this institution, in association with the Department of Psychiatry of the
Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona has started a Masters in Psychogeriatrics. Under
direction of the Professor JM Costa-Molinari, president of the Sociedad Española de
Gerontopsiquiatría y Psicogeriatría, it consists of two year academic program directed
towards medical doctors, psychologists, nurses, social workers and occupational therapists.
The program unites a strong theoretical base taught by prestigious teachers from
all over Spain as well as other European countries, especially England and Switzerland,
along with an essential practical experience provided by the institution. Students are
also involved in research projects within the hospital, which permits the bringing
together in a single program both development and management abilities in clinical
psychogeriatrics along with a human oriented focus of a multidimensional character.
References
Monográfico V Jornadas de Actualización en Psicogeriatría de Martorell. Informaciones
Psiquiátricas 2000; 162:253-378.
Costa-Molinari JM (coordinator). Borrador de un Plan de Formación en Psicogeriatría.
Final Report of the Task Force on Education of the Sociedad Española de
Gerontopsiquiatría y Psicogeriatría (SEGP), 2000 Oct. Not Published.
Mateos R. Formación específica en Psicogeriatría: necesidades y situación actual.
Informaciones Psiquiátricas 200; 162:335-40.
Dr. Manuel Sánchez-Pérez (manuelanchez@mx2.redestb.es) is
Coordinator of the Psychogeriatric Unit, Sagrat Cor, Serveis de Salut Mental,
Martorell and Coordinator of the Master in Psychogeriatrics (UAB),
Barcelona, Spain.
Reprinted from IPA Bulletin Volume 19 Number 3
Copyright 2012 International Psychogeriatric Association
