IPA Bulletin

Where are they now?
IPA Research Scholar Program: A Golden Experience for Young Researchers

Turan Ertan
IPA Research Scholar, 1997

 [Editor’s note: For the next few issues, we will publish “Where Are They Now?”, a series of articles by former IPA Research Award winners and IPA Research Scholars, who will share with us what they are doing and describe ways in which IPA recognition has influenced their careers. From 1989 to 1999 the IPA Research Awards were sponsored and supported by Bayer AG. The IPA Research Scholar Program was sponsored and supported by Pfizer Central Research, Pfizer Inc]

As an IPA/Pfizer Research Scholar, I had the opportunity to gain experience in research methodology in psychogeriatrics under the supervision of Anthony Mann at the Institute of Psychiatry (Section of Old Age Psychiatry) in London between May and September, 1997. This was my second visit to the Section, as I spent six months there in 1995-1996. Having some experience in the section, I decided to return when I was awarded this very prestigious scholarship.

After four months in London, I think I made considerable progress in my scientific knowledge, focusing on research methodology of epidemiology in old age psychiatry. The most useful experience was working on my data on the reliability and validity of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) in Turkish, which I collected earlier in Istanbul. This was very intense work, under the supervision of Martin Prince, and I had the chance to apply various statistical techniques to these data under his guidance. I think this application of statistical methodology to epidemiological data was the most important part of my scholarship. My direct communication with Martin helped me understand a lot of concepts about this type of study, an experience impossible for me to obtain without sharing time with an expert.

I also learned statistical methodology of studies on the preparation and validation of scales in old age psychiatry, an area untouched and, as far as I can see, the first step for further research in old age psychiatry in Turkey. This gave me the chance to pursue the area on my return to Istanbul. Validation studies of depression and dementia scales are the main areas of research for me nowadays and I hope our work in Istanbul will offer some standardized scales to Turkish researchers in future. I must emphasize that this would not be possible without the experience I had during my IPA/Pfizer Research Scholar experience.

Another opportunity for me in London was participation in a course on epidemiology and statistics. Due to fortunate coincidence with my visiting period to the Section, I took part in the "Intensive Course on Epidemiology and Medical Statistics," a full-time, three week course on research methodology and epidemiology, which is organized once a year at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I experienced of both theory and practical application of research techniques under the guidance of international experts. This opportunity gave me the chance to develop my knowledge and to receive a certificate from an institution of world renown.

Considering the limitations of resources and opportunities in developing countries, I should make clear that this kind of support to young researchers from countries where experts with international research experience are limited in number, will facilitate the integration of these countries into the international scientific environment. Repeating my gratitude to IPA, I hope this kind of opportunity may continue in the future.

  

Turan Ertan, MD is affiliated with Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Dept. of Geriatric Psychiatry, in Istanbul, Turkey (fax: 90 212 588 7776, e-mail: tertan@istanbul.edu.tr).

Turan Ertan ---------------------------

Reprinted from IPA Bulletin, Volume 17, Number 1