DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY

The psychiatry service was established at the former Doha Hospital soon after Qatar gained its independence in 1971. In 1983, the Department of Psychiatry moved to the Rumailah Hospital as a specialty service of Hamad Medical Corporation.

At that time, most of the treatment services were centered around general psychiatry and liaison psychiatry, both of which have gained acceptance by other medical disciplines and specialties. Since then, a modern psychiatric unit gradually evolved which offered both inpatient treatment and outpatient clinical services. It was then staffed by two consultants and five junior physicians.

Development

A multi-disciplinary approach is applied to modern psychiatry. In this regard, two social workers joined the staff in 1992 to reinforce the Home Visitation program. A psychology section was established in 1994.

At that time, the Department had 18 beds for male patients and 12 for female patients in Rumailah Hospital. It soon became apparent that more space and better facilities were required for the steadily growing program. A purpose-built facility was thus constructed behind the former Women’s Hospital (now the Medical Commission) which provided 56 inpatient beds (44 male and 16 female), an outpatient clinic for consultations and an Occupational Therapy Unit for the rehabilitation of patients.

A community nursing service started in 1993 for the assessment and management of patients in the privacy of their homes. Complementary to this was a Day Hospital Program where patients come in the morning and return to their homes in the afternoon. This was found to be beneficial and extremely therapeutic because it developed a more cohesive and joint approach with the family while avoiding hospital admission.

This service has led to a steady decline in admissions and a complementary rise in outpatient visits. More patients were discharged to be cared for on an outpatient basis with the vital assistance of their families.

New methods of diagnosis and treatment were introduced for patients who are dependent on drugs and alcohol. Likewise, new psycho pharmaceutical and therapeutic agents were introduced as part of the treatment modalities along with cognitive and behavior therapy.

Equipment

The Department has acquired the most recent machines for electro convulsive therapy and a bio-feedback machine to strengthen its diagnostic capability. These have enabled the department to screen for the use of illegal drugs. Moreover, the psychology section will soon receive modern equipment for psychometry and treatment.

 Staffing and education

The Department has three consultants, one specialist and six residents, all with excellent experience and background in psychiatry. National staff are inspired to specialize in psychiatry and the department has at present a specialist, two psychologists, a developee and a number of nurses who are Qatari.

A structured postgraduate training program accredited to the Arab Board of Medical Specializations started in 1993. Seven doctors are currently enrolled with one due to receive his certificate after successfully passing the specialization exam. Five others will sit for their final exam next year. The Department also provides practical training for Qatar University students in psychological counseling and for primary health care and dermatology interns.

Future services

The department currently provides the following services in addition to general psychiatry: Forensic Psychiatry; Biological Psychiatry; Child and Family Psychiatry; Psychiatry of Mental Retardation; Emergency Psychiatry and Crisis intervention. A 24-hour telephone service has been set up where a psychiatrist can provide on-line help for people in a depressed state.

Ministerial approval has been obtained for a Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center and initial plans for this program have been completed. The Department is also engaging a child psychiatrist and a psycho geriatrician to enhance their services.

Expansion of community psychiatry and day hospital care are primary goals. While psychiatry patients in the country do not have to wait to see a doctor, expanded diagnostic facilities will help identify which patients would benefit from hospital admission.

Patient Statistics

Table: Growth in services 1983 compared to 1995

Information compiled from HMC 15-yr report