Welcome to the EPA 2021 Interactive Programme

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Displaying One Session

Date
Tue, 13.04.2021
Session Time
08:00 - 09:30
Room
Channel 1
Session Description
This will be an activity of EPA Council of National Psychiatric Associations (NPAs). Speakers from four different European countries will cover four different areas to evaluate the influence and consequences of COVID-19 pandemic in different European countries: patients and mental health services; organizational issues and associations' role under extraordinary conditions; ethical issues in different aspects; and impact on research, training and other academic activities. All four speakers will use data and experiences from their countries and their Associations, and try to elaborate issues with local, European and global perspectives. This symposium will target to delineate experiences and make projections for the future about psychiatry, national institutions including National Psychiatric Associations and European Psychiatric Association.
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LIVE - NPA Symposium: COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychiatry in Europe: Challenges, Experiences and Future Perspectives from Different European Countries (ID 346) No Topic Needed

NPA0001 - What Happened to Our Patients and Mental Health Services, and How Should We be More Ready for the Future?

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Live
Date
Tue, 13.04.2021
Session Time
08:00 - 09:30
Room
Channel 1
Lecture Time
08:00 - 08:17
LIVE - NPA Symposium: COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychiatry in Europe: Challenges, Experiences and Future Perspectives from Different European Countries (ID 346) No Topic Needed

NPA0002 - The Role of Professionals' Associations Under Extraordinary Situations: Contingency, Capacity, and Collaboration

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Live
Date
Tue, 13.04.2021
Session Time
08:00 - 09:30
Room
Channel 1
Lecture Time
08:17 - 08:34
Presenter

ABSTRACT

Abstract Body

COVID-19 pandemic, with its profound effects on almost every sphere of individual and social life, is a significant challenge and threat to mental well-being. Although mass disasters with similar traumatic effects are not exceptional incidents globally, the rate of the spread of infection, the scale of the effects of the disease and precautions, and uncertainty concerning the nature, prevention from, and treatment of the disease render the psychosocial effects unique. As it is the case for the individual’s response to the stressful events, the psychiatric communities initially addressed this challenge by adapting their usual responses to mass trauma, through their capacity acquired from earlier experiences and training. Although the response to the pandemic is expected to be orchestrated by the public authorities, in many countries, either the administration was not sufficiently cognizant of the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic, or the health-care system was unable to function properly due to the excessive burden. Therefore, the associations of mental health professionals, with varying degrees of preparedness to cope with such a challenge, had to recruit their full resources. As many associations worldwide did, the Psychiatric Association of Turkey prepared written and audiovisual resources for psychiatrists, health professionals, and the general population related to the mental health effects of the pandemic and precautions, often including strategies to cope with stress-related difficulties. Many associations, also provided distant-access psychological support to health-care workers on the frontlines and the general population. These were achieved through a fast-organized collaboration among its members and between associations worldwide.

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LIVE - NPA Symposium: COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychiatry in Europe: Challenges, Experiences and Future Perspectives from Different European Countries (ID 346) No Topic Needed

NPA0003 - Ethical Issues Under the Pressure of COVID-19 Pandemic

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Live
Date
Tue, 13.04.2021
Session Time
08:00 - 09:30
Room
Channel 1
Lecture Time
08:34 - 08:51

ABSTRACT

Abstract Body

The pandemic has highlighted with particular evidence the vulnerability of people with mental disorders and a series of specific ethical concerns regarding their condition. First of all, the risk of receiving poor medical care due to the double stigma of being affected by a mental disorder and Covid infection, in addition to the many other additional barriers , including poverty, marginal housing, and food insecurity. Moreover, in some countries, in a situation where demands for intensive care exceeded the treatment facilities available, the tragical ethical dilemma regarding the choice of people to be saved was resolved with the option in favor of healthier and/or younger people who have more chances of recovery, thus excluding, among others, aged people with severe mental disorders such as dementias. In other countries, ethical concerns emerged related to the enhanced risk of involuntary hospital admission of individuals with severe mental illness mainly due the high likelihood of these patients violating physical-distancing and other safety rules. Social distancing measures have determined, among others, relevant obstacles for direct access to psychiatric care services, with the consequent adoption of the so called “telepsychiatry” of “tele mental health” by mental health services, a measure which unfortunately has cut off a large amount of patients who have not been able to benefit from these innovative methods of care both because of barriers posed by their own serious mental conditions, and by the impossibility of having the necessary technology.

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LIVE - NPA Symposium: COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychiatry in Europe: Challenges, Experiences and Future Perspectives from Different European Countries (ID 346) No Topic Needed

NPA0004 - Experiences and Projections for the Future of Research, Training and Other Academic Activities: Will It Be the Same?

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Live
Date
Tue, 13.04.2021
Session Time
08:00 - 09:30
Room
Channel 1
Lecture Time
08:51 - 09:08

ABSTRACT

Abstract Body

The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with subsequently imposed restrictions and lockdowns also radically disrupted academic life. Many research projects involving recruitment of human subjects were abruptly put on hold, educational activities have moved into online trainings, scientific meetings have been transformed into virtual events. Social distancing does not restrict only everyday human contact but also limits direct exchange of clinical, educational, and research experiences, professional and academic networking, sharing ideas. Besides all the drawbacks, does the current situation also bring any advantages? Every challenge results in new opportunities. Although the online congresses will most likely never fully replace real-life experience, it was found that many work meetings can be held more efficiently via online communication. Saving time, cutting costs of travel and accommodation, plus other expenses, may help to allocate limited resources where needed. Similarly, while practical medical education and training cannot be substituted for remote broadcasting, many theoretical presentations can. More importantly, epidemic of COVID-19 is a unique opportunity for mental health research, to study individual and population consequences of the virus, its impact on psychiatric patients. It is still early to predict whether and when research, training, meetings, and other academic activities return back to “normal”, but appears that some changes are here to stay.

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LIVE - NPA Symposium: COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychiatry in Europe: Challenges, Experiences and Future Perspectives from Different European Countries (ID 346) No Topic Needed