MEET Psychiatry Visit December 2019
Dr. Richard Veith, MD represented the Psychiatry team In Can Tho in December 2019. He was a very important contributor from the US to the Can Tho University Medical and Pharmacy (CTUMP) 40th Anniversary and International Scientific Conference (ISC). Dr. Veith was accompanied by Dr. Ian Bennett, MD, PhD, who collaborated on mental health presentations as well as making his own contributions to Family Medicine sessions. Dr. Bennett received a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to work with CTUMP Department of Public Health to develop an implementation model for the management of perinatal depression and reduce the risk of perinatal suicide in several communes in the Can Tho region.
Drs. Veith and Bennett participated in a Family Medicine continuing education conference held prior to the convening of the ISC. Dr. Bennet gave a presentation that they had prepared together on “The Global Burden of Mental Health Illness: How to Integrate Mental Health Care in Primary Settings”. Dr.Bennett also presented, Improving the Care of Common Perinatal Mental Disorders”, and Dr. Veith’s planned presentation, “Diagnosis and Management of Depression and Anxiety”.
Dr. Veith co-chaired and presented in Family Medicine sessions, and Co-chaired one of the Public Health sessions. These sessions and presentations were focused on Mental Health as a global burden in under-resourced settings, and depressions impact on heart disease. The sessions were both part of the 40th Anniversary ISC, and were well attended. The question/answer forum was an important opportunity for those who participated to take an active role in better understanding the research and issues.
Dr. Veith additionally taught courses, as in years past, at the Psychiatry Hospital in Can Tho with Dr. Thong, MD and his colleagues. He interviewed patients who had been diagnosed with multiple mental health issues, teaching and discussing treatment options with them. Dr. Veith is very well respected at the Psychiatry Hospital in Can Tho. Every year he has traveled with the MEET team, there are many who attend to learn from his years of experience as an educator and clinician.
Dr. Veith represented the Psychiatry team at Children’s Hospital to renew an MOU with Director Dr. Tran Van De. Children’s Hospital has a new Outpatient Clinic and clinical laboratories. Future assistance from the MEET/UW collaboration with Can Tho’s Children’s Hospital was explored with Dr. Nga, the director for educational activities.
It was a very rewarding experience for the Psychiatry team to be in Can Tho in December 2019, especially to attend and participate in the 40th Anniversary Conference and Celebration. Psychiatry was a necessary contribution to our multi-disciplinary effort to provide collaborative medical education.
