• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2019

Antidepressants are widely used to treat depression in Korea, however, only a few studies have focused on the provider of the treatment. The aim of the study is to compare the differences between patients who were prescribed antidepressants by psychiatrists and those who were prescribed antidepressants by non-psychiatrists in South Korea. Patients with a diagnosis of depressive disorder who had been newly prescribed antidepressants in 2012 were selected from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. They were classified into two groups depending on whether they received the antidepressant prescription from a psychiatrist or non-psychiatrist. Sociodemographic, clinical, and depression related cost has been investigated. Treatment resistant depression, which is defined as a failure of two antidepressant regimens to alleviate symptoms, was also investigated. Prescription adequacy was assessed based on whether a regimen was maintained for at least 4 weeks. Among the 834694 patients with pharmaceutically treated depression (PTD) examined in this study, 326122 (39.1%) were treated by psychiatrists. Patients who were treated by psychiatrists were younger and had more psychiatric comorbidities than those treated by non-psychiatrists. They had longer PTD duration (229.3 days vs. 103.0 days, p < 0.05) and a larger proportion of treatment resistant depression (9.3% of PTD) when compared to those patients treated by non-psychiatrists. The patients treated by psychiatrists had a smaller proportion of inadequate antidepressant use compared to those patients in the non-psychiatrist group (44.5% vs. 65.1%, p < 0.05). The costs related to depression corrected with PTD duration were higher in the non-psychiatrist group (32214 won vs. 56001 won, p < 0.05). Patients who receive antidepressants from psychiatrists are patients with more severe, treatment-resistant depression. Psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants more adequately and cost- effectively than non-psychiatrists.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of a single-session, positive psychology-based, strength-enhancing workshop for psychiatrists. The program is composed of lecture about positive psychology and workshop activities for identifying and utilizing character strengths. Methods : A total of 42 psychiatrists participated in this study. The program consisted of a lecture about positive psychology and workshop activities for identifying and utilizing character strengths. Results of a positive resources test, given before and after the session, were used to assess changes in the personal positive resources of the participants as a result of the program. Results : We noted significant increases in participants' satisfaction with life, positive affect, gratitude, acceptance, positive and cognitive emotion regulation, orientation of life, growth, spirit, autonomy, social support, and care factors after completion of the program. On additional analysis, spirit and care scores of female participants's were significantly increased than male participants's. Conclusion : The findings are meaningful in verifying the efficacy of a short-term intervention to improve psychiatrists's positive resources.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.54-62
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare prescription patterns and clinical features according to clinical departments in sedative-hypnotic intoxication. Methods: This was a retrospective study of histories, substances of poisoning, acquisition routes, clinical courses, and outcomes of patients treated for acute intoxication in a single emergency medical center from January, 2011 to December, 2013. Results: A total of 769 patients were treated for acute intoxication, 281 patients ingested sedative hypnotics during the study period. Among 281 patients, 155 patients were prescribed by psychiatric department and 80 patients were prescribed by non-psychiatric department. Benzodiazepines were more likely to be prescribed by psychiatrists, and zolpidem was preferred by non-psychiatrists (p<0.001). Non-psychiatrists were more likely to prescribe short acting benzodiazepines than psychiatrists (p<0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the clinical outcomes, including prevalence of admission to ICU, ventilator care, and length of stay in ICU. In patients prescribed by non-psychiatrists, there were more patients prescribed without psychiatric diagnosis and diagnosed as major depression disorder after hospitalization. Conclusion: To promote rational prescribing of sedative hypnotics, proper psychiatric evaluation should be performed before prescribing, and educational programs including the contents of interactions and side effects of sedative hypnotics are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.121-126
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• 2019

Objectives: Awareness of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults has significantly increased; however, clinical data specific to the Korean population are insufficient. Clinical experience of ADHD may differ based on whether psychiatrists have received pediatric psychiatry-specific training. In order to prepare a practice parameter for adult ADHD patients in Korea, we examined questionnaire data to observe how pediatric psychiatry training could affect clinical practice for adults with ADHD. Methods: A questionnaire about the diagnosis and treatment process was distributed to both general psychiatrists (GPsy) and child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAP) at the summer and winter workshop meetings of Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Results: In total, 142 psychiatrists participated in the survey (86 GPsy, 56 CAP). GPsy and CAP preferred pharmacotherapy (GPsy 82.40%, CAP 64.30%) as the primary treatment option and answered that the clinical psychiatric interview is the most necessary step in diagnostic assessment (GPsy 22.16%, CAP 19.00%). The GPsy responded with an optimal and average treatment duration that was shorter than that reported by CAP. Conclusion: Identification of the initial presenting symptom as the correct diagnosis and the optimal duration of pharmacotherapy differed between GPsy and CAP in practice, whereas concepts in diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in adults were similar for both groups. These results suggest the urgent need for the Continuing Medical Education program for psychiatrists treating adults with ADHD.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.166-175
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• 2002

Recently many researches support the use of traditional psychiatric treatments in the management of chronic pain. Chronic pain is a significant public health problem and frustrating to everyone affected by it. Psychiatrists offer skills with treatments now recognized as effective in the management of chronic pain. In addition to the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric co-morbidity, the application of psychological treatments to chronic pain, and the development of interdisciplinary efforts to provide comprehensive health care to the patient disabled with chronic pain, psychiatrists have particular skill in pharmacological treatment that have proven efficacy for a variety of chronic pain conditions. With their expertise in the use of psychoactive medication plus their interest in the personal and family dynamics of patients, psychiatrists have the capacity to be involved in the treatment of patients with chronic pain. So, the author reported three cases of patient with pain disorder associated with psychological factors, and reviewed to propose that psychiatrists in Korea should take an active role in the care of these patients.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.2-3
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• 2017

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.98-100
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• 1993

To become an effective and successful consultation-liasion psychiatrist the psychiatrist should consider two aspects of consultation before he/she meets his/her patients. First the psychiatrist should understand the internal need and psychological state of patients who visited their physician before being refered to a psychiatrist So psychiatrists should be careful in the evaluation of the patient's intention whether they are willing to accept the psychiatric treatment approach or not Second the psychiatrist should understand the situation and the physician's internal need in the consultation. Psychiatrists should recognize whether there are any factors which interfere with the mutual understanding and cooperation between physicians and psychiatrist.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2013

The movement disorders in psychiatry have been neglected, though it is an important psychiatric dimension to exert unfavorable influence on patients'quality of life. The etiologies of movement disorders in psychiatry can be classified as primary neurological disorders, psychiatric comorbidities of neurological disorders, manifestations of primary psychiatric disorders, drug-induced movement disorders and psychogenic movement disorders. For the rapid and proper treatment for movement symptoms and signs easily observed from psychiatric patients, psychiatrists' ability toward precise disgnosis and differential diagnosis of movement disorders should be preceded.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study is to assess the career paths and practice patterns of child and adolescent psychiatrists in South Korea. Methods : A survey on demographic data, work environment, opinion on fellowship training program, and current practice patterns was conducted in 76/223 (34.0%) of all child and adolescent psychiatrists (N=223) were from 1980 to 2008. The survey data from the responders were analyzed. Results : More than half of those surveyed were women. The mean age of survey participants was 40.8 years; most were married, and lived in the Seoul National Capital Area. In general, the responders were very satisfied with their work. They worked in private practice, public sector, group practice, and as consultants. Up to 87% of the patients treated were children and adolescents. The most common treatment modalities were medication and parent psychoeducation. Social skills training and play therapy were applied mainly for children aged 4 to 12 years old. Cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling were preferred in adolescents. Conclusion : The current study used a database approach in order to define current practice patterns. These data may be helpful in consideration of future training programs, workforce issues in child and adolescent psychiatry in South Korea, and also in collaboration with other mental health providers.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.47-66
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• 2002

Sexual abuse is emerging as one of the major form of child abuse. In the late 1990s, official reports of sexual abuse began to mushroom at a much more rapid rate than reports of other forms of abuse in Korea. In addition, sexual abuse can cause the most serious emotional-cognitive-behavioral sequelae to victims. Although child & adolescent psychiatrists meet many sexual abuse victims who are referred from many types of child protective services, the psychiatrists may not be likely to give them sufficient and appropriate treatment and guideline for victims and their parents. In this article, the historical concepts, pathophysiological processes, shortterm & longterm sequelae of sexual abuse are reviewed and summarized. And I summarize the intervention and outcome studies for sexual abuse victims. In the close future, the active participation of psychiatrists who help the child and adolescents will be expected in the development of nationwide preventive and therapeutic projects for victims and families of sexual abuse.