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Description

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MISSION STATEMENT

Revised November 27 1997

The Department shall


1 Develop and maintain educational programs of the highest quality in psychiatric medicine including but not limited to undergraduate programs postgraduate training fellowship training continuing health education and community education 2 Develop and maintain excellence in research programs of national and international calibre involving multiple aspects of psychiatric medicine and mental health care 3 Identify and endorse the highest standards of clinical care for delivery by its members 4 Participate actively in the planning development delivery and evaluation of psychiatric medical and mental health services locally provincially regionally nationally and internationally 5 Develop promote and maintain a supportive work environment that recognizes no barriers to demonstrated competency of individuals and which enhances their professional growth and acknowledges their contributions 6 Work actively to enhance the role of psychiatry as a medical speciality in cooperative clinical teaching and research activities with other medical disciplines and health professionals 7 Be consistent with the Missions of Dalhousie University and the Faculty of Medicine

8 Abide by the rules and regulations governing Departments within the Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University

To realize its mission the University Department of Psychiatry shall work cooperatively with health care facilities providers social institutions patients their families and consumers the university and its community funding agencies governments third party payers and other individuals institutions or industries whose interests are congruent with the vision and mission of the University Department of Psychiatry

VISION STATEMENTS

Revised November 27 1997


The Dalhousie University Department of Psychiatry recognizes that individuals suffering from mental illnesses experience significantly increased morbidity and mortality These disorders have serious and significant negative impact on their ability to function and to enjoy a reasonable quality of life These disorders occur commonly and negatively affect the health and wellbeing of the community We recognize that individuals with mental disorders are entitled to the same standard of consideration and care as any individual suffering from any other illness and that we share a responsibility to ensure that this occurs We recognize that individuals with mental illnesses experience stigmatization and other barriers which compromise their ability to access and receive appropriate care and that we share responsibility to eradicate this stigma and break down these barriers As a result we are committed to optimizing the treatment of the mentally ill and enhancing the mental health of the population We recognize that the treatment of the mentally ill and the enhancement of the mental health of the population requires the availability of skilled professionals and the application of scientific methods to the study of mental illness and mental health As a result we are committed to providing excellent training in psychiatric medicine which is consistent with ethical standards of the profession and which recognizes the importance of evidencebased medical practice Furthermore we are committed to the scientific study of the causes of mental illnesses and their optimal treatments and to the scientific study of the factors which contribute to the development and maintenance of mental health in populations The above commitments can be best realized in partnership with the following the wider medical and scientific community health care facilities and other providers of services for individuals with mental disorders individuals and families of individuals with mental disorders the wider community of interested individuals institutions and other agencies involved in activities which have an impact on the development and maintenance of mental health governments industry and payers

Therefore it is our mission to develop and maintain a University Department of Psychiatry which is consistent with this vision and to do so in a manner which is recognized locally nationally and internationally

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History

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The book quotDalhousies department of psychiatrya historical perspectivequot was suggested to me by Dr S Kutcher when he arrived to take over the head ship of the department in 1995 The book was to be completed by the spring 1999 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Departments founding by Dr R O Jones in 1949The major source of information was contained in fortytwo cardboard boxes bequeathed to the Dalhousie Archives by Dr Jones before his death but correspondence between the department heads and the Dean of Medicine and Presidents of the University were also perused Those founding academic staff who were still alive in 1996 Dr Jones died in 1984 were interviewed for the recollections of events during the early years and subsequently

The book is divided into three sections The first section is devoted to a narrative description of psychiatric teaching at Dalhousie Medical School from the turn of the century to the present with particular emphasis on the formation of the autonomous department in 1949The second section describes various facets of the Department for example establishing Child Psychiatry Resident Training Programs Women in the Dalhousie Department as well as the recording of interviews with retired academic staff

The third section includes the memoirs of former psychiatric residents and staff medical and nonmedical who wished to record their personal views of the Department