Den nordiska planeringsgruppen för psykiat risk hälso-och sjukvårdsforskning

Abstract

Lehtinen V. The Nordic planning group on psychiatric health services research.

The motivation for and activities of a special Nordic planning group for psychiatric health services research are described in the article. The reorganization and development of the mental health service is a key issue in all Nordic countries. There exists a great need for research as a basis for this development. A close Nordic cooperation in this field is clearly motivated by the fact that the structure of the mental health service and its development show both common and different traits in a very interesting manner in the various countries. The planning group started in 1986, and so far it has had six meetings. The group started by collecting information on the existing psychiatric health services research in the Nordic countries. A comparative document on the organization of the mental health service in these countries is in preparation. The group has also been active in research training by organizing a joint Nordic 8-day course on psychiatric health services research. A second course was held in June 1989. Furthermore, the group organized a symposium on its theme during the Nordic Congress of Psychiatry in Reykjavik in August 1988. A special symposium on the role of relatives in health service is planned, together with another Nordic planning group for general health services research. Further support for the psychiatric health services research in the Nordic countries is needed also in the future.

Key Words:

• Psychiatric health services research