Report on an educational seminar for mental health professionals in Cambodia organized by the Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists

Abstract

One of the main aims of the Pacific Rim College of Psychiatrists (PRCP) is to assist countries that lack psychiatric facilities and resources by providing direct education and practical involvement with clinicians and policy makers. With its tragic history of genocide in which most of its mental health professionals were killed by the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia is one such country. Currently, Cambodia has only 24 psychiatrists and 45 psychiatric nurses across the entire country. Due to this great shortage of manpower and psychiatric facilities, people with mental illness are grossly underserved. In 2009 the PRCP, Ministry of Health Cambodia (MoH), and Non-Government Organizations (NGO) in Cambodia and Japan, agreed to hold an educational seminar for mental health professionals in Cambodia. The goals of this seminar were threefold: (1) strengthen existing psychiatric knowledge among Cambodian mental health professionals; (2) improve clinical skills among Cambodian mental health professionals; and (3) understand what entails best practice in psychiatric care among Cambodian mental health professionals. The seminar was held on 23–24 November 2009 at Prince d’Angkor Hotel and Spa in Siem Reap. This brief report will highlight the aims of the seminar, feedback received by participants, and ideas for future seminars held by the PRCP in Cambodia