Improving the Psychosomatic Competence of Medical Doctors in China, Vietnam and Laos—The Asia-Link Program

Abstract

Objective: The European Union is supporting a 3-year cooperation project coordinated by the Freiburg University Clinic for the development and promotion of psychosomatic medicine in China, Vietnam, and Laos. The main objective is the development and performance of post-graduate training for medical doctors to improve doctor-patient communication and to acquire psychosomatic knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Method: The project is based on contacts which have existed for several years with the Tongji University and the affiliated Tongji Hospital in Shanghai. Medical doctors in all disciplines are to learn to promptly recognize emotional disorders which frequently present in the primary care setting, to offer limited treatment themselves, and to cooperate with mental health specialists. Results: In the first year of the project, 50 medical doctors from different medical fields were trained as future teachers. In the second year, we are starting a pilot curriculum which will include 60 hours of theory and psychosocial interventions, divided into three blocks. Conclusions: Future developments will involve setting up a psychosomatic network in Southeast Asia to establish advanced training in psychosomatic medicine and psychotherapy and to promote psychiatric and psychosomatic consultation and liaison services in the general hospitals.