The blueprint for advancing psychiatric education and scientific publications
Authors: Norbert Skokauskas, Gary Chaimowitz, Dina Elgabry, Andrea Fiorillo, Anusha Lachman, Angeles Lopez Geist, Paul Robertson, Hee Jeong Yoo, Bennett Leventhal
Journal: World Psychiatry (2024)

Income inequality, wars, increasing numbers of refugees, pandemics and climate change are but a few of the many, compelling challenges that we are facing today. All people and all countries are affected, with the most vulnerable, especially our patients, suffering disproportionately. The recent crises have also raised awareness about the importance of mental health, but the growing need for care has simultaneously increased demands on the already limited and overwhelmed mental health service systems. It is in this environment that we see a demand for the WPA to energetically support solutions to these challenges, also by advancing its educational and publication agenda, while taking other actions necessary to ensure the sustainability of its efforts and the universal availability of its products in support of service providers around the world. For the first time, the WPA has consolidated the coordination of its educational and publication activities under a single Secretary. This initiative involves establishing a single Standing Committee on Education and Scientific Publications. This Committee will oversee the development of the WPA educational programs and the preparation of materials for these programs. It will also be responsible for the implementation of WPA continuing medical education accreditation. In addition, it will oversee the development of the WPA publication policies, while also facilitating the preparation and distribution of materials for publication. The WPA Committee on Education and Scientific Publications is committed to and enthusiastic about engaging WPA Member Societies, with the hope that they will join in this transformative journey. Within this context, the Committee invites all the WPA components to actively contribute to and support the following objectives: a) the Association will expand its educational and publication activities to support its Member Societies as they strive to meet the ever-increasing demand for mental health services; b) the Association will be innovative, dynamic and inclusive, while it places emphasis on sustainable education and scientific publications; c) the Association will enhance its global presence in the area of education and publications by leading inter-agency collaborations in support of psychiatrists and psychiatry, by attracting the brightest young people to psychiatry, and by providing the relevant services necessary to encourage and sustain WPA membership. Scientific publications play a crucial role in advancing knowledge and skills, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and enhancing mental health on a global scale. Over the years, the WPA has endeavored to achieve these goals through its publications, including but not limited to journals, conference proceedings, and books. World Psychiatry is the flagship journal of the WPA. As WPA President (1999-2002), Prof. J.J. López-Ibor stated: "World Psychiatry mirrors the best of our psychiatrists and the WPA: encompassing hopes, opportunities, commitment to science and ethics, dedication to patients and society, and the courage to foster growth"1. Our Committee looks forward to supporting Prof. Mario Maj, the Editor of World Psychiatry, to ensure the continuing success of the Journal. It is now timely to examine the roles of journals affiliated with the WPA. Ironically, official information is not readily available in this respect. However, unofficial sources identify some 14 scientific journals with a stated connection to the WPA or one of its Scientific Sections. However, even the most cursory examination suggests that some of these journals currently have limited connections to the WPA. In order to more thoroughly clarify this situation, the Committee will collaborate with A. Soghoyan, WPA Secretary for Scientific Sections, and the relevant Standing Committee, to assess each of these journals with respect to their relationship to the WPA and its mission. Upon completion of this exercise, the WPA Committee on Education and Scientific Publications will offer assistance to those journals that require and want support. We have received inquiries from WPA zonal and regional leaders regarding the possibility of establishing local psychiatric journals. The WPA Committee on Education and Scientific Publications will provide support and guidance to colleagues pursuing these efforts, as is appropriate and necessary. The WPA also collaborates with various journals which have no formal links with the Association, including facilitating special issues. The WPA Committee on Education and Scientific Publications will facilitate collaboration with other journals, including special issues, ensuring high quality of papers. We will engage with journals in mental health and psychiatry, as well as with leading medical journals, in an attempt to facilitate featuring psychiatrically relevant topics. This commitment extends beyond journals, supporting WPA Scientific Sections as they endeavor to publish books and other materials, including those for online delivery as texts or in other formats2, 3. Finally, the Committee on Education and Scientific Publications will launch an e-journal/newsletter to disseminate information regarding its activities to all WPA components. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for the WPA to hasten development and promotion of an online Education Portal, aiming to promote dissemination of mental health knowledge and skills worldwide4, 5. As of January 2024, the Portal registers 2,772 users from 119 countries, utilizing 18 languages and accessing 94 resources. Later in 2024, the current educational platform will be closed, and materials will migrate to a new, more effective and efficient learning center. While recruiting to psychiatry has been an ongoing challenge, the increasing recognition of the importance of mental health, and the need to reduce stigma, has resulted in several creative and effective national recruitment strategies. The WPA, together with Member Societies, will analyze these experiences and identify methods to adapt and implement them across the world. While prioritizing training and support to its membership, the WPA will also focus on innovative educational programs aimed at preventing burnout and other forms of professional distress. Many individuals have significantly contributed to their national society and/or the WPA. Such expertise should not be lost prematurely through retirement or semi-retirement. The WPA shall identify opportunities for psychiatrists who, even after retirement, wish to remain involved in programs that match their expertise and are important to global training needs around the world. For example, by forging a strong partnership with the WPA Workgroup on Volunteering6, the Committee on Education and Scientific Publications will streamline and optimize the coordination of activities related to education and scientific publications. This collaboration will involve regular communication, joint planning sessions, and shared resources to ensure a cohesive and effective approach to achieving common goals. The emphasis on education is central to the WPA Action Plan 2023-20267-9. The Committee on Education and Scientific Publications is dedicated to supporting this effort and determined to provide the very best in educational and scientific materials to our WPA colleagues and all professionals working hard to improve the mental health of our communities around the world.