During October, Polish mental health experts led by the Polish-American “Alliance for Innovation” (AFI) joined counterparts from Virginia in meetings held in Norfolk, VA that were organized and directed by the Medical Society of Virginia (MSV). Specific agreements were reached for plans to cooperate on improving treatment and access for PTSD and provider burnout. Practical instructions are being drafted for immediate actions with a progress meeting to be held in Poland in the Spring. The goal is to contribute to improved mental health treatment in Poland and the United States.
This joint mental health program will follow a two-phased model: First, the focus will be on practical, near-term activities that will provide valued deliverables contributing to treatment of trauma-related disorders including PTSD, complex PTSD, provider burnout and patient stress – activities will include commercial courses, certification, and research. Second, cooperation on treatment will be extended into actual patient care through the establishment of a clinic in Poland – a “Center of Excellence for Mental Health”. This clinic will provide treatment as well as innovative research in mental health and mental health wellbeing programs.
The AFI delegation was led by Dr. Marcin Hańczaruk (Chairman of AFI) and included Prof. Halina Sienkiewicz-Jarosz, Prof. Barbara Remberk, Dr. Paulina Rok-Bujko, and Mr. Piotr Dubno with AFI Board President George Handy also present. Discussion highlighted treatment options, screening, impacts on children and first responders, disease stigma, suicide, education and prevention.
During this same timeframe, AFI held meetings on the development of cancer treatment guidelines in Poland that included the Chief Medical Officer of the US National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). NCCN and AFI are partners in this new initiative that has already introduced 6 cancer treatment guidelines in Poland. MSV monitors this major program, and interested Virginians will be welcome.
Read more about the Advancing Poland-US Success in Healthcare conference: https://lnkd.in/dAX-fEmv
For more information about Alliance for Innovation Foundation, please our website: https://lnkd.in/d2ryKuTc