China
Mental Health Collaborations
July 1, 2015
Dalian is the southernmost city in North Eastern China. With an estimated population of over 6 million people the seaport of Dalian is the second largest city in the Liaoning Province. Psychiatrist’s Dr. Wang Xiaoming and Dr. Zhang Liang from The Dalian 7th People’s Hospital joined the POST Program in June to begin a 12 week clinical mental health attachment.
As senior clinicians in their chosen field the psychiatrists began their attachment at St Vincent’s Mental Health Service (SVMHS) meeting staff and learning about the acute inpatient unit, community mental health clinics, the continuing care unit and the prevention and recovery care service. Xiaoming is particularly interested in community rehabilitation and will return to the SVMHS Clarendon Community Clinic to join the mobile support and homeless outreach teams.
Liang is an aged mental health care specialist and following her visits to SVMHS she will transition to St George’s Hospital to observe the Aged Psychiatry Assessment and Treatment Team. Liang is particularly interested in observing dementia assessments as most of the consumers she treats in Dalian are living with the disease.
To complement their observations at SVMHS the two Fellows will continue their attachment at North Western Mental Health Service based at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
This is the first visit to Australia for both women and unfortunately they have arrived to a cold and wintery Melbourne! Interested in volunteering and nature, both Liang and Xiaoming look forward to exploring Victoria’s many attractions during their off-time.
L-R: Dr. Zhang Liang and Dr. Wang Xiaoming