On the front lines of the mental health system, treating the patient takes top priority.
However, those who deliver these services say it’s equally important that practitioners are also involved in the research component of their fields.
“When you look at modern medicine overall, it’s been research that’s been driving it,” said Dr. Martin Alda, a clinical psychiatrist and professor at Dalhousie University.
“Without it, Nova Scotia hospitals would still be needing hundreds of beds.”
Alda’s specialty is bipolar disorder, which causes dramatic mood swings from depression to manic behaviour.
About three to five per cent of the population has the disorder, from a mild form that often goes undiagnosed to serious cases that require continuing drug treatment such as lithium.
Alda treats patients at the mood disorder clinic in Halifax. He is also an internationally recognized researcher, focusing on the genetic roots of bipolar disorder and the long-term effects of drug treatment.
It’s also important for practitioners to be given time to make sure they’re getting the best results, said Halifax psychologist Cheryl Aubie.
“We don’t always have the time or resources to conduct research to evaluate to see if something is working, and if it is, how can we get it to work more effectively,” she said.
Aubie leads a group-based program at the eating disorder clinic in Halifax.
“Most of my day is spent leading a variety of different therapy groups. We also facilitate meals here twice a day . . . to help our clients develop a different relationship with food and to challenge them on the issues that they have with food.”
However, Aubie is able to put time every week into research on eating disorders.
Children’s psychologist Debbie Emberly at the IWK Health Centre’s intensive community-based treatment program is also able to work regular research time into her busy schedule.
“A lot of us have protected research time to step back and see if what we’re doing is working and is it actually making a difference for our families.
“It’s a really important part of our job to make things work better.”
‘Without (research), Nova Scotia hospitals would still be needing hundreds of beds.’
Dr. MARTIN ALDAClinical psychiatrist