Belgrade, January 29, 2010 – The symposium titled “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Current Trends in Research and Treatment” was organized by the Psychiatry Clinic of the VMA, the Serbian Psychiatric Association, and the Psychiatry Section of the Serbian Medical Society. Over 400 psychiatrists and mental health professionals from healthcare institutions across Serbia participated.
Leading experts in the field of PTSD also contributed to the event.
Among the active participants and plenary speakers was the President of the National Assembly of Serbia, Prof. Dr. Slavica Đukić-Dejanović.
The symposium was opened by the Head of the VMA, Major General Prof. Dr. Miodrag Jevtić, who emphasized that the specialists at the VMA and healthcare professionals in Serbia have the task and responsibility to assess the present and design a healthy future for the population. “One of the major problems our population faces after all the trials of the last decade of the 20th century is post-traumatic stress disorder. Experts at the VMA, by virtue of their affiliation, have vast experience working with individuals who have directly faced the horrors of war, and they wish to share this experience with colleagues in civil healthcare, as well as with experts from around the world, because there is a strong interest for collaboration in military health institutions globally,” said General Jevtić, wishing success to the symposium participants.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health of Serbia, the State Secretary, Mr. Periša Simonović, greeted the attendees and expressed his satisfaction that such a gathering was held at the VMA, a prestigious national healthcare institution where experts have always generously shared their unique knowledge in the service of public health. Simonović also pointed out the scale and significance of the PTSD problem in Serbia today.
Prof. Dr. Miroslava Jašović-Gašić addressed the participants on behalf of the Association of Psychiatrists of Serbia, thanking the VMA for its significant contributions to the development of Serbian psychiatry, collegial approach, and exceptional collaboration with professionals from other institutions.
Plenary lectures were delivered by Colonel Doc. Dr. Radomir Samardžić, who spoke on traumatic stress in the 21st century, Academician Prof. Dr. Dušica Lečić-Toševski, and Prof. Dr. Slavica Đukić-Dejanović. The topics of their presentations covered traumatic stress in the 21st century, the challenges of war and peace for psychiatrists, and new pharmacotherapeutic approaches to treating PTSD.
The symposium’s proceedings were divided into two thematic sessions, where the latest trends and research results on PTSD were presented, along with specific aspects of the issue. Two roundtables were also held, during which the therapy for psychotic and depressive disorders was discussed. The panel discussion, moderated by Prof. Dr. Željko Špirić and Colonel Doc. Dr. Radomir Samardžić from the VMA, focused on the constructive reintegration and psychosocial rehabilitation of war veterans in Serbia.
The symposium was opened by the Head of the VMA, Major General Prof. Dr. Miodrag Jevtić, who reiterated that the professionals at this institution, as well as healthcare workers in Serbia, have the responsibility to assess the current situation and shape a healthy future for the nation.
