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Roh, Han, Kim, Jeon, Kim, and Kim: Activation Plans for Psychiatric Research
Special Issue

Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association 2014; 53(3): 137-143.

Published online: 29 May 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2014.53.3.137

Activation Plans for Psychiatric Research

Sungwon Roh, MD, PhD1, *, Hyeree Han, MS1, *, Yeni Kim, MD, PhD2, Hong Jin Jeon, MD, PhD3, 4, Tae Kim, MD, PhD5, Hyun Su Kim, BA6

1Department of Mental Health Research, Seoul National Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Child Psychiatry, Seoul National Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul, Korea.

3Department of Psychiatry, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

4Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology, Seoul, Korea.

5Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

6Caleb & Company, Seoul, Korea.

Address for correspondence: Sungwon Roh, MD, PhD. Department of Mental Health Research, Seoul National Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, 398 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-711, Korea. Tel +82-2-2204-0292, Fax +82-2-2204-0280, swroh@korea.kr

Equal contributor:

*Sungwon Roh and Hyeree Han contributed equally to this work.

Received 27 December 2013       Revised 25 February 2014       Accepted 13 April 2014

Copyright © 2014 Korean Neuropsychiatric Association

Abstract

Objectives

Dealing with mental diseases is an overriding concern which could bring about improvement in mental health, social equity, and quality of life. This paper analyzes the current state of research infrastructure of national mental health research in Korea and other developed countries and suggests activation plans for psychiatric research.

Methods

After performance of comparative analysis, shortcomings of Korean infrastructure are examined and activation plans are suggested.

Results

Korea is comparatively and absolutely lagging behind in terms of mental health Research and Development (R&D), owing to the small investment in R&D, inadequate government-led long-term developmental strategy and supporting system, absence of industrialization of developed techniques and government-led R&D project, and insufficient human resources, which impedes facilitation of mental health research. Thus, in order to facilitate mental health research, 1) Reinforce international cooperation and research capability through cultivation of professionals equipped with international competitiveness. 2) Construct a government-led R&D system by establishment of a comprehensive R&D system and mental health research institutes. 3) Build cooperative systems between industry and academic circles and promote translational research and its practical use in order to lay the cornerstone for industrialization.

Conclusion

Developed countries have achieved significant growth and superb investment performance in the mental health industry due to constant and active investment by government. In addition, basic-clinical-mental health research regarding early diagnosis, early intervention, and tailored treatment, is actively being put into practice. In Korea, government-led long-term investment plans in psychiatric research and researcher cultivation programs should be implemented. In addition, infrastructure for application of developed techniques should also be established. If so, it will provide momentum for growth and facilitation of psychiatric research.

Keywords: Psychiatric research, Research and Development (R&D), Activation

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Outlook of major disease burden (Disability-Sdjusted Life Year, DALY).2)
jkna-53-137-g001
Table 1
Major national mental health R&D investment and relative size5)
jkna-53-137-i001

*: Medical Research Council, †: Unit : billion KRW, 1 USD=1073 won, 1 GBP=1720 won, 1 AUD=1014 won, ‡: UK Clinical Research Collaboration (FY 2009/2010). R&D : Research and Development

Notes

The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.

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