Healthy Skepticism Library item: 5745

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Publication type: media release

Call for papers – Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health : Special Issue Fall 2007, on “Medications and Mental Health: Promoting Autonomy, Self-Management, and Alternatives”
Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health 2006 Jul 31
http://www.wlu.ca/cjcmh

Full text:

Call for papers – Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health
Special Issue Fall 2007, on “Medications and Mental Health: Promoting Autonomy, Self-Management, and Alternatives”

Guest editors:
Francine Dufort Collaborative Research Program on the Medication Cycle and School of Psychology, Université Laval, Laval, QC

Danielle Papineau Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, B.C.

Policy makers, professionals and community members underscore the key role of citizens as autonomous and responsible decision makers when selecting medication as a treatment modality. Nevertheless, the principle of promoting autonomy and self-management is often set aside in favor of upholding optimal adherence to the pharmaceutical treatment regimen. Further, the responsibilities of other key stakeholders in the medication lifecycle1 (physicians, pharmacists, the pharmaceutical industry and media) are seldom explored in depth, nor are they linked to a search for additional or alternate treatment modalities and solutions. In the area of community mental health, there are many additional challenges for the different groups involved in the medication life cycle, resulting in barriers to autonomy and free choice of treatment selection. For example, sizeable challenges occur for those whose chronic disease (AIDS, diabetes, etc) results in psychosocial issues that are not identified or addressed. Others may be temporarily unable to make informed choices when confronted with deep psychic pain. They need appropriate support at suitable time intervals to promote autonomy in selecting treatment modalities over the long term.

The special issue on “Medications and Mental Health: Promoting Autonomy, Self-Management, and Alternatives” is an opportunity to showcase community interventions that promote new ways of conceiving and understanding the practices guiding the prescription and use of medication. The special issue is also an occasion to describe new practices relating to medication use, to propose and detail complementary approaches to treatment or alternatives to medication. This issue notably targets initiatives designed through interdisciplinary action research methods and approaches that critically examine the concepts of “autonomy,” of “taking responsibility,” of “optimal use of medication,” and of “alternate solutions.”

The deadline for paper submission is November 15, 2006. In preparing papers, please follow the instructions to contributors in the most recent issue of the Journal or go to our website at http://www.wlu.ca/cjcmh

Please send the paper by email to Prof. Francine Dufort at the following address: francine.dufort@psy.ulaval.ca