President Message
Dear Members
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support and cooperation in the activities of our Society.
My name is Katsuharu Nishimura of Tokyo Women’s Medical University, and I have had the honor of serving as President of the Japanese Society of General Hospital Psychiatry (JSGHP) since October 25, 2022. I am now entering my second term, having first assumed this role in November 2020. I look forward to your continued support.
Following the Extraordinary Council Meeting, all officers for the current term have been appointed, and the committee structure has largely been finalized. I am pleased to provide this update and to offer a few remarks at the launch of our new leadership team.
Over the past two years, JSGHP has undergone a substantial generational transition. These years have also been marked by repeated waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, which profoundly affected healthcare systems and society as a whole. Under such challenging circumstances, our members demonstrated the highest standards of expertise in general hospital psychiatry and consultation-liaison psychiatry and devoted themselves tirelessly to patient care. I would like to express my deepest respect and appreciation for your efforts.
During these two years, JSGHP has achieved several important milestones.
First, the certification of our subspecialty training program.
In March of last year, the Psychiatric Subspecialty Board (PSSB) granted conditional approval of our General Hospital Psychiatry Specialist qualification (commonly referred to as the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Specialist) as a recognized psychiatric subspecialty certification. This recognition reaffirms our Society’s responsibility as a key specialty area within Japanese psychiatry. While several challenges remain, we will continue our efforts to further develop and refine the program. I encourage all members to continue contributing to the clinical practice, research, and education of general hospital psychiatry and consultation-liaison psychiatry.
Second, the development of recommendations regarding the future direction of the Society.
To support the next generation who will lead the future growth of JSGHP, we compiled Recommendations on the Future Vision of the Japanese Society of General Hospital Psychiatry (Future Vision 2022). This document was authored by 53 members selected from various Society committees. It will soon be published in our official journal and made publicly available. I hope you will take the opportunity to read it.
Third, the expansion and revitalization of committee activities.
More members than ever before participated actively in committee activities during this term. In addition, four new committees were established: the Future Vision Committee (time-limited), the Early Career Committee, the Perinatal Mental Health Committee, and the Alcohol and Addiction Committee. The clinical, research, and educational responsibilities of our Society continue to expand and diversify. I look forward to seeing these committees make further significant contributions in the years ahead.
Over the next two years, Vice President Naoko Satake, Secretary General Shinichiro Inoue, 19 Board Directors, 2 Auditors, and I will work together to lead the Society toward further growth and development. We are committed to carrying out our responsibilities with both diligence and a sense of urgency.
I sincerely appreciate your continued support and cooperation.
February 6, 2023
Katsuharu Nishimura, MD, PhD
President
Japanese Society of General Hospital Psychiatry (JSGHP)