P0298 - The particularity in therapeutic approach with Roma-gypsies in male department in hospital “Dr Laza Lazarevic” in Belgrade

Abstract

During and after the Civil War in former Yugoslavia many various social changes and migrations occured. One of their consequences is the increase of Gypsi-Roma population in Republic of Serbia. At the same time, the incidence of admissions and readmissions of Gypsi-Roma population into the psychiatric hospitals increased, in comparasion both with their participation in overall population and the incidence of admission before the war. Since the war led to economic exhaustion, especialy in social assistance resources, the vulnerability of this social group grew more dramatic. Difficulties in psychiatric treatment also have their origin in the particularites of this population. One of the most frequent demands of the representatives of this minority is the exclusively hospital treatment, on their own or on their families request, not always followed with clinical signs of relapse. This was verified despite the efforts of psychiatric reform and tendencies to reduce the psychiatric hospital treatments. Difficulties in diagnosis and consistent treatment were notified, therefore often psychopharmacotherapeutic resistance.

Variety of symptoms depend on ethnicity, and it is not consistant with diagnostic criteria due to possible pathoplastic moderators. Relaps and non compliance are more likely to occur. Somatic dissorders and illness are often reported and diagnostic by psychiatrist. Difficulties in treatment are sometimes based on the line between their social needs and abuse of psychiatry, since the patients and their families are more likely to show rental claims to illness. These request a complexed, multidisciplinary approach.