Introducing psychiatric rehabilitation at a psychiatric facility in Pakistan

Using Web-based educational software, Skype, e-mail, and periodic on-site visits, faculty members from a U.S. university have been providing consultation and training in psychiatric rehabilitation and evidence-based practices (EBPs) to the staff of a psychiatric inpatient=outpatient facility in Karachi, Pakistan. A 15-week didactic training session in psychiatric rehabilitation principles and practices was followed by an assessment of five EBPs for possible adoption with revisions. The assessment resulted in the implementation of illness management and recovery groups, which have had a positive impact. Initial progress suggests that long-distance psychiatric rehabilitation training can benefit implementation efforts when combined with programmatic initiatives, ongoing support, and periodic site visits.