NYPH/WCMC physician-scientists present at APA 163rd Annual Meeting

NEW YORK (May 24, 2010) -- Physician-scientists from NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center will present their latest research findings at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in New Orleans, May 22 to 26. Among the most significant presentations are the following:

Funding for at-risk suicide patients better directed to post-hospital discharge care [SCR54]Tuesday, May 25, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Dr. Virginia SusmanAssociate Medical Director and Site Director of Payne Whitney Westchester, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center; Associate Attending Psychiatrist, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center; and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College

Dr. Susman will present findings showing that rates of suicide in at-risk patients are significantly higher (0.03 percent; n=46) within 30 days after being discharged from a hospital stay, than during a hospital admission (0.002 percent; n=3). The researchers pooled data of more than 150,000 patients over six years from five hospitals in the Ivy League Consortium. The researchers conclude that funding should be directed more toward outpatient clinics than to hospital environmental safety measures, which already prove successful based on the current data.

The mind and music of Chopin [Forum 01]Monday, May 24, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.Dr. Richard KoganAssistant Attending Psychiatrist, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center; and Clinical Instructor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College

Dr. Kogan will explore the relationship between composer Frederic Chopin's (1810-1849) psyche and his creative output. Chopin experienced a variety of psychiatric symptoms including panic attacks, phobias, mood swings and hallucinations, yet he possessed a remarkable resilience that allowed him to convert adversity into musical ability.

Treating thinking and memory deficits in HIV/AIDS patients [S60]Tuesday, May 25, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Dr. Stephen FerrandoAttending Psychiatrist, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center; and Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College

Dr. Ferrando will discuss patients with HIV/AIDS who experience deficits in thinking and memory. He will describe problems associated with treating this patient group and offer interventions, like cognitive enhancement medications and behavioral strategies that help to improve patients' quality of life.

Source: New York- Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center/Weill Cornell Medical College