The Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital of Athens is a public psychiatric hospital located in Chaidari, Athens, Greece. Founded in 1887, it is one of the largest and oldest psychiatric institutions in the country. It provides inpatient and outpatient mental health services to adults, including diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation for various mental disorders.

Mission and Services:
The hospital aims to offer comprehensive mental healthcare services that adhere to high standards of quality and respect for patients' dignity. It provides a range of services, including:

• Inpatient care: For individuals requiring intensive treatment and 24-hour supervision.
• Outpatient care: For individuals who can be treated while living in the community.
• Emergency psychiatric services: For individuals experiencing acute mental health crises.
• Specialized units: Catering to specific patient groups, such as forensic psychiatry and addiction treatment.
• Rehabilitation programs: To help patients regain their independence and reintegrate into society.

Challenges and Developments:
The Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital, like many public healthcare institutions, has faced challenges related to funding, staffing shortages, and infrastructure limitations. These challenges have sometimes impacted the quality of care and working conditions. However, efforts have been made to address these issues, and the hospital continues to play a vital role in providing mental healthcare services to the population of Athens and beyond.

These services are tailored to address specific psychiatric conditions, age groups, and therapeutic approaches. Some of the specialized services provided by the hospital include:

1. Adult Psychiatry Services: This is the core service of the hospital, offering assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation for adults suffering from various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

2. Geriatric Psychiatry Services: Specialized care for elderly patients with mental health issues, including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, late-onset depression, and other age-related psychiatric conditions. This service often involves multidisciplinary teams that include geriatricians, psychiatrists, nurses, and therapists experienced in geriatric care.

3. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services: Dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in children and teenagers, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, conduct disorders, and eating disorders. This service employs a developmental approach and involves close collaboration with families and schools.

4. Addiction Treatment Services: Offers specialized treatment for substance abuse and addiction, including detoxification, rehabilitation, and aftercare programs. This service may also address behavioral addictions such as gambling addiction.

5. Eating Disorders Unit: Provides specialized care for individuals with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Treatment typically involves a combination of medical care, nutritional therapy, and psychological support.

The quality of care at Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital of Athens is a complex issue with varying perspectives and experiences:

Positive aspects:

• Specialized services: The hospital offers a wide range of specialized units and programs, catering to diverse patient needs, including forensic psychiatry, addiction treatment, psychogeriatrics, and child and adolescent psychiatry.
• Research and education: The hospital engages in research activities and collaborates with other institutions, contributing to advancements in mental health knowledge and treatment approaches.
• Community outreach: The Community Mental Health Center provides valuable outpatient services to the local community, promoting accessibility to mental healthcare.

Challenges and areas for improvement:

• Funding and resources: Like many public healthcare institutions in Greece, the hospital faces challenges related to funding constraints and limited resources, which can impact staffing levels, infrastructure, and the availability of certain treatments.
• Staffing shortages: The hospital has experienced staffing shortages, particularly among nurses and specialized mental health professionals, which can affect the quality and continuity of care.
• Infrastructure and facilities: The hospital's infrastructure and facilities are aging, and some areas require modernization and renovation to provide a more comfortable and therapeutic environment for patients.
• Patient experiences: Some former patients and their families have reported concerns about the quality of care, citing issues such as overcrowding, inadequate communication, and limited access to individualized treatment plans.

Strategic Goals:

1. Enhancing the quality of care: The hospital likely aims to continuously improve the quality of its services by adopting evidence-based practices, investing in staff training and development, and upgrading its facilities and equipment.

2. Expanding access to mental healthcare: The hospital may seek to increase access to mental healthcare for underserved populations, such as those living in remote areas or facing socioeconomic barriers. This could involve establishing satellite clinics, telepsychiatry programs, or community outreach initiatives.

3. Promoting mental health awareness and prevention: The hospital likely plays a role in raising awareness about mental health issues, reducing stigma, and promoting preventive measures to reduce the burden of mental illness in society.

4. Fostering research and innovation: The hospital likely aims to contribute to the advancement of mental healthcare through research and innovation. This could involve participating in clinical trials, collaborating with academic institutions, and developing new treatment approaches.

Purpose:

The overarching purpose of the Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital of Athens is to serve as a leading provider of mental healthcare services in Greece, offering comprehensive and compassionate care to individuals with mental illness, promoting mental health awareness and prevention, and contributing to the advancement of knowledge and treatment in the field of psychiatry. The hospital aims to create a supportive and therapeutic environment where patients can receive the care they need to recover and live fulfilling lives.

The Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital of Athens, also known as the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, has a long history of contributions to psychiatric care and innovation since its establishment in 1887. Over the years, it has implemented several pioneering treatments and therapeutic practices influenced by leading European trends in psychiatry.

One notable achievement is the adoption of modern psychiatric practices and biological therapies, such as the malaria fever cure for neurosyphilis, introduced in the 1920s, and insulin coma therapy in the 1930s. These were significant advancements in the field of psychiatry at the time.

Additionally, the hospital has been involved in numerous research projects and has collaborated with various foundations and organizations, including the Greek Ministry of Health, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, and the Bodossaki Foundation. These collaborations have supported the hospital's mission to provide comprehensive mental health care, including primary, secondary, and tertiary services.

The Dromokaiteio Psychiatric Hospital has also been recognized for its community services and efforts to integrate patients into society through various rehabilitation and support programs.