Research Projects
20-year outcomes of patients with schizophrenia and Bipolar affective disorders


Programme(s) to which this project applies:
☑ MPhil/PhD ☑ MRes[Med] ☑ URIS

Introduction and purpose of the study: Both schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorders are chronic mental health illness that have significant impact on the quality of life of the patients and their family caregivers. The advancement of interventions and mental health services, including the early intervention services, intend to improve the long-term outcomes of these conditions. The long-term course of these illnesses in current service settings in unclear so as the factors relating to that.

This is an GRF funded study to examine the 20-year course of illness of patients with first-onset schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorders.

Study plan and methodology: Suitable patients will be identified based on our existing first-episode cohort established 20 years ago. Patients will be recruited for a face-to-face clinical and cognitive function assessments and brain imaging scan. Clinical records of the patients will also be accessed to extract relevant information including hospitalization and medication prescription. Comparison between the outcomes, in particular the brain health, between patients with different diagnosis with matched healthy controls will be conducted.

Professor Sherry Kit Wa Chan, Department of Psychiatry

Biography
HKU Scholars Hub
Laboratory Homepage
ORCID
kwsherry@hku.hk

For more information or to express interest for this project, please email the supervisor or the specified contact point in the project description.  Interested candidates are advised to enclose with your email:

  1. your CV,
  2. a brief description of your research interest and experience, and
  3. two reference letters (not required for HKUMed UG students seeking MRes[Med]/URIS projects).

Information on the research programme, funding support and admission documentations could be referenced online at the Research Postgraduate Admissions website. General admission enquiries should be directed to rpgmed@hku.hk.

HKUMed MBBS students interested in the Master of Research in Medicine (MRes[Med]) programme may visit the programme website for more information.  

HKUMed UG students interested in the Undergraduate Research Internship Scheme (URIS) may visit the scheme’s website for more information. 

Research @ Department of Psychiatry