A Queen Mary University of London academic and leading researcher in socio-cultural influences, health inequalities and public mental health has been appointed Editor of the British Journal of Psychiatry (BJP) – one of the world’s most respected medical journals.
Professor Kamaldeep Bhui is Professor of Cultural Psychiatry and Epidemiology at the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, part of Queen Mary’s medical school, and an Honorary Consultant with East London NHS Foundation Trust.
His research at Queen Mary includes studies on unexplained medical complaints, chronic fatigue, dementia in South Asian populations, mental health act detentions and ethnic inequalities of pathways to care, racism, discrimination, friendships and support, poor housing, violence and public mental health. His focus is on how the best quality care, safety and access to treatment can be achieved in services, and how to encourage resilience and wellbeing in the population.
Professor Bhui’s clinical work includes socially excluded groups, such as the homeless or asylum seekers, in some of the most deprived areas in the UK. His current post involves assessment and treatment of people with complex personality disorders alongside other psychiatric and social problems.
Professor Peter Tyrer of Imperial College London has stepped down from his position as Editor, following 10 years of service.
“I'm delighted and privileged to be editor of BJP,” says Professor Bhui. “It is one of the leading scientific journals for publishing research on psychiatric disorders, psychiatric illness, mental health and wellbeing. The journal publishes cutting edge research on innovative and new treatments and mental health care organisation in general.”
Professor Bhui acknowledges that while treating patients has advanced significantly in the last 100 years, “there is still a long way to go”.
He explains: “I feel a great responsibility to search out the best science that offers the most hope and positive recovery outcomes. At the same time the field of care for mental illness is rapidly changing with more being done in primary care and the community, and the influence of policy and global movements to protect dignity and rights are also having an impact.”
Professor Bhui explains that good scientific writing should be imaginative and not dull or repetitive: “Science should not be inaccessible so I hope authors will be encouraged to write more creatively and elegantly."
Under Professor Bhui’s leadership, the BJP will focus on publishing cutting edge papers that promise changes to practice and policy, and new research leading to better treatment outcomes.
He also aims to encourage more research spanning the genetic, biological, psychological and social spheres, whilst paying attention to the humanities and arts.
“I think the journal offers evidence for local government, policy makers, and international movements to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities. I would hope to make the journal more readable to all these audiences,” he says.
In addition to his role overseeing the BJP, Professor Bhui will also chair the board overseeing the publication of Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, The Psychiatrist, International Psychiatry, several books, websites, and professional development courses for those in the field of psychiatry.
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