Tribute to Professor Jan C. Bastiaans, M.D., 1917-1997
Nicole Maalste
DR. BASTIAANS WILL BE REMEMBERED as a very passionate psychiatrist. At his
funeral, his eldest son reminded us that "daddy" was always busy with his
patients. He was always there for them and played an important part in the
lives of many. Grateful ex-patients tried to keep in touch with him to the
very end; many of them came all the way to the ceremony in his hometown to
bid him final farewell.
IN his eulogy, the Director of Centrum '45 (the national center for
medical and psychological treatment of survivors of World War II and
members of the Resistance) explained that Bastiaans played an important
role in the establishment of broad social recognition of the long-term
effects of the evils of the war.1 Unfortunately, Bastiaans did not
evaluate the effects of his therapeutic work in a scientific way. He
realised this at the end of his career, and tried in 1986 to interest the
Ministry of Health in a study to assess his treatment methods. That is why
he donated his archives to scientific research. Finally, it was decided
that a pilot study should be conducted, to determine if the material lent
itself to evaluation. Researchers concluded that a quantitative
retrospective study was not possible, but a qualitative retrospective
study on the other hand would be desirable, useful and sensible. In this
way it would be possible to collect and document important data about LSD
psychotherapy treatment for severely traumatized war victims in the
Netherlands. Moreover, these hard-to-get data should be protected against
loss.2
Until now, no such study has been undertaken, although many people think
it would be very interesting and worthwhile. Therefore, the cVo-Addiction
Research Institute of Utrecht University prepared a proposal and has
sought funding for it. The central question is to find out how the
Bastiaans' method can be characterized as constructed from the different
data sources available (records, documents, files, notes, audiovisual
recordings, letters, reports, etc.). This can be done by several methods,
such as research into the records and files, interviews with key figures
(experts, colleagues and maybe ex-patients) and analysis of audiovisual
material.
The aim of the study is to contribute to scientific research into the
clinical use of hallucinogens and to prevent the loss of important data
collected by Bastiaans and his staff members. Several organizations and
institutes in the Netherlands are supporting the proposal. A study into
LSD-assisted psychotherapy conducted by Bastiaans is considered relevant
to the treatment of people who struggle with post-traumatic stress
disorder.
At present, the application of this research proposal3 is under
examination by a research foundation at Utrecht University. Additional
funding will be necessary in the future. Readers who may be interested in
contribution to this important study may contact the undersigned or make
donations to MAPS, earmarked for our study. Posthumous respect for Prof.
Bastiaans' scientific insights may then be added to the already existing
respect for his human qualities.
References
- Schreuder, B.J.N. (1997). Ned. Tijdschrift Geneeskunde 1997, 13
December, 141 (50).
- van der Ploeg, H.M., J.W. Reerds, W. Chr. Klijn, J. Mook, P.P. Moorman
(1987). Onderzoek naar de behandeling van oorlogsslachtoffers met
LSD-psychotherapie: een verslag van een vooronderzoek. Leiden:
Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, vakgroep Psychiatrie, Kinder- en
Jeugdpsychiatrie en medische Psychologie.
- Maalste, N.J.M., H.C. Ossebaard (1997). Onderzoeksaanvraag Charles
Wright Mills fonds: De "methode Bastiaans" in retrospectief. Een
inventarisatie en analyse van historisch materiaal met betrekking to
LSD-ondersteundende psychotherapie. Utrecht: Centrum voor
Verslavingsonderzoek, Universiteit Utrecht.
Maalste, N.J.M., H.C. Ossebaard (1997). Proposal to Charles Wright Mills
Fund. Bastiaans' method in retrospective: An inventory study of historical
material concerning LSD assisted psychotherapy. Utrecht: cVo-Addiction
Research Institute, Utrecht University.
Nicole Maalste, cVo-Addiction Research Institute
Bijlhouwerstraat 6
3511 ZC Utrecht
Netherlands
tel: (..) 30 2539301
fax: (..) 30 2534365
E-mail: n.maalste@fsw.ruu.nl
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