Viewpoint: Methodological Issues in Psychiatry: Psychiatry as an Empirical Science

The paper reflects the empirical position of psychiatry as a research discipline. Principles of empirical research are discussed, such as the generation of empirical hypotheses, the falsification of hypotheses, the logical structure of theories, etc. It is discussed to what extent these principles can be transferred to psychiatric research.

Articles published in the Viewpoint section of this Journal may not meet the strict editorial and scientific standards that are applied to major articles in The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry. In addition, the Viewpoints expressed in these articles do not necessarily represent those of the Editors or the Editorial Board.     

COVID-19: Clinical Challenges in Dutch Geriatric Psychiatry

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyday life tremendously in a short period of time. After a brief timeline of the Dutch situation and our management strategy to adapt geriatric mental health care, we present a case-series to illustrate the specific challenges for geriatric psychiatrists.