dr-y.m. rohanachandra

RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

 

Dr. Y.M. Rohanachandra

Dr. Y.M. Rohanachandra

Senior Lecturer Grade II
Department of Psychiatry

Telephone - Office : +94 11 2758000 Ext: 4551     
E-mail : yasodha_mk@yahoo.com

 

QUALIFICATIONS

MBBS (2nd Class Upper Division - Distinction in Medicine) - University of Sri Jayewardenepura - October 2008

MD (Psychiatry) (Top in the order of merit) - University of Colombo - November 2014

Certificate of Advanced Training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - University of Melbourne - November 2017

 

 

AWARDS

  • 1st in the merit list at the MD Psychiatry examination held in 2014 - I came first in the merit list out of the 22 candidates who passed the MD Psychiatry examination in the year 2014
  • 2nd in the merit list at the MD Psychiatry part 1 examination 2011 - I came second in the merit list out of the 26 candidates who passed the MD part 1 examination in the year 2011
  • Professor Senaka Bibile Scholarship for best performance in Pharmacology for the year 2007 - Professor Senaka bibile was the founder of Sri Lanka's drug policy, which was used as a model for development of policies based on rational pharmaceutical use in other countries as well by the World Health Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Non-Aligned Movement. Each year the Senaka Bibile memorial scholarship is awarded for the best performer in Pharmacology in each of the medical faculties in Sri Lanka.
  • Sri Lanka University Colours for Basketball for the year 2002 - I have represented the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Basketball during years 2002 and 2003 and obtained Sri Lankan University colours for basketball for the year 2002

 

 

FELLOWSHIPS

Recipient of the Fellowship of Dr Ramachandra N Moorthy Foundation for Mental Health and Neurosciences for participating in the 8th Leadership and Professional Skills Course for Early Career Psychiatrists, organized by Dr Ramachandra N Moorthy Foundation for Mental Health and Neurological Sciences & Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programs Geneva, 30th January to 1st February 2020, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.

 

 

RESEARCH

Publications in Peer Reviewed Journals

  1. Dahanayake D.M.A., Rohanachandra Y.M., Wijetunga G.S. Factors affecting age at presentation of autism spectrum disorders:  A descriptive survey from a child mental health clinic at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. SL J Psychiatry 2015; 6(1): 9-13.
  2. Dahanayake D.M.A., Rohanachandra Y.M., Dissanayake A.R.K., Gambheera H.G. An audit on the prescription and administration of ECT at NIMH, Sri Lanka. SL J Psychiatry 2015; 6(1): 22-25.
  3. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Wijetunge G.S. Characteristics of victims of alleged child sexual abuse referred to a child guidance clinic of a children's hospital. Ceylon Medical Journal 2015; 60: 163-164.
  4. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Wijetunge G.S. Dandy-Walker Malformation Presenting with Psychological Manifestations. Case Reports in Psychiatry. 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9104306
  5. Rohanachandra Y.M., Chandradasa W.M.M.L., Hettiarachchi D.B., Fernando W.K.T.R., Gunathilake I.A.G.M.P., Wijetunge G.S. Clinical presentation and comorbidities of obsessive compulsive disorders in children and adolescents presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. SL J Psychiatry 2016; 7(2): 16-19.
  6. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Rohanachandra L.T., Wijetunge G.S. Knowledge about diagnostic features and comorbidities of childhood autism among doctors in a tertiary care hospital. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2017; 46(1): 29-32.
  7. Chandradasa M, Hettiarachchi D, Rohanachandra Y, Wijetunge S. A  one  year  follow  up  study  of  persistent  motor  tic  disorder  treated  with risperidone in a children's hospital in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2017; 46(2): 133-138
  8. Chandradasa M, Rohanachandra Y, Dahanayake D, Hettiarachchi D, Gunathilake M, Fernando R, Wijetunge S. A comparative study on medical comorbidities among children with autism spectrum disorder and controls in a children's hospital. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2017; 46(3):262-266.
  9. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Wijetunge G.S. A case of factitious disorder in a 9 year old girl. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2017; 46(4): 377-378
  10. Rohanachandra Y.M., Prathapan S. Wijetunge G.S. Characteristics of mothers' depressive illness as predictors for emotional and behavioural problems in children in a Sri Lankan setting. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 2018; 33:74-77.
  11. Rohanachandra Y.M., Prathapan S. Wijetunge G.S. Psychological problems and socio-emotional wellbeing among children of mothers with depression and their association with sociodemographic factors in a Sri Lankan setting. Psychiatry Journal. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/psychiatry/aip/3809384/
  12. Pathiraja, R.P., Rohanachandra, Y.M., Kathriarachchi, S.T. and Nishadd, A.A.N., 2018. A descriptive cross sectional study on mental health outcome and perceived care needs following miscarriage in a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 40(4), pp.71-77. DOI:http://doi.org/10.4038/sljog.v40i4.7868
  13. Rohanachandra, Y. M., & Vipulanandan, S. (2019). A case of an unusual presentation of obsessive compulsive disorder in an adolescent. Asian journal of psychiatry, 43, 34-36.
  14. Rohanachandra, Y. M. (2019). Patterns of psychiatric morbidity among children and adolescents presenting to an outpatient child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) in a Teaching Hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka - Challenges and implications for service development. Asian Journal of Psychiatry.

 

Presentations in Local Conferences

  1. Karunatilaka Y.M., Maddumarachchi P.S., Rohanchandra D.W.C.A.L.T., Kulasooriya A.S., Reihan M.T.M., Fernando N. Waste management in a Teaching Hospital in Colombo. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka Medical Association 2007
  2. Dahanayake D.M.A., Rohanachandra Y.M., Dissanayake A.R.K., Gambheera H.G. Audit on Prescription and Administration of ECT at NIMH, Sri Lanka. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2012.
  3. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Dissanayake A.R.K., Gambheera H.G. Survey on Difficulties Encountered in Sending Patients Home after Discharge at NIMH, Sri Lanka. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2012.
  4. Rohanachandra Y.M., Kathriarachchi S.T., Jayasooriya M.V.T., Pathiraja R.P. Anxiety, depression, stress, psychosocial consequences and perceived care needs among patients with spontaneous abortions. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2013.
  5. Hewamadduma S.J., Seneviratne R.M.A.V.L., Rohanachandra Y.M., Padmakumara N.B.N., Wijesiri H.G.V.W., Kathriarachchi S.T. Audit on use of benzhexol in patients at the University Psychiatry Unit, Colombo South Teaaching Hospital, Sri Lanka. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2014.
  6. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Wijetunga G.S. A descriptive study on patterns of presentations to a child mental health clinic at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2015.
  7. Dahanayake D.M.A., Rohanachandra Y.M., Wijetunga G.S. Rapid cycling bipolar affective disorder in adolescents. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2015.
  8. Dahanayake D.M.A., Rohanachandra Y.M., Wijetunga G.S. A descriptive study on factors affecting age at presentation of autism spectrum disorders to a child mental health clinic at Lady Ridgeway Hospital. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2015.
  9. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Wijetunga G.S. A case of factitious disorder in a 9 year old girl. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2016.
  10. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Wijetunga G.S. Dandy Walker malformation presenting with psychological manifestations: A case report. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2016.
  11. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Rohanachandra L.T., Wijetunga G.S. Knowledge about childhood autism among doctors in a tertiary care hospital. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2016.
  12. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Chandradasa W.M.M.L., Hettiarachchi D.B., Gunathilake I.A.G.M.P., Fernando W.K.T.R., Wijetunge G.S. Medical comorbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Sri Lankan Children's hospital. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2016.
  13. Chandradasa W.M.M.L., Rohanachandra Y.M., Hettiarachchi D.B., Gunathilake I.A.G.M.P., Fernando W.K.T.R., Wijetunge G.S. The phenomenology and comorbidities of Tic disorders in Children of Sri Lanka. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2016.
  14. Rohanachandra Y.M., Chandradasa W.M.M.L., Hettiarachchi D.B., Gunathilake I.A.G.M.P., Fernando W.K.T.R., Wijetunge G.S. Clinical presentation & Comorbidities of Obsessive compulsive disorders in Children & Adolescents presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2016.
  15. Rohanachandra Y.M., Prathapan S, Wijetunge G.S., Psychological problems among children of mothers with depression and their correlates. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2018.

 

Presentations in Overseas Conferences

  1. Paul Robertson, Ruchira Goonawardena, Yasodha Rohanachandra, Miyuru Chandradasa, Anuradha Herath, Wajantha Kotalawala. The experience of Sri Lankan Child and Adolescent Psychiatry trainees understating sub-specialty training in Australia. RANZCP Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2017.

 

 

RESEARCH AWARDS

  1. 3rd Place for poster presentation at the Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2015. Dahanayake DMA, Rohanachandra YM, Wijetunga GS. A descriptive study on factors affecting age at presentation of autism spectrum disorders to a child mental health clinic at Lady Ridgeway Hospital.
  2. 3rd Place for poster presentation at the Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2016. Rohanachandra Y.M., Dahanayake D.M.A., Chandradasa W.M.M.L., Hettiarachchi D.B., Gunathilake I.A.G.M.P., Fernando W.K.T.R., Wijetunge G.S. Medical comorbidities of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Sri Lankan Children's hospital. Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists 2016.
  3. Research awards for scientific publications at the Research awards 2015-2018 of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.

 

 

PRESS RELEASES

The study on the “Knowledge about diagnostic features and comorbidities of childhood autism among doctors in a tertiary care hospital” was featured as a press release by the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP). The INASP is an international development charity working with a global network of partners to improve access, production and use of research information and knowledge, so that countries are equipped to solve their development challenges. The press release was published on 11/12/2017.

 

 

OTHER RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

  1. Judging of oral presentations at the International Medical Undergraduate Research Conference 2019
  2. Reviewing University Grants Applications, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura - 2018 (Phase II)
  3. Reviewing of abstracts for International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches (ICMA 2019)

 

 

SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY

  1. Practical Strategies for working with children and young people with ASD: Positive behavioural workshop for clinicians working with clients 5-25 years. - Conducted by Aspect Victoria Positive Behaviour Support programme trainers; 14th October 2016.
  2. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second edition (ADOS 2); 2 day introductory workshop - Conducted by Deborah Sweeney, University of Melbourne; 2nd and 9th February 2017.
  3. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second edition (ADOS 2); Toddler module - Conducted by Deborah Sweeney, University of Melbourne; 18th August 2017.
  4. Engaging infants; an introduction to training in infant mental health - Conducted by Infant Mental Health Service, Royal Children's' Hospital. 16th - 17th February 2017.
  5. Tune into kids; a guide to emotionally intelligent parenting - Conducted by Dr Sophie Havigurst, University of Melbourne; 5th - 6th July 2017.
  6. Family Based Treatment for adolescents with Anorexia nervosa - Conducted by The Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders; 27th - 28th July 2017.
  7. Trauma focused therapy in working with children and adolescents - Conducted by the Centre for Post Traumatic Mental Health, Victoria; 12th - 13th October 2017.
  8. Faculty of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Conference: Growing minds; the early origins of mental health and disorder - 19th - 22nd October 2017.

 

 

SPECIALIZED TRAINING ON TEACHING

  • Certificate of Teaching in Higher Education - From the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
  • Training on Portfolio Assessment - From the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo
  • Examiners training workshop - From the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo