Kerry-Ann Louw

Academic Qualifications

Master of Philosophy (MPhil), specialising in Liaison Mental Health, University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa, 2015. Obtained with distinction for the dissertation component, dissertation title: Correlates of Problem Behaviours in Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Cape Town, South Africa.

Master of Medicine (MMed), specialising in Psychiatry, University of Cape Town, South Africa, 2012. Dissertation title: Prevalence and Patterns of Medication use in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Western Cape.

Fellowship of the College of Psychiatrists of South Africa (FC Psych SA), Colleges of Medicine South Africa, 2011.

Diploma in Mental Health (DMH), Colleges of Medicine South Africa, 2006. 

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), University of Cape Town, South Africa, 2004.

Obtained with first class honours and distinction in the clinical exams.

Matriculation Certificate, Roedean High School, South Africa, 1998.

Obtained with 7 distinctions.

Additional Courses

• Professional Educational Development of Academics, Stellenbosch University, 2018.
• Train Pain Academy Group Interventions Module, Tygerberg Hospital, 2018.
• Postgraduate Supervision in Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, 2017.
• Observership in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, 2015.
• Clinical Educators Course, University of Cape Town, 2013.
• Essentials for the Clinical Research Supervisor Course, University of Cape Town, 2013.
• Clinical Educators Introductory Course, University of Cape Town, 2012.
• Clinical Research Methods Course, University of Cape Town, 2012.
• Clinical Training for the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America, 2009.
• Leading with Intuition, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, 2009.
• Masters of Medicine Research Methods for Registrars, University of Cape Town, 2008.
• Criminology 1, University of South Africa, 2006.

Work Experience

July 2017- Present

Consultant psychiatrist Tygerberg Hospital, senior lecturer Stellenbosch University Department of Psychiatry.

October 2016- June 1017

Consultant psychiatrist Stikland Hospital, senior lecturer Stellenbosch University Department of Psychiatry.

August 2011 – September 2016

Specialist psychiatrist and senior lecturer in the University of Cape Town Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Division of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (CLP).

August 2007 – July 2011

Psychiatry registrar training completed through the University of Cape Town Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health working at Valkenberg Hospital, Groote Schuur Hospital, Stikland Hospital and the Red Cross Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Rotations: 12 months adult psychiatry, 6 months emergency and consultation-liaison psychiatry, 6 months forensic psychiatry, 6 months child and adolescent psychiatry, 3 months neuropsychiatry, 3 months old age psychiatry.

January 2006– December 2006

Community Service Doctor – Ngwelezana Hospital, Empangeni, Kwazulu Natal.

Rotations: 12 months Family Medicine and rural psychiatry experience with general casualty calls.

January 2005 – December 2005

Medical Internship – Katutura State Hospital, Windhoek, Namibia.

Rotations: 4 months Internal Medicine, 4 months Surgery, 2 months Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2 months Orthopaedic Surgery.

January 2005 – December 2005

Volunteer at Harnas Lifeline Bushman clinic in Gobabis Namibia. 

January 2002 – December 2004

SHAWCO (Student Health and Welfare Community Organization) volunteer.

January 2001– December 2001

Chairperson Sarah Fox Children’s Home project and co-chairperson SHAWCO mobile street person clinic project. 

January 2000 – December 2000

Co-chairperson Leliebloem orphanage weekend project and SHAWCO clinic committee member.

January 1999– December 1999

Leiliebloem orphanage life skills programme and SHAWCO health volunteer.

Awards

• Best oral presentation, UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research Day, 2013.
• Certificate of Excellence in Teaching, UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, 2012.
• Valkenberg Hospital above average performance bonus, awarded March 2009.

Academic Presentations

International Professional Conference Oral Presentations

Louw, K-A. (2017). Substance Abuse in Pregnancy- The Medical Challenge. International Society of Obstetric Medicine Congress & Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists World Congress, 20 March 2017, Cape Town International Convention Center, South Africa.

Louw, K-A., Bantjes, J., Breet, E., Pieterse, D., & Lewis, I. (2016). Epidemiology of self-harm and patterns of medical service utilisation by self-harm patients in a South African Hospital. World Psychiatric Association International Congress, 18-22 November 2016, Cape Town International Convention Center, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. Insomnia- A night to remember. (2016). 2nd African College of Neuropsycho-pharmacology Congress, 30-31 July 2016, Spier, Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa.

Bantjes, J., Nel, A., Louw, K., Frenkel, L., Benjamin, E. and Lewis, I. (2015). This place is making me more depressed”: The organisation of care for suicide attempters in a South African hospital. The International Society of Critical Health Psychology (ISHCP). 9th Biennial Conference, 12-15 July 2015, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa.

International Professional Conference Poster Presentations

Pieterse, DI., Hoare, J., Louw, K-A., Bantjes, J., Henry, M., Breet, E. (2018). Methods of deliberate self-harm in a tertiary hospital in South Africa. 6^th Annual Scientific Conference of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine. 27-30 June 2018, Verona, Italy.

Louw, K-A., Breet, E., Bantjes, J. (2017). Health Care Utilization after Suicide Attempts in a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa. 5th Annual Scientific Conference of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine. 29 June -1 July 2017, Barcelona, Spain.

National Professional Conference Oral Presentations

Louw, K-A., Bechan, S., Frenkel, L., Parker, R. Pain Case Studies. PainSA Congress, 18-20 May 2018, Emperors Palace Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2018). Looking After Yourself as a Health Care Practitioner. PainSA Congress, 18-20 May 2018, Emperors Palace Convention Center, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2017). Consent in the Mentally Ill Patient. PainSA Congress, 14-16 May 2017, Century City Conference Center, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2016). Psychiatry and Chronic Pain. PainSA Congress, 13-15 May 2016, Coastlands Umhlanga, Durban, South Africa.

Louw. K-A, Frenkel. L., Parker. R. Van Nugteren, J. (2016). Interdisciplinary Pain Management Team Workshop. PainSA Congress, 13-15 May 2016, Coastlands Umhlanga, Durban, South Africa.

Louw, K-A., Ipser, J., Phillips, N., & Hoare, J. (2015). Correlates of Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Cape Town, South Africa. Biological Psychiatry Congress, 24-27 September 2015, Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2014) HIV, Pregnancy and Mental Illness. South African Society of Psychiatrists Congress, 3-7 September 2014, Southern Sun Elangeni, Durban, South Africa.

Louw, K-A., Bentley, J., Sorsdahl, K. & Adnams, C. (2012). Prevalence and Patterns of Medication use in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Western Cape, South Africa. South African Society of Psychiatrists 17^th Biennual National Congress, 7-11 September 2012, Misty Hills Country Hotel, Muldersdrift, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Other Professional Meetings Oral Presentations

Louw, K-A. Chronic Pain Conditions in Women. (2017). University of Cape Town Women’s Mental Health Symposium, 2 August 2017, The River Club, Liesbeek Parkway, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. Opioids in Non-Cancer Chronic Pain. (2017). Stellenbosch University Addictions Symposium, 26 May 2017, Stikland Hospital Medical Suite, De La Haye Avenue, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. Psychiatry and Chronic Pain. (2017). West Coast and Winelands Mental Health Team meeting, 3 March 2017, Paarl Hospital, Paarl, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2015). Effects of Stress on Health across the Lifespan. Tirisano Training Programme, 10-11 September 2015, Valkenberg Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2015). Psychopharmacological Interventions for Suicide, UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Self-Harm/Suicide Symposium, 5 August 2015, The River Club, Liesbeek Parkway, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A, Frenkel. L, Parker, R. Van Nugteren, J. (2015). Interdisciplinary Pain Management Team Workshop. Pain Management Physiotherapy Group, 12 August 2015, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2015). HIV, Pregnancy and Depression. Post Natal Depression Support Association Workshop, 31 October 2015, Belmont Square Conference Center, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2015). Pharmacotherapy of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. UCT Psychopharmacology Update for General Practitioners, 8-9 March 2015, Double Tree by Hilton Upper Eastside Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2015) Psychiatric Emergencies. UCT Psychopharmacology Update for General Practitioners, 8-9 March 2015, Double Tree by Hilton Upper Eastside Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2014). Medicalization of Happiness. UCT Brain and Behaviour Symposium, 7 October 2014, Valkenberg Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2014). Psychiatric Aspects of Unwanted Pregnancy, UCT Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology academic lecture, 2014, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2014). Psycho-oncology, UCT Department of Radiation Oncology academic lecture, 2014, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2014). DSM-5 Update, UCT Department of Occupational Therapy academic lecture, 2014, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2014). DSM-5 Anxiety Disorders, DSM-5 Update, January 2014, Valkenberg Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2013). Heroin Misuse in Pregnancy. Mother and Baby Friendly Initiative meeting, 2013, Mowbray Maternity Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2013). Prevalence and Patterns of Medication use in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Western Cape, UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Research Day, 2013, Valkenberg Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2013). Mystery of Munchausen Syndrome. UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health academic lecture Valkenberg Hospital, Constantiaberg Hospital academic lecture, Stellenbosch University academic lecture Tygerberg Hospital, 2013, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2012). Adolescents Living with HIV: Chronic Illness and Adaptation, Right to Care Adolescents with HIV Workshop, 2012, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2012). Managing Depression in the Medically Ill.  UCT Psychiatry Update for General Practitioners, 22 August 2012, Upper Eastside Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2012). Antidepressants in Cardiovascular Disease, UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health academic lecture, 2012, Valkenberg Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2011). Psychiatry and Oncology. UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health academic lecture, 2012, Valkenberg Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2011). Psychiatric Medications in the Medically Ill. UCT Psychiatry General Practitioner Update, 2011, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2011). Antiretroviral Adherence in Adolescents with Perinatally Acquired HIV. UCT Department of Medicine academic lecture, 2011, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.

Louw, K-A. (2009). South African Health Care System. Department of Psychology Ohio State University, University of Ohio, Columbus Ohio, United States of America.

Louw, K-A. (2009). Impact of HIV on Perinatally Infected Children, UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health academic lecture, 2012, Valkenberg Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa.

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal Publications

Louw, KA. (2018). Substance Use in Pregnancy: The Medical Challenge. Obstetric Medicine.

Naidoo, P., Sewpaul, R., Nyembezi, A., Reddy, P., Louw, K., Desai, R., & Stein, D. J. (2017). The association between biopsychosocial factors and disability in a national health survey in South Africa. Psychology, Health & Medicine.

Bantjes, J., Nel, A., Louw, K-A., Frenkel, L., Benjamin. E. & Lewis, I. (2016). “This place is making me more depressed”: The organisation of care for suicide attempters in a South African hospital. Journal of Health Psychology.

Louw, K-A., Ipser, J., Phillips, N., & Hoare, J. (2016). Correlates of Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Cape Town, South Africa. AIDS Care.

Louw, K-A., Hoare, J., & Stein, D.J. (2014). Pharmacological Treatments for Hypochondriasis: A Review. Current Psychiatry Reviews.

Louw, K-A., Bentley, J., Sorsdahl, K & Adnams, C. (2012). Prevalence and patterns of medication use in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders in the Western Cape. South Africa. Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health.

Non Peer Reviewed Journal Publications

Van Nugteren, J., Louw, K-A. & Parker, R. (2013). The Management of Nonspecific Chronic Low Back Pain. South African Rheumatology Journal.

Chapters for Edited Volumes

Louw, K-A., Ipser, J.C., Stein, D.J.. (2016). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. MIMS Handbook of Psychiatric Medication 2015/16. (2016). MIMS (Times Media Limited).

Louw, K-A. and Stein, D.J. (2012). Management of Treatment-Resistant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Major Psychiatric Disorders. (2012). Management of Treatment-Resistant Major Psychiatric Disorders. Oxford University Press.

Published Proceedings of Professional Congresses

Louw, K-A., Breet, E., Bantjes, J. (2017). Health Care Utilization after Suicide Attempts in a Tertiary Hospital in South Africa. 5th Annual Scientific Conference of the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine. Journal of Psychosomatic Research. June 2017.

Louw, K-A. (2016). Insomnia- A night to remember. 2^nd African College of Neuropsycho-pharmacology Congress, 2016. Acta Neuropsychiatrica.

Louw, K-A., Ipser, J., Phillips, N., & Hoare, J. (2015). Correlates of Emotional and Behavioural Problems in Children with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Cape Town, South Africa. Biological Psychiatry Congress, 2015. South African Journal of Psychiatry.

Teaching Experience

Postgraduate

• Postgraduate lecturer, Stellenbosch University Department of Psychiatry, October 2016- present.
• Coordinator of the psychiatry registrar part II and exam preparation programmes, Stellenbosch University Department of Psychiatry, October 2016- present.
• Postgraduate lecturer, UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, August 2011-September 2016.
• Coordinator of the UCT psychiatry registrar part I neuroscience programme, August 2011-September 2016.
• Coordinator of the UCT psychiatry registrar part II exam prep programme, August 2011-September 2016.
• Coordinator of the UCT psychiatry registrar part II programme, October 2014- September 2016.
• Coordinator of the UCT psychiatry registrar mentor group, January 2014 – January 2016.
• Member of the UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Registrar Training Committee, August 2011-January 2016.
• Acting Head of the UCT Registrar Training Committee, March 2016 – August 2016.

Undergraduate

• Undergraduate lecturer, Stellenbosch University Department of Psychiatry, October 2016- present.
• Undergraduate lecturer, UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, August 2011- September 2016.
• Member of the UCT Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health Undergraduate Training Committee, January 2012- September 2016.
• Member of the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences Student Development and Support committee, March 2015- September 2016.

Areas of interest

I am passionate about promoting the prevention, early recognition, and management of mental health problems at all levels of health care services and particularly in medically ill patients. I am also passionate about teaching medical students, registrars, and members of the multidisciplinary team. My areas of special interest include medically unexplained symptoms, chronic pain, women’s mental health, psycho-oncology, suicide and deliberate self-harm, psychological responses to illness and psychopharmacology.