The Changing Nature of Psychiatry

Abstract

The traditional role of psychiatrist as the central figure in the delivery of mental health services is changing. First, the advent of structured diagnostic interviews means that the diagnosis of mental disorders is no longer the exclusive preserve of psychiatrists; second, the growth of community mental health services staffed by non-psychiatrists means that psychiatrists now treat a minority of the patients with mental disorders; and third, the psychiatrists' continued endorsement of dynamic psychotherapy means they are becoming identified with an unproven and very expensive treatment. These changes should be seen against the broader background of a profession that is well-trained, active in evaluating performance, supported by a burgeoning research base in cognitive science and neuroscience, and delivering services efficiently and inexpensively.