J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.
2000 Jul;39(4):675-679.
The Crisis of Psychiatry: Psychiatric Patients, Quo Vadis?
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Neuropsychiatry, Hanyang University Kuri Hospital, Kuri, Korea.
- 2The Mental Health Research Institute, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- In the year two thousand and following years, there will be tremendous changes in the field of psychiatry. At this critical period, we should rethink the identity of psychiatry. The characteristics and problems of psychiatry in the near future include a) 'mindless' psychiatry confined into the brain cell, b) a continuous evolution of non-psychiatric practitioners, medical or nonmedical, c) the atrophy of psychiatric practice due to economic pressure by society, and d) psychiatric policy of functional diagnostic criteria and guidelines in practice. The above situations can result in a) the more superficial and easy going attitude of psychiatry in practice, b) superficial understanding of patients and inadequate treatment outccome, c) patients' frustration and seeking help from alternative or quasi-practitioners, and tele-psychiatry or cyber space. Psychiatrists' recognition of a crisis, active coping with the problems and harmonized and integrated education were suggested for the better contribution.
