Although it is not officially considered a primary care specialty,
psychiatry is intimately related to training and practice in fields that
are so designated. The primary care physician must have expertise in
interviewing, counseling, psychophysiological disease, dependence
syndromes, etc.--all areas in which psychiatry has a body of knowledge and
intervention techniques. It is recommended that all primary care training
programs develop behavioral objectives in the areas of mental illness and
psychosocial aspects of disease; active liaison and consultation with
departments of psychiatry should be an integral part of these programs. The
author presents suggestions for possible program design and notes that the
relationship between psychiatry and primary care specialties is a
continuing challenge to the field.Abstract Teaser