The author cites significant changes in the conduct of the psychiatric
profession between the fourth and ninth decades of this century.
Determinants of the changes included the impact of World War II, the
National Mental Health Act of 1946, the evolution of multiple modes of
psychotherapy, the move from a system of involuntary incarceration and
treatment in public institutions to a voluntaristic and pluralistic system,
the provision of public and private insurance support for office,
outpatient, and inpatient psychiatric care, the resurgence of
psychopharmacology, and the pursuit of research in biological and
psychosocial fields. The social goals of the profession are also
discussed.Abstract Teaser