Organizational Consultation in a Combat Unit
DOUGLAS R. BEY JR. M.D.1, and
WALTER E. SMITH M.A.
1 Franklin Avenue Medical Center, 900 Franklin Ave., Normal, Ill. 61761
The authors describe a method of unit consultation employing a paramedical participant observer that was developed and used successfully in a combat division in Viet Nam. Consultation made the unit's problems legitimate ones for discussion, provided an opportunity for expression of frustrations, opened up communication between levels of command, and brought the unit members together. The authors suggest that this approach may have wider application in military psychiatry and in civilian community psychiatry.
