Am J Psychiatry 1975; 132:607-610
Copyright © 1975 by American Psychiatric Association
The impact of medical school on future psychiatrists
D Light Jr
Although psychiatry and clinical medicine share ideals about what
distinguishes a good practitioner, medical schools do not select students
on the basis of these qualities. Moreover, they seem to discourage many
interested students from choosing psychiatry. Part of the problem is that
psychiatry is poorly taught. Research suggests that psychiatry can be
better taught and that medical students will be receptive. However, the
clash between the values of technological medicine and psychiatry has
created discouragement, with the ironic result that medical students rate
psychiatrists poorly because they embody the very qualities that
distinguish the good clinician.
